Design Tips:
√ The Location of The Pet Washing Station
Locate the station in a mudroom, laundry, or garage area for easy access and a floor that can handle the mess. These tubs are set up to deal with water splashes and debris, which makes cleaning up easier and keeps the rest of your home tidy. When you’re ready for a pet washing station in your home, Big B’s Plumbing has you covered.
√ The Right Height For Comfort
Consider your comfort when setting the height. Waist-level installations can save your back during bath time, reducing the need to bend or kneel, which is especially important if you have a large dog or if bath time is a regular routine.
√ Features to Make Washing Quick and Tidy
Pet washing requires a handheld showerhead, non-slip flooring, and easy-to-clean surfaces. The handheld showerhead gives you greater control over the water flow, the non-slip flooring ensures your pet’s safety during baths, and the easy-to-clean surfaces help you quickly tidy up after use, keeping the station hygienic and ready for the next bath.
√ Non-Slip Flooring to Reduce Ant Risk of Injury
You should always have some sort of non-slip flooring when taking your pet into the bathroom for a bath. This will stop your pet from slipping or sliding around in the tub, which can be especially useful for older pets or pets nervous about being bathed. It will also help to keep your pet calm and comfortable while in the tub and reduce the risk of injury during bath time.
√ DIY or Hire a Pro?
DIY or Hire a Pro? Installing a pet washing station might seem simple for the homeowner, but handy with plumbing, this project is complex. Installing a pet station is more than just connecting a few pipes. Proper drainage, water pressure, and ensuring everything is waterproof are crucial to a successful installation, and hiring a professional plumber to do the work will guarantee proper installation. That includes knowing that all plumbing connections are secure and installed to code. This will assure you that your pet washing station will function efficiently without any leaks.
Pet-Friendly Water Fountains For Pet Hydration
It is essential to keep your pet hydrated, particularly in hot weather. In warmer months, pets can get dehydrated very quickly, and it is important to allow them to drink as often as they like. Staying hydrated positively affects pets and their owners and is very important for health.
A pet-friendly water fountain can induce your pets to drink more water to keep their bodies hydrated. So, installing a pet-friendly water fountain is a good way to keep your pets drinking water. The water in a pet-friendly water fountain flows continuously. It’s fresh and more attractive to your pets than usual water, motivating them to drink more water and keep their bodies hydrated.
√ Health Benefits: Hydration Prevent Urinary and Kidney Problems
Hydration is vital to your pet’s health care, as regular clean water intake helps prevent urinary and kidney problems. It also assists in the removal of toxins from the body and allows for proper organ system function.
Installation Tips:
√ Locate The Fountain
The fountain can be installed in a quiet corner of your home where your pet feels comfortable drinking. Most pets drink best when they feel secure and uninterrupted, so don’t install a fountain in a high-traffic area or a place with a lot of noise. A quiet kitchen corner or a back corner of the living room can be perfect – anywhere your pet can easily access.
√ Size and Style of The Fountain, Based on Your Pets Size
Bigger pets generally need more flow than smaller ones. Similarly, some pets are drawn to the sounds of flowing water, while others might prefer a gentle bubbler. Experiment with different styles to see what your pet prefers.
√ Regular Maintenance Allows Water to Remain Fresh and Clean
Easy access for cleaning and filters. By definition, a fountain’s trickle will work only if it remains clean and there is fresh water in the reservoir. Regular maintenance will allow the fountain to continue working and the water to remain fresh and clean. Look for a fountain with removable parts that can be quickly taken apart for cleaning. Keep the fountain in an area where you can access it for maintenance to ensure regular cleaning schedules and filter changes.
√ DIY or Hire a Pro?
If you’re a confident DIYer, you might be able to install a simple freestanding pet water fountain yourself, especially if it’s a plug-and-play model that only needs to be connected to an outlet. However, a more complex installation requiring tapping into your home’s water supply should be left to a professional since they’ll be able to ensure everything’s in shipshape with no pressure for your pet fountain to work. Not only does this mean you can be certain your pet will have a constant water supply, but it will also lessen the risk of water damage to your home.
√ Easy-to-Clean Flooring Solutions
Pets are messy. Whether it’s a spill from their water dish or food, or even accidents sometimes, your pets will bring you lots of love into your home but, unfortunately, also some extras to clean up. Muddy paw prints, shedding fur, and more, the list is endless. You love your pets, and while enjoying their company, they might make your home less beautiful and less comfortable. Installing pet-friendly flooring will save you time and effort cleaning up after your pets. It will allow you to maintain your home while making it comfortable for you and your pets.
√ Durability Should be Scratch-Resistant
Pet-friendly flooring should be scratch-resistant, easy to clean up after spills and dirt, and withstand heavy traffic. Pets, especially dogs with claws, are not gentle with their surroundings. So, choosing materials that can withstand daily wear and tear is critical. Durable flooring provides the extra durability needed for pet life and long-term care of your floors.
√ Hygiene With Fewer Germs and Allergens
It is easier to keep clean, and your home has fewer germs and allergens. Pets are magnets for dirt, bacteria, and allergens from the outside, so you want to make sure your flooring is easy to keep clean and sanitary so that your home is healthy for you and your family. This also helps with allergies, as it keeps allergens at bay, which helps your pets and your family who may be sensitive to allergens.
√ Comfort, Particularly for Older Pets
Some flooring materials are also easier on your pet’s joints. Hard surfaces like tile or hardwood can be rough on your pet’s joints. Pets with joint problems, particularly older pets, will prefer flooring with a bit of give or flooring with rugs preventing them from sliding.
Best Flooring Options:
√ Vinyl is a Practical and Flexible Option
Vinyl is a good choice for pet owners because it’s waterproof, scratch-resistant, and wipe-clean. Vinyl comes in various styles and can be cut to look like more expensive options such as hardwood or stone, meaning it’s a practical and flexible option.
√ Tile Easy to Maintain, But it is Cold and Hard
It is durable and easy to maintain but cold and hard, so consider adding area rugs. It is indestructible, and it’ll take a lot of abuse in the rough and tumble world of pet life. However, it can feel cold and slippery, so you can supplement it with rugs. It’s also very hard for your pets to walk or lie on, so you can supplement it with pet beds.
√ Laminate Can Withstand Accidental Spills and Animals Jumping on it
It imitates the look of hardwood without scratching or spilling. It’s cheaper than the real thing, you don’t have to treat it like fine china, and it can withstand accidental spills and your animals jumping on it without warping or staining.
√ DIY or Hire a Pro?
You can DIY if you have the confidence. If you’re replacing a small area – say, a hallway or small kitchen – and you’ve already installed flooring before and are comfortable with the process, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take on the task yourself. Indeed, if you’re using laminate, the user-friendly nature of the boards should make for an easy installation.
√ Best Installed by Someone With Experience
However, a professional’s input would be a good idea if you want to lay more flooring and have a larger surface area to cover. Not only can they ensure that their efforts result in a relatively flawless finish, but a pro can be especially useful in tile, which is best installed by someone with experience (and a steady hand). For rooms where water resistance is high on the list of priorities, like the kitchen, bathroom, and pet washing station, edging and sealing are crucial for a durable floor.
√ Enhance The Quality of Life For You and Your Pets
Creating a pet-friendly home goes beyond just providing food and shelter. Investing in thoughtful plumbing upgrades like a dedicated pet washing station, a convenient water fountain, and easy-to-clean flooring can significantly enhance the quality of life for you and your pets. Whether you choose to tackle these projects on your own or enlist the help of a professional, these changes will make your home more functional, comfortable, and enjoyable for your furry family members.
Home is a Pleasant Place For Me and My Pets
Far beyond providing food and shelter, making your house a true pet-friendly home would include plumbing investments such as a pet washing station, a water fountain for easy access to hydration, and easy-to-clean flooring. Whether you embark on these projects by yourself or hire a contractor, you can make your home more functional, comfortable, and pleasant for you and your pets.
