Our furry friends bring so much joy into our lives. As a dedicated pet owner, you will want your home to be as comfortable for your animals as it is for you. Thankfully, with some pet-friendly upgrades tailored to their needs, your house can provide a safe, welcoming haven for both pets and people.

Pet Feeding Station

Start by designating an easily accessible, designated feeding area to prevent pets from begging at the dinner table. The experts over at SPAX.us recommend using a kitchen cabinet or freestanding hutch secured to the wall studs with screws. Install pull-out food bins to store kibble bags and automatic feeders. Include elevated food bowls at your pet’s ideal ergonomic height. Use washable mats to catch spills. Automatic water fountains keep water fresh. Timed feeders allow customizable, portioned meal times.

For multi-pet homes, incorporate individual cubbies and bowls to prevent resource guarding. Discreetly tuck away food prep accessories like scoops, supplement jars, and towel hooks. Feeding stations keep mealtime organized and messes contained.

DIY Pet Furniture

Pets need their own dedicated furniture suited for naps, playing, and lounging. Custom build items sized for your pets using plywood, 2x4s, carpet scraps, and soft fabrics. A simple box frame with a plywood top paneled in fabric makes an ideal pet bed. Cut plywood cubes with entry holes for covered hideaway dens. Securely fasten and reinforce all joints with screws.

Upcycle thrift store furniture finds into one-of-a-kind pet pieces. Cut entry holes into the sides of cabinets or dressers to create enclosed dens. Adhere carpet tile samples onto tabletops and shelves to protect surfaces while adding color. Stencil or paint designs onto wooden surfaces before sealing with pet-safe finishes. DIY furniture satisfies your pet’s needs on a budget. 

Scratching Solutions

Protect furniture from cat claws and dogs sharpening nails with designated scratching solutions. Sturdy scratching posts covered in sisal rope or natural tree wood satisfy scratching instincts. Place the posts strategically around the house, especially near furniture you want to protect.

For dogs, secure plywood panels to walls at an angle. Cover panels with removable carpet tile sections. The angled perch mimics lifting a leg on trees. Rotate tiles as needed until pup loses interest in scratching elsewhere.

Litter Box Concealments

Let’s be honest, litter boxes are an eyesore. Discreetly tuck them out of sight in concealed nooks to maintain home decor aesthetic. Cut an entry hole into the bottom half of an old armoire or dresser to create a hidden cave-like interior. Place the litter box securely inside. Alternatively, build a wooden box enclosure with a front cutout for entry. Use curtains, charming fabric, or lattice panels to hide the litter box front. The concealed design keeps odors contained and messy boxes out of sight.

Pet-Friendly Landscaping

Make your backyard a pet paradise with landscapes designed for play, exercise, and curiosity. Grow pet-safe grass varieties and plants. Establish digging zones in garden soil or sand pits to satisfy digging urges without wreaking havoc on lawn and flowerbeds. Install cedar chip mounds, tunnels, and scratching posts set in concrete.

Construct simple agility equipment like low hurdles, ramps, and balancing surfaces from PVC pipe and lumber. Design shaded rest areas and water stations. Scatter toys for interactive play that engages their mind and body. Pet-centric landscaping lets them enjoy the outdoors safely.

Conclusion

Small projects customized for your faithful companions enhance pets’ quality of life while protecting your home. Built with love, DIY solutions show your pets they’re valued family too. Their unconditional love deserves little luxuries like custom furniture, feeding stations, and play areas. With some creativity, both pets and people live happily under one roof.