Over the past couple of years more than ever, our furry friends have provided vital companionship and mental support.
Vet charity, PDSA, revealed that almost 90% of UK pet owners feel mentally healthier thanks to their pets in its 2021 PAW report*, highlighting that they really are a human’s best friend.
Research shows that 2022 is the year pet lovers are giving back to their four-legged family members, with Pinterest Predicts revealing that searches for ‘luxury dog room’ are up 115 per cent. This rising trend for incorporating luxury pet-friendly elements into home interiors, otherwise known as ‘barkitecture’, demonstrates that interior-design aficionados are looking to provide the perfect space for their pooch.
Embracing our pets and ensuring a home is designed to suit their needs is important, but with research from PDSA showing the basic lifetime cost of owning a dog could range from around £20,000-£30,000, depending on their size, there are other ways to make your home interior pup-friendly.
PDSA Vet Nurse, Nina Downing, says: “Of course we want the best for our pets, and this means ensuring they have the perfect home where they can feel safe and are cared for. With the cost of living increasing, our pets won’t necessarily appreciate or notice when owners fork out on expensive renovations. Our four-legged friends live their most happy, healthy and fulfilled lives when their welfare needs are met and they get to spend as much time as possible with their owners.
“Dogs can live happily in many different environments, whether that’s a house with garden access or a flat. What’s important is that their good health is maintained, they are allowed to behave as dogs, have the company they crave, are fed the right diet and live in a suitable environment – getting the physical and mental stimulation that’s so important for their wellbeing.”
With this in mind, Nina offers her top tips to help keep your furry friend at their happiest without breaking the bank.
The necessities
“Before spending lots of money on things for your dog, remember the necessities. It’s important to factor in the cost of collars, leads, poo bags and, importantly, preventative healthcare. Your canine companion will need the best quality dog food that you can afford, a complete diet to suit their life stage and breed, fed twice a day and constant access to fresh water – so they’ll need suitable bowls as well. It’s also important to ensure your pet has somewhere safe to rest, whether that be inside or when they’re playing outside. A shelter in the garden is useful to protect from the hot sun or rain showers, so they have somewhere to escape the great British weather extremes.
Safety first
“A crucial part of maintaining a happy home for your furry friend is keeping dangers out of paws’ reach. This includes locking away any hazardous cleaning products – and the same goes for the treat cupboard, as many human foods such as chocolate and raisins can be extremely harmful to four-legged family members. It’s important to bear thought to your outdoor space too, as there are many plants that are toxic to our precious pets.
Home comforts
“Even energetic dogs need somewhere relaxing to curl up after a long day. Wherever you live, ensure they have a nice comfy bed of their own to rest on, with plenty of space for them to stretch out, away from walkways or corridors. Your dogs bed ideally needs to be in a quiet space where they feel safe and can escape to undisturbed – this could be their bed, a crate (if they’re crate trained and happy) or in a quiet corner of your home.
Fun and games
“Finally, a physically and mentally satisfied pup is a happy pup, so in addition to their daily walks, make sure your dog has access to lots of toys. Play is vital for keeping boredom at bay and it also exercises your dog’s mind. There are many interactive toys available that will help to keep their brain active. Throwing toys is great fun for your pooch to chase and retrieve, and it will help to keep them fit – just avoid using sticks as these can cause nasty injuries, and inappropriate sized balls which are a choking hazard. Remember to switch up your furry friend’s toys so they don’t get bored and keep them engaged with games involving tugging, chasing, retrieving and searching – whatever they love best.
“Owning dogs can bring endless hours of joy, but equally they require dedication and are a big time and financial commitment. There are many important costs to consider, such as food, regular health care, insurance and unexpected vets bills, which add up to a significant amount and must be the priority before including luxury home improvements.”
PDSA is the vet charity for pets in need, helping sick and injured pets whose owners have nowhere else to turn. For more information on maintaining the ideal home for your pooch, visit https://pdsa.org.uk/dogfriendlyhomes
