A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOUR PETS IN YOUR KITCHEN!

A little over a year ago, we decided to make some space in our family for a puppy. She is an energetic ball of fur that we affectionately call ‘Perfect Dog’. She obviously wasn’t always perfect, and the first few months were marked by several adjustments that we needed to make around the house, especially in the kitchen. It’s important to note that she loves to have our undivided attention, she is very intelligent... and also slightly sneaky. Needless to say that it didn’t take very long for her to find different ways for us to chase after her. Finding treasures in the garbage at the foot of our kitchen island is her specialty…

When reorganising our kitchen, we needed to find a way to reduce the risk of rushing our Perfect Dog to the veterinarian in an emergency situation. Her knack for eating non-edibles brought us to choose a sliding garbage system under the sink cabinet. In this way, she can’t use her long muzzle to subtly steal something from the garbage and quietly disappear with her head down (as if she becomes instantly invisible…)! If you have the misfortune of having a less entertaining dog, this same sliding system can be a good option for storing your dog’s dry food instead of your garbage.

Another great idea to adapt your kitchen to your furry friend’s lifestyle is installing a pot filler (usually used to fill pots) near your dog’s habitual eating area. It’s perfect for having fresh water readily available and it reduces the risk of spills (let’s face it, stepping in a puddle is never fun). It’s also a good idea to install the bowls a little higher (especially for bigger dogs) in order to facilitate access to their food and promote digestion. Try placing the bowls on a surface that can be easily cleaned, such as a ceramic tile or the same material as your counter. Cleaning will be a breeze and it will be more durable in the long run.

Your furry friend is perhaps a little smaller in size and you would like to integrate a banquette in your kitchen? Why not integrate a space for the bowls, the food and their accessories directly in the design of your banquette? It’s a creative way to avoid stepping in a bowl of water... (I think every pet owner knows that disappointing sensation!)

To love spending time in the kitchen doesn’t have to mean spending less time with your furry companions. They will be able spend time in the kitchen with you, without the added stress ;)

Or perhaps you would rather banish your four legged friend from the kitchen altogether sometimes? If space allows, you can integrate a retractable barrier directly into your cabinetry. No more paws on the counter and no more noses searching for crumbs that you may have forgotten

Let’s not neglect our cat companions. Cats are also curious beings and they generally love to inspect whatever is going on on the countertop. This can be entertaining but it can also add a few additional steps to your favorite recipe. (...my colleague can speak volumes on this subject as she even had to call an ‘educator’ to rectify certain issues!)

By planning for a space that is reserved for them, your cat may feel less of a need to use your kitchen counter as an observation tower. Their natural instincts push them to seek out areas that are high up so why not configure a space that allows them to climb (even better if they can look out a window at the same time!) The cat will be stimulated and their curiosity will be satisfied.

You can also try using certain odors to reduce the temptation of jumping on the counters. If you use cleaning products that smell of lemon, aloe vera or eucalyptus, your cat may be less tempted to go near your counter as these are odors that they generally don’t enjoy. In addition to acting as a repellent, a clean surface will also be less tempting to jump on as there isn’t anything interesting to inspect ;)

With all these small changes, my ‘Perfect Dog’ is now my favorite companion in the kitchen. She loves lounging around and watching me while I cook and when I sometimes drop a few ingredients on the floor, she politely cleans them up for me! In exchange for her gentle demeanor, I prepare some homemade dog biscuits and this makes her one Happy Dog.

See you soon!

Don’t hesitate to give us your own tips and tricks, we are curious to see how you’ve made a special place in your kitchen for your pets!

Marie-Claude D.

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