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Couple on bed with dog-Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home -Richardson Custom Homes-Fort Myers-615x230jpg

Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home

Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home

For many of us, pets are considered family. They bring us unconditional love, joy, and fun, making our lives more complete.

Cute puppy on floor-Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home -Richardson Custom Homes-Fort Myers-300x323jpg

Therefore, many homeowners today are incorporating pet friendly features into their Ft Myers and Cape Coral custom home to make their 4-legged furry family members more comfortable, as well as maintain organization.

Check out these top ideas:

Pet Friendly Feature Washing Station

Have you ever tried to bathe your dog in the tub?  Well, then you understand this can be quite a challenge! 

Dog soapy and drenched from bathing in tub-Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home -Richardson Custom Homes-Fort Myers-300x200jpg

This task typically leaves you with a sore back along with a drenched bathroom to clean up.

One solution is to add a walk-in style shower, perhaps in your mudroom or laundry room. Be sure to include a handheld showerhead to make it easier to rinse your pup.

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A shower station outside is also a popular feature to clean your pets of sand, dirt, and mud before they come inside.

Pet Feeding Station For Your Custom Home

Avoid those trips and spills with a built-in feeding station. One option is to hide them in a bottom drawer you can slide in and out when needed.

dog feeder built in to drawer of kitchen island -Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home -Richardson Custom Homes-Fort Myers-300x399jpg

Another option for those grazers, is an open cabinet space where your pet can have access to their food and water 24/7. Take it to the next level and install a faucet near the pet food station to make it easier to refill water bowls.

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For large dogs, consider elevating the bowls to make them more comfortable, keep the bowls from sliding, and discourage dogs from attempting to dig or swim in their water bowls.

dog feeder station storing bulk food of kitchen island -Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home -Richardson Custom Homes-Fort Myers-236x236jpg

Including a dedicated space for bulk food and supplies to be stored keeps things neat and tidy, so you can feel good about keeping your kitchen in order.

Built In Litterbox Pet Feature

Hiding the cat’s litter box is typically on a cat lover’s wish list.  

Hidden litter box in side table -Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home -Richardson Custom Homes-Fort Myers-300x298jpg

Consider installing it in cabinetry, as a stylish stand-alone piece that doubles as an end table, in faux plants, or as a dedicated area in your mudroom or utility room.

Pet Doors For Your Custom Home

Sometimes doggy doors can be unsightly, so how about building something a little untraditional? Concealing them under the cabinets gives you the flexibility to close it in a pinch.  

Built in doggy door under cabinet-Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home -Richardson Custom Homes-Fort Myers-300x438jpg

Another option is a strategically placed glass doggy door that seamlessly blends in with other windows, which also allows your pet to see outside.

Dog coming in through glass doggy door -Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home -Richardson Custom Homes-Fort Myers-300x400jpg

Custom doors are a great alternative to baby gates to keep your pet in his/her specific area when the need arises.  Consider options like half-height sliding pocket doors, or Dutch doors where the top half of the door is open while the bottom half remains closed.

Pet Friendly Durable Flooring

Opting for a durable floor like a luxury vinyl plank (LVP), tends to be sturdier than traditional floorings like laminate and is known to be scratch and water-resistant.

Dog coming in through hidden doggy door on durable flooring -Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home -Richardson Custom Homes-Fort Myers-300x200jpg

A popular choice, LVP is available in a wide range of colors and designs, including realistic wood grains. Tile and stone work well, too, along with hardwood. Each has its pros and cons.

It is best to discuss your wants and needs with us so we can determine the best option for you.

Two dogs looking forward into a mudroom from a half gate-Pet Friendly Features For Your Custom Home -Richardson Custom Homes-Fort Myers-300x451jpg

We love our furry family members! We understand keeping up with a pet takes work, but we can build features and select materials to pare maintenance.

From remodeling your current home to building the home of your dreams in SW Florida, count on our team to guide you down the right path, ensuring your new Ft Myers, St James City, or Cape Coral home comes to life just as you envision it.

Call (239) 694-8889 to discuss your future home project.

Photos courtesy of chrisleehomes.com and other resources found on this site.

Build your dream on a strong foundation.