From cat condos to doggie spas, here’s how local homeowners are renovating with pets in mind

Coco, a 3-year-old domestic longhair cat, climbs the Berber-carpeted walls while Cleo, her 2-year-old, more subdued Ragdoll companion, prefers running across the custom-designed bridge.

They pass the hours munching on cat grass, traversing tall towers, and frolicking in the cat condo Jeannine and Kevin Tait built for them in April 2024.

“These little kitty-cats came into our lives as empty nesters — our four boys are grown now,” said Jeannine. “They are indoor cats and we wanted a space where we could keep them safe if we had large groups of people over.”

With the help of the West Chester-based remodeling firm COCOON, the couple created an approximately 38-square-foot space with 7-foot-high ceilings, as part of a broader basement renovation. Sliding glass doors connect the cat room to the rest of the basement, keeping the cats contained when necessary, while providing a view of their family members when the Taits are socializing nearby.

Pets are not just a consideration, but a priority in many home renovations.

In a recent survey by home design website Houzz, nearly half of respondents said they prioritize pets in their decision-making process when upgrading their home. A third use pet-friendly products and materials and choose a design or functionality specific to their pet.

Built-in pet areas were part of home upgrades for nearly one in 10 renovating pet owners, the study found, with feeding stations and outdoor enclosures topping the list.

Sleeping or relaxation areas, grooming stations, play structures, and litter boxes were also popular.

“We adore our pets and want to make them happy and comfortable,” said Amy Cuker, owner of down2earth Interior Design based in Elkins Park. “But we also want order and beauty in our homes which we can get by planning specific spaces for our pets’ needs.”

Hazel, a 3-year-old mini Bernedoodle in Wynnewood, loves to dig and get her paws caked in dirt or mud. But washing her in the basement utility sink was always a hassle for her owners, Katy and Jonathan Doroshow.

The pup wasn’t a fan of the process either. “Hazel trembled every time we took her down the basement stairs,” said Katy.

Last year during a mudroom renovation, the couple built a dog wash — an elevated tiled shower with a hand sprayer and drain. “This is more open and user-friendly for us to bathe her quickly in a less upsetting way,” Katy said.

Cuker helped the couple design the shower’s height so they wouldn’t have to stoop over while bathing Hazel. They located it next to the laundry area where towels are readily available and can be thrown right into the washing machine.

Working to find the balance between making the bath more hospitable to their dog, while also matching the home’s aesthetic, they chose a shiny white subway tile. Katy has also used the shower for other purposes, including repotting and watering plants and rinsing off her kids’ muddy boots.

Like Hazel’s mudroom dog wash, even small features and enhancements to functional spaces can make pet care a little less painful.

Custom-designed built-in cabinetry, most often in the kitchen or mudroom, keeps pet bedding, food, toys, and other pet-related essentials organized, out of the way, and easy to use. For example, a pullout cabinet holding a heavy bag of dog food is easily accessible without causing the pet parent to strain their back.

Depending on the specific space, doors can open out or up, drawers can slide out, and cubbies can keep dog crates and beds out of the flow of traffic. Water fillers are also popular in kitchen cabinetry, to eliminate the annoying, sometimes messy task of lugging filled water bowls from the kitchen sink to the pet-feeding area.

It’s difficult to estimate costs, as every job is different. Custom cabinetry will cost thousands of dollars while ready-made products from sites like Wayfair and big box stores start at several hundred dollars.

“We talk to the owner to figure out how they live, how they care for their pet, and what their needs are,” said Cuker. “We can create zones of activity within built-ins to maximize function.”

Homeowners should be sure cabinets close securely so the pet can’t open them to reach what’s inside, Cuker said. That’s also true for other tempting treats, including garbage and people food.

“We had a free-standing garbage can with a pedal and a dog who could get into it,” she recalled. “That’s a consideration in overall kitchen design.”

When creating pet-dedicated spaces, homeowners should be mindful of the floor material.

A dog wash area, for example, needs durable tile or laminate flooring to handle moisture and smells. Smaller tiles surrounded by grout are easier for pets to grip, and high-pile carpeting, vs. a loop, will hold up better to animals’ nails, said Evangeline Esposito, interior designer at COCOON.

Cabinetry should be painted or stained in a durable way with a clear protective coat on top. The inside should be easily wipeable.

“In mud rooms you’d want durable materials on your floor anyway, because you’re coming in with wet shoes,” Cuker said.

Renovators should make sure plumbing and electricity are accessible where needed. In the Taits’ cat condo, for example, electrical outlets were necessary for the cat water fountain and automatic litter box.

“They are members of the family,” said Jeannine. “It’s a labor of love.”