February seems to be a month here in Alberta where we celebrate those we love because we have two such holidays within one week of each other: Valentine’s Day and Family Day. There is, however, another kind of love that people celebrate daily and that is the love for their pets! In 2021 the pet industry in Canada was worth around 10 billion dollars. People will spend good money on their pets and this is trending into their homes through Catifying or creating Barkitecture to make life more luxurious for Spot and Mittens.
Yes, Pet-First Architecture is a thing.
People are designing and renovating their homes and considering the needs of their pets in the process. Not just creating spaces in the home and yard, but also custom built and animal friendly furniture and structures throughout.
What is becoming more commonplace is building a dog area connected to or within a mud room. Think dog washing station, a food and drink area, and of course: a cozy nook for napping and looking outside. For dogs that are crate trained, this is the perfect place to store their little home. Having a washable rug will also ensure that muddy paw prints aren’t tracked throughout the house.
Dog doors aren’t the most practical in a climate such as Alberta, so owners are looking at other alternatives, the main choice being a door or gate that opens directly to a dog run for your best friend. This gives them a safe place to run and play, while keeping other unpleasantries away from the rest of the yard. An additional door in the garage, a second back door, or gate off the patio are all being added for just this reason.
Outdoor structures and design are not limited to just dogs. Have you heard of a Catio? It is exactly what you think it is: an outside – but caged – structure for indoor cats. It is designed so they can get outside and climb around but are contained to the property. These can be mounted outside of windows and high up on the house or to a free-standing structure attached to the house.
Of course, climbing and perching structures are also being brought into the house. They are no longer the old cat scratching post with ripped carpet attached to it. Now people are putting up beautiful geometric shelving and tables that act as art work as well as an indoor playground for your cat.
Due to the pandemic, the last couple of years have seen more people working from home and with pets wanting to be near their owners most of the time, the office has also become a haven for pets. Whether it is a bed built into some custom shelves, or a large chair for both you and your pet – the demand for pet friendly offices is on the rise.
And of course, along with all the wonderful things that come along with our pets, we also have some not-so-fun consequences such as hair, dander and various bodily functions…. This however is no deterrent. Air purifiers, easily washed surfaces and floors, and pet friendly furniture will ensure that you have a clean and healthy home for both you and your best friend.
Interested in learning more? Let’s chat about it.
