When Is National Pet Day…?
Loretta’s Labs - Purple Pig Interiors.com
Get Set, Ready….National Pet Day is here.
Did you even know there is such a thing as National Pet Day?
We have had our dogs for some years now and never heard of it. It turns out National Pet day falls on April 11 every year since 2006 and was created by pet and family lifestyle expert Colleen Paige. Colleen’s mission was to have people “Adopt Not Shop”, to draw attention to the ongoing needs of pets in shelters waiting for adoption, and to advocate against animal cruelty.
Pets play an important part in the lives of many people. Whether a dog, a cat, a rabbit, or a bird. They are great companions. They comfort us. They teach our children about responsibilities and caring for other living things. Dogs need to be walked and exercised every day thereby adding a health benefit for us.
And, nothing is more welcoming than your furry pal waiting patiently for you to come home and wagging his or her tail when you walk in the door. Unconditional love - at all times.
Many pet owners do something special for their pets on National Pet Day. They purchase a toy or two, get special treats, or go for a nice long walk. Lots of people also donate to their favourite or local pet charity on this day.
How To Make Life Easier For Your Pet
To make life a little easier for your furry friend, check out the true-and-tested accessories you can get these days to make your pet’s a little easier: from special orthopedic bedding for your arthritic dog to a built-in hideaway for your cat. Or how about angled or elevated bowls so drinking and feeding become easier? A safe harness to take your dog for a walk to prevent neck injuries. And, a water bottle with a container attached when the weather turns hot, is a must-have.
These are some of the products we found on Amazon for reasonable prices! We tested all of them and love them for our own pets! Click on the images to get you to Amazon.
Note: where no source is mentioned the origin of the images has been Pinterest. Research of these images did not provide the original source. If the original source is known, please let us know, so we can correct this omission. We believe in credit where credit is due!
Where to Put your Pet?
Many people like to provide a special resting place for their pets. Dogs in particular like a routine and they like your company at all times. They can usually be found close to where you are, whether that’s in the kitchen, living room, or bedroom. Cats, on the other hand, are all over the place, and like more challenging spots to spend their time.
As part of the family, our pets need their own spot for eating, chilling, and sleeping. Just like we do! Our homes are typically designed and/or decorated around the people in our families and afterthought is given to our pets. A dog bed here, a cat climbing tower there…
But, what if you could make your pet’s special place something truly outstanding by incorporating it right into the design of your home? Here are some suggestions to get your creative juices flowing.
Pet-friendly Interior Design Ideas
Kitchen
Do you spend lots of time in the kitchen? And, your pet is too?
A dog bed incorporated under a kitchen island or in the space of a couple of under-counter cabinets can provide a safe, cozy spot for your pet. If your dog requires a gated spot to keep him safe plan a spot for him under a pantry cabinet as shown in the image below. And, if you are having challenges finding a good spot for your cat’s litter box, what about this little hiding place under the sink? Doors with a cat cut-out for easy in-and-out. We promise you will never forget to clean that litterbox!
Family or Living-Room
When watching a show your pet wants to be near you, guaranteed. If your pet is not allowed on the furniture, here are some alternatives to make sure that she is nearby and comfortable.
Plan a built-in window seat for your pet. With two library cases on either side of a window and a window seat in between, not only does the wall get a beautiful look, your pet gets his very own spot near you.
Do you remember those round, ancient, nearly antique solid wood side tables frequently found in people’s homes? These make perfect pet beds. Take off the doors and finish the edge with French nailheads, sand and paint the inside and outside of the unit, add a glass top and that ugly side table becomes the perfect place for your pooch. Finish the inside by adding some batting to the walls, cover with a coordinating fabric and add a custom cushion and your pet is ready to ‘move in’.
We love the drum (above bottom right)! Cut in half and outfitted with legs and a super comfy cushion, this drum looks so comfortable for a cat or small dog. How creative is this!
Don’t you just love the cat beds above…? Cats love to hide. Nothing like a ‘sleeping bag’ in the form of a banana. Or, an old night table transformed into a cat hide-away. As we all know, cats can jump pretty high. What’s stopping you from making a macrame perch you can hang on a wall or in front of a window, so your cat can oversee his kingdom or the birds outside! Plus macrame is all the rage again! You’ll be so up-to-date…
Staircase
The area under a staircase is often neglected space. It can so easily be made into a special spot for your dog. Take a look at the ideas we have posted here. We found some that we thought were so over the top: from elaborately decorated spaces with rooflines, tile cladding and wall sconces, to elegant little high-aways. The ideas shown below are terrific additions to any home. Whatever you choose, this space can be made into a great little spot for your pet.
Laundry Room
Laundry rooms are popular places for pet owners to have their dogs and cats rest. Cabinet built-in dog beds provide walls and a ‘roof’ over a dog’s head to give the feeling of security. The space under a folding area can be easily converted into a gated kennel for training and security purposes.
It is not uncommon for people to add a dog shower in the laundry room so they can wash their dog easily and with little hassle. Particularly if the laundry room also functions as a mudroom. We have put in a number of dog showers in our projects in the past few decades. Nothing will be easier to bring your pet in with muddy feet and clean them right there and then.
Bedroom
Are you a pet owner who allows your pet to sleep with you in your bedroom? We do! We even allow our pets on the bed (albeit with a special cover to make sure our own bedding does not get soiled from our pet’s oily fur).
However, we also know of pet lovers who do not allow their pet on their bed, or who do not have the space on their bed for an additional body! For these people converting a large-scale night table to a dog bed can be just the right thing. In the left image above, an old night table has had its doors removed and was painted a lovely teal blue colour to not only function as a night table. but also as a dog bed. The image on the right shows an armoire style built-in with a dog bed at the bottom. Another splendid application! Out of the way, no tripping hazard, yet cozy and safe for your pet.
Furniture Style Pet Beds
If none of these solutions appeal to you or if they are not practical, you might want to consider an actual piece of furniture for a dog or cat bed. A piece that can be moved around if necessary. We found some adorable and chic pet beds that we want to share with you.
How cool are the two felt tipis for your cats, or the hollow woven hanging ball? One of our favourites is the sofa-style dog bed. Either one of the two featured dog sofas will be an elegant addition to any living or bedroom! The question though is: will your pet like it…maybe by adding a few soft pillows more comfort can be achieved for your pet to burrow into.
Single Flat Beds
Some of today’s pet bedding is really comfortable for your pet. Side bolsters give back support and a secure feeling. Bedding in this style typically has a removable fabric cover for easy cleaning. Some dog beds have an orthopedic design providing extra comfort for dogs with special needs.
Both beds shown below are jumbo beds available on Amazon. With orthopedic memory foam as the base., the Furhaven bed has a quilted top that is removable, and washable. Water-resistant, this bed can be used indoors, as well as outdoors. Click on the image to see the details and price on Amazon.
The Laifugen bed on the right above is made of orthopedic memory foam which will retain 90% of its shape in the first three years. This bed has 4” pillows for neck support and that secure feeling. The bed’s cover is a soft microfiber. It is water and stain resistant and removable. It can be washed in the machine. This bed is also available on Amazon (click the image!) and has over 4000 ratings with 4.5 stars. A star under the jumbo beds!
We hope you will enjoy your special pet day. Let us know if you plan to do something special. Take a photo and send it to us, so we can include it in our new and upcoming readers’ gallery!
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Blue Skies, Jessica & Loretta
