It has been suggested that (collectively) there are over 20 million pets in the UK that live in our homes with us. As a nation of animal lovers, we adore our pets, but we also don’t want them to take a toll on our luxury brand new kitchen when we finally get to create the design of our dreams! When you visit our kitchen design showrooms in Wirral or Cheshire, we can help you design a bespoke kitchen with your beloved pet in mind. Kitchens can often be hazardous for pets, but our kitchen designers can help put your mind at ease and involve you in every stage of the planning process so that your kitchen delivers on what you need from it. Here is our guide to planning a pet-friendly kitchen, whether you have a dog, cat or house rabbit.
All animals are naturally curious, and this can often lead to them taking more than an unhealthy interest in your cupboards and drawers. Some of the nicest foods we love to eat, such as chocolate, are highly toxic to pets such as cats, dogs and rabbits. Cleaning supplies can also prove dangerous if they fall into the wrong hands. These items should be kept out of reach at all times to save curious paws from wandering. Going for kitchen cabinets that are higher up and difficult for pets to open, or fitting child-proof door latches, can prevent disasters. It is also possible to have retractable shutters on shelves so that ingredients inside are kept at bay. It can be helpful to also replace bins that are free standing with integrated bins that are built into your units so that you have fewer chances of spillages from bins being knocked over and chewed-through bin bags.
Small furry animals like rabbits are particularly drawn to chewing through cables and electrical wires, as the buzzing sound attracts them. Talk with your kitchen designer about how you can bunny-proof your space to conceal electrical wires and to keep your rabbit safe. Unplug your appliances when they are not in use, and you may also want to integrate your fridge freezer into the wall so that animals cannot get behind it and chew wires. Also consider an induction hob, as this is much safer if a big/tall dog’s paws make their way onto it.
Our luxury kitchen designers will ask if you have any pets so that your kitchen can withstand all that they have to throw at it and remain durable over the years. From sharp claws and teeth to muddy paws, you’ll need to go into detail about how your pet behaves so that we can create a design that works for your needs. We always recommend curable materials that don’t scratch easily, and that are easily cleaned, such as high-gloss metal doors. You should also consider your skirting boards and flooring – that beautiful wooden floor may look lovely, but will it still look as nice if your cat or rabbit scratches it to pieces? You can get many different types of tiled flooring on the market, including tiles that look like real wood. Pets that slip easily on tiled flooring may require a non-slip mat to give them more grip.
Why not consider the following in your new pet-friendly kitchen?
Annual Gala
0151 644 9100
0151 644 9100