National Pet Month: Creating the purrfect pet palace

Anyone with pets will tell you that their pets are their pride and joy, they get the best of everything they’ve got and often end up with a more pampered life than their humans. And why shouldn’t they? Pets are super cute and make the perfect companion!

In honour of National Pet Month, we’ve rounded up some of the top things you can do to your home to make it your pet’s purrfect home too. There’s ideas for current and soon-to-be pet parents.

Cat flap installation

Cat flaps are the ultimate accessory in cat independence. There are so many different styles to suit your cat, and of course, your home. From a standard classic cat flap to the more advanced infrared, magnetic and microchip flaps, a cat flap will provide your cat with the freedom to come and go as it pleases, as well as offering you peace of mind that once they’re home at night, they’re safe.

To determine your cat flap installation cost, you must consider the size, type and complexity of the job to install. On average, a cat flap installation project costs £100.

Dog flap installation

Of course, dogs can get in on the independent action too!

If you have a small or medium-sized dog, you might be considering installing a dog flap in your home to give them some extra freedom.

Like cat flaps, there is a wide range of flaps available, from basic flaps that you can lock manually to modern microchip-detecting dog flaps. Installing a microchip dog flap will take away the worry of other unwanted animals getting into your home.

The cost of installing a dog flap will depend on the size you need. Installation of a small dog flap (up to 20cm x 15cm) will cost around £160. Fitting a medium dog flap (up to 30cm x 20cm) will cost on average £240. And for a large dog flap, the price of installation is in the region of £280.

The dog flap should be about two inches larger than the height and width of your dog to ensure they have easy access. There are many benefits of a dog flap, including:

• Convenience – especially if you’re working from home and have to get up and down to let the dog out.
• Stimulation – your dog can freely explore the inside and outside.
• Less door damage – with a dog flap, your pooch is less likely to scratch the door to be let out.
• Fewer accidents – they can go outside to the toilet as they please.

Dog shower installation

Make your dog the most pampered pet in town by fitting a dog shower.

Dog showers have become a popular addition to utility rooms, mostly thanks to several Instagram influencers. They’re not only a nice feature for your furry friend but they make your life easier – have you ever tried carrying your dirty, soaked pup upstairs after a walk? It’s soggy work stopping them from shaking when they step in the front door and then carrying them upstairs to plop them into the bathtub.

A dog shower means you can keep the mud and muck contained in a single area. Minimal hassle to you and no more sharing your nice bath or shower with a muddy pooch.

There are so many styles to choose from, and it’s important to think about the size and nature of your dog when installing your dog shower. If you have a big dog, why not opt for a step-in shower? Or, if you have a small dog that can be easily lifted, perhaps an elevated tub would be more practical.

If you really want to pamper your pooch (or make your life that little bit easier) we love the idea of building stairs or a ramp to help your dog make their own way up. The options are endless!

Find out more about dog shower installation costs in our handy guide.

Building a dog house

We’re not talking about a dog house for your other half, but for your pooch!

Building a dog house gives your dog a special place to rest on their own, sheltered from the elements and from the hecticness of the home. You can hire a professional to build a dog house based on the size of your dog and what comforts would match their personality. The cost of building a dog house will depend on how big your pooch is, but whatever the size, your four-legged friend will love their independent space.

The average cost to build a dog house in the UK ranges from around £120 for a small dog house, up to about £300 for an extra-large dog house.

Dog-friendly garden ideas

When we introduce a dog into our lives, our garden also becomes their garden. That’s why it’s so important to bear them in mind when designing your garden.

A garden needs to be a safe space for them where they can run about and do their own thing. Here are some top ideas to create a dog-friendly garden:

• Reinforce your garden’s boundaries with hedges or raised beds.
• Plant non-toxic, hardy and tough plants like basil, lavender, rudbeckia, hirta or hardy geraniums.
• Designate a play area and make it as interactive as possible.
• Keep on top of slugs and snails, which are toxic and can infect your pup with lungworm.
• Avoid chocolate-based garden products like cocoa bean based mulch or soils, which are toxic to dogs.
• Secure your sheds and compost bins to avoid accidents or accidental ingestion of harmful toxins.
• Allocate wee areas to avoid yellowing grass.
• Avoid harmful pesticides or chemicals when dealing with pests so your dog doesn’t accidentally ingest them.

For more inspiration, take a look at our dog-friendly garden ideas.

How to remove stubborn dog hair

This one’s for the owners. No matter how much we love our companions, there’s one thing that is annoying and that’s the stubborn hair sticking to furniture. But fear not, we’ve put together a handy guide to show you how to remove dog hair (or cat hair, it will work on both). If things have gotten bad, then it’s worth hiring a cleaner to do a deep clean.

One key tip is to try and prevent excessive shedding in the first place. Healthy dogs will naturally shed hair but with regular bathing (in your handy new dog shower) will ensure that matted fur is removed early on and prevent them from shedding it around the home.

Please note that unless recommended to by your vet, you shouldn’t bathe your dog more than once a week as it can cause their skin to become dry and itchy.

Key takeaways

• When considering new features to add to your home for your pets, consider the needs of both your pet and you and your family. Any changes you make should keep everyone in your household happy.
• If you’re not a DIY expert, then hire a professional tradesperson to turn your home into a pet haven. Some changes you make may be easily changed by yourself, other jobs, like fitting a door flap or building a dog house can be more complex.
• Ensure you have researched about getting a pet before you get one and make sure the environment is right for them.
• Before making any decision on what you wish to do in your home for your pet, take the time to assess how your pet behaves in your home and garden.