Creating a pet-friendly kitchen is a new trend. It’s hard to believe that not so long ago, most dogs lived outside in doghouses and a pet-friendly kitchen was not even a consideration. Today, however, homeowners are looking for stylish ways to accommodate furry family members, even in the place where we prepare and eat food. Yes, even the kitchen can be a dog and cat-friendly zone.
“You can have a beautiful house and a pet, too,” says Julia Szabo, pet columnist for the New York Post and author of Pretty Pet-Friendly: Easy Ways to Keep Spot’s Digs Stylish and Spotless. Julia says that when creating a pet-friendly kitchen, the floor is the first and most important consideration. Bare floors are the way to go, but bare doesn’t have to be boring. Painted concrete is lovely and durable, as are terrazzo and brick.
Hardwood and bamboo floors are also good but be warned that dogs with scratchy paws are likely to leave their mark on softwoods. Radiant heat flooring is a boon all around—energy efficient and a dog favorite. The Stockholm Savanne Rug is actually a dog-friendly Swedish floor mat made of recycled plastic strips. It comes in six colors and seven sizes, and ranges in price from $60 to $240 and is totally machine washable and resistant to mold.
Keep kibble easy-to-access but still out of sight with roll-out bins. You can even organize a specific pet cabinet to hold medicines and vitamins, toothbrushes and paste, flea and tick medicines, waste bags, grooming tools, treats, food and even your pet’s medical records.
Moving the trash to a closed cabinet is also a good idea as items in the trash, such as chicken bones, plastic wrappers, sponges, Brillo pads, and more can be hazardous to your pet., ideally, install a base cabinet with a trash pull-out accessory that will conveniently fit below the sink. A two-can model will hold both recyclables and trash.
A simple change from gas or electric cooking to induction can prevent serious injury. An induction burner will only heat up when there’s a pot covering it. It will also cool faster than an electric or gas burner. If changing your range or cooktop is not an option right now, and you have a curious cat, keep the burners covered when they’re not in use.
Read HGTV’s “9 Tips for a Chic, Pet-Friendly Home” for even more ideas on creating a pet-friendly kitchen. If you could see yourself and your beloved pet living in Santa Barbara, I am here to help. Check out my website for more information on this and other amazing properties currently on the market in Montecito and the surrounding communities. Then give me a call at 805.886.9378 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com.