Fur babies are an important part of life. They are members of the family and often receive equal consideration in all family matters. So why not the home’s design?
About 68% of American households have pets. It’s high time your pets figured into your design. The good news is, designers are starting to include features and spaces for pets in their plans.
From a dog bed tucked into the kitchen island to bathing stations in the mud room, keep your pets in mind as you design your home.
The bathroom is a natural place to include design features for your pets. With the right set up, you can have a place to clean your pet, feed your pet, even provide an inconspicuous spot for the litter box. Here’s our top ideas for designing a pet-friendly bathroom.
Fresh Drinking Water
Your pets love fresh, running water; that’s why they’re drawn to the toilet. The toilet is a continuous source of water. But if it drives you nuts that they’ve always got their little heads in the bowl, you should consider a bubbler.
A bubbler is a drinking fountain for pets. It’s connected directly to the plumbing and runs continuously offering that fresh water your pets love so much.
The bathroom is the ideal spot for this since your pets are already accustomed to going to the bathroom to drink. It’s also the perfect place because the bathroom is ready to handle wet situations plus cleans up easily.
Bath Time
Whether or not your pet loves a bath, you can make it easier on yourself with a designated space for pet bathing. Some make pet showers for these in the garage, mud room, or laundry room. Why not consider the bathroom?
The bathroom is already set up with everything you need: hot water, hand shower, waterproofed shower space. You can either turn your shower into a multipurpose area, or make a separate space for your pet.
Hand-held shower attachments are an absolute must in order to give your fur baby a thorough cleaning. Make sure the hose can reach your pet easily (you might want to install the handshower a little lower than usual).
Zero-entry shower and wet room layouts are perfect for pets and their humans. These are completely waterproof areas that are easily accessible (because they have no ledge to climb over).
Soft Close Toilets
Trying to keep your pet out of the toilet? Maybe you worry they’ll accidentally slam the seat closed on themselves. Or perhaps you’re just tired of your pet drinking out of the toilet. You need to install a soft close toilet seat.
The soft close seat has a control mechanism on the hinge that ensures it closes fully and softly every time. Some seats even come with automatic closing features.
You’ll feel better about keeping your pets safe and your home tidy when the seat is down.
Temperature Control
Bathing your pet often requires your full attention and both your hands. Maybe you even need someone to assist you. Have you ever found yourself up to your elbows in suds and your pup threatening to give a big shake and you’re missing something you need?
Maybe the water is too hot or too cold and you can’t reach the faucet to adjust it. This is where the temperature controlled hand shower comes in handy. You can adjust the temperature easily so you can always have the perfect temperature.
Flooring Dance
Besides selecting a water-safe flooring, you should also take into consideration a few other factors for a pet-friendly bathroom.
Ceramic tile is an ideal choice for the bathroom floor, but it can also be slippery to little paws. Select surfaces on which your pet can move easily, and safely. A ceramic tile with a bit of texture does the trick.
Also consider durability when selecting a floor. One that will stand up to water and the demands of a pet.
Hidden Litter Box
What better place to put the litter box than in the bathroom? You don’t run the risk of a mess that’s difficult to clean up. You can simply close a door against smells. Everyone can do their business in the privacy of the bathroom.
Hide the litter box inside a cabinet then add a door so your cat can have his own private space and you can keep it all behind closed doors until you’re ready to change out that litter.
Make your bathroom a haven for your pet, as well as yourself. A few modifications and it can be a space that functions equally well for every member of your family.
