Since February 20 is National Love Your Pet Day, we thought it was a good time to talk about these important bonus members of our families, and how we can enhance their home lives.

It’s important to us that our houses are functional and comfortable in a way that suits our lifestyles, but our pets have different needs than we do, and require different considerations. While dogs are content to curl up wherever you are and cats will sooner claim a cardboard box as their new favourite spot than the elaborate cat condo that came inside it, incorporating their needs into your home design solidifies their place in the family.

Let’s look at a few ways to can make your home pet-friendly without sacrificing a drop of style.

Keep them close

Your furry best friend wants to be at your side. Your cat or dog typically ends up following you from room to room as you go about your day at home. For this reason, it’s important to remember your pet isn’t the same as a child; they aren’t going to find the same enjoyment out of a designated room like a child would with a playroom.

Make sure they have a corner in each room to curl up in and call their own, but won’t make them feel restricted or isolated. Many pets are content with a blanket thrown down in the path of their favourite sunbeam or at the end of the bed. But, if your canine and feline companions love being pampered, pet beds have planted their flag firmly in the world of fashionable home furniture and it’s easier than ever to find an ultra-comfy bed that will fit seamlessly with your own décor.

From custom builds to raised memory foam cushions to cave-like cat pods, and even deeply plush pillows designed to help reduce anxiety (especially useful if your pet gets anxious when left alone), designers are taking careful consideration when it comes to crafting luxurious thrones for our four-legged pals.

If your pet has claimed the corner of your couch or a favourite armchair, consider buying a slipcover for easy cleaning. If you’re especially crafty, you could even create one of your own, but even a nice throw that’s coordinated to your decor will work, and it’s easy to toss into the washing machine to clean.

Keep things tidy

When you need to keep the kitchen chaos-free and your pets out from underfoot, an inset sliding gate, much like a pocket door, does the trick cleanly. You can have this type of gate added as an extension of the lower cabinets and even use the same coloured wood to keep things harmonious and discreet. Plus, if you have a rambunctious pup, there’s no risk of this gate toppling over if they jump against it.

If you have the room, creating custom space for your dog’s crate under the kitchen counter has been a go-to for many homeowners. The kitchen is a great spot for this installation as your pet will feel more comfortable being in the room where your family typically spends most of their time.

Bath time

Speaking of keeping things tidy, after a run at the dog park it can feel like your pets might never be clean again. Giving your dog a scrub in the tub is a recipe for a ruined bathroom if they’re a large dog with big claws or you have more than one, so installing a pet shower in your mudroom, laundry room or garage is a total lifesaver. Not only will it keep the muddy paw prints from spreading through the house, it’s a great pampering station for your pooch.

A closer eye and your peace of mind

Sadly, many dogs suffer from separation anxiety when left alone and that anxiety can manifest itself in the destruction of things like doors, blinds, cushions and shoes. While a veterinarian should always be consulted when a pet starts to exhibit signs of stress, there are tools out there to keep you and your pet connected even when you’re apart.

App-controlled feeders keep your pet’s mealtimes on schedule, even if you’re running late, while other gadgets offer three-in-one benefits like a camera, mic and treat-dispenser to let you check in on your pup throughout the day (while tossing them a treat or two to keep them content). These devices really do work to help keep your pets feeling connected to you.

Pretty plates and bowls

While they don’t need to eat off of your fine china, keep your home looking stylish all the way down to your pets food dishes. Many of your favourite retailers and homegoods stores are stocking up on food and water bowls that look good enough for your own table. You can also buy stylish absorbant mats to soak up any spilled water if you have an especially messy drinker.

Did you know?

There are pet dishes designed to meet the needs of every dog breed. Finding the right option could make a world of difference for your Great Dane or your Teacup Yorkie. Raised bowls, for example, relieves strain on joints and helps prevent the chances of bloat for bigger dogs while shallow bowls are best for the snubby snouts of Pugs and Bulldogs. These types of stands are available in many styles that will complement even the most stylish decor.

Your pet is the queen or king of your home, so make sure they live like one, too! A professional REALTOR® can help you find the purr-fect home to suit both you and your pet’s needs.

— REALTOR.ca

When you’re looking to buy a home — whether it’s your first, something larger, downsizing, or an investment property — you need to think about your needs versus your wants. This way, when you meet with a REALTOR®, they’ll be able to better assist you in finding a home that suits you and your budget.

While you may think you really want to splurge for hardwood floors throughout your new home, you may actually need to have an extra bedroom for when family comes to visit, so there are going to be compromises you must make. Taking the time to narrow down your needs and wants will help make the house-hunting process even smoother, as you’ll already know what things you can and can’t live without.

How do you define a need vs. a want?

While many people can sit down and craft a long list of wants and needs for their dream home, knowing the difference between the two is something that shouldn’t be overlooked.

According to Denae McCullough, a REALTOR® with McCarthy Shymkiw & Associates in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, “Your needs are a necessity when it comes to determining the day-to-day functioning for yourself or your family in your next home.”

McCullough explained that these needs might include things like location (think commute and school catchment areas), the number of bedrooms and the space required for those living in the home, not to mention type of home. On the other hand, she explained wants are the things you desire, but aren’t necessarily key to your family dynamics, happiness or routine.

For example, you and your family might really want an in-ground swimming pool, but this feature and its maintenance costs would put you over budget, when you really need that accessible washroom, laundry facilities on the main floor, or an attached garage.

“Everyone’s wants and needs will differ, and what might be extremely important to you, may not make the cut for someone else. Communicating this list to your REALTOR® is important so no assumptions are being made,” McCullough said.

How soon should home buyers start determining their wants and needs for their future home?

You’ll want to take some time to sit down and make a list of everything important to you in a new home. Remember, it’s never too soon to dream up the wants and needs for your future home. Start with the most important things (your needs) and then work your way down your list to the less important things (wants).

McCullough explains you can start by taking note of where you’re living now and determine what you love about your current home, what you’d like to experience differently, and any “pain points” in your day-to-day routine that could be solved by a trait or amenity in your next home.

Gareth Ian Roberts, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd. Brokerage in Toronto, suggests keeping a running list once you decide you’re in the market to buy.

“Start making a list of needs and wants so when you’re ready to meet with an agent, you already have an idea of what you’re looking for,” he says. “Keep in mind as you go through the process, the list can have multiple changes to it.”

What are some things people don’t think to include on their needs and wants list?

There are some things home buyers might not realize they should include on their list or even think about.

“Something that people may not consider when crafting their wants and needs list includes planning for the next five or more years,” says McCullough.

Even though you might hope to move on to your next home sooner, McCullough says anticipating the wants and needs of “future you” is also worthy of inclusion.

“If you want a pet in the future, make that clear to your agent so you’re not buying into a strata property with restrictive bylaws. If you want the option to keep your condo when it comes time to up-size, have a good understanding of the rental restrictions in place,” she suggests.

When considering your minimum bedroom count, try and determine if your future includes children or roommates — you’ll want to make sure there’s room to grow.

“By anticipating this future criteria, you will put yourself in a position of moving next because you want to, not because you have to,” says McCullough.

Thinking ahead is also Roberts’ advice. Sunlight, storage and snow shovelling are all things to consider, he says.

“Sometimes people, depending on where you live, don’t realize how much snow shovelling you’ll have to do in the winter,” he points out. “Covered parking is definitely a major want. But, given what city you live in, it can be an easy compromise to make in the process of looking for your new home — you may be fine with settling on just a parking spot.”

How can your REALTOR® help narrow these things down?

When it comes to home buying, Roberts says having a REALTOR® who listens well and can explain what’s realistic and what’s not will help narrow down your list to create a more refined, efficient search — quality over quantity.

“As a REALTOR®, getting to know our clients and their lifestyle is fundamental in helping narrow wants and define needs,” he explains. “As your REALTOR® shows you properties, you’re able to work together to weigh the pros and cons of different home configurations and the needs and wants they each offer.”

McCullough says it’s also a good idea for you and your REALTOR® to research your local market, follow and check out what’s available on REALTOR.ca or winnipegregionalrealestatenews.com, and to visit open houses before you seriously start searching. By checking out new neighbourhoods and getting a feel for different home layouts, finishes, and ages of properties, you’ll be better able to narrow down or add to your list.

The best advice is to start writing down what you want and what you really need. As the list grows, you’ll begin to understand the kind of home you should be looking for and the expectations you should set, which will make the search process even easier for both you and your REALTOR®.

— REALTOR.ca