Signs Your Dog May Be Allergic to Chicken As in humans, allergies or sensitivities in dogs can present in many different ways. Symptoms may include itchy, red or inflamed skin
5th December 2025
Bringing a new pet into your home is very exciting but where do you start? Read our advice on how to create a pet-friendly home that works for everyone in the household.
How to Create a Pet-Friendly Home
The first thing to consider is the type of pet that would fit into your household and lifestyle. What type of home do you have? Are you very active and love spending time outdoors? Or are you more likely to spend time around the house? Consider the time and financial commitments of your desired pet.
A key aspect of your home to look at before welcoming your new family member are spaces within the home for the pet. For example, where will they sleep? eat? play? go to the toilet? You may also think about areas for storage of essential items like food. There is no hard rule that you must have a certain type of home to accommodate a pet, however you should consider whether the type of pet you are thinking about will suit the home that you have.
The Blue Cross recommends a ‘family’ meeting before adding a new member to your household to agree on basic principles – who is responsible for feeding, exercise, maintaining medical appointments, cleaning, training and play. What pet would best fit with all members?
Tips for Designing a Pet-Friendly Home
Create a cosy safe space, whether you choose to use a bed, crate or allow free access to a comfy sofa, ensure your pet has a relaxing space in your home. You could try placing your cat’s bed in sunny location like a windowsill. Cats often prefer a quiet place to retreat from household noise to relax during the day so consider placing your cat’s bed in a room that is a little quieter.
You should also consider the entry and exit from the home for exercise or toileting. Will you have a cat flap, or will they be a house cat? For dogs you will also want to think about how secure your fencing is for outside spaces.
Must-Have Items for a Pet-Friendly Space
The budget for creating a pet-friendly space in your home can be as little or large as you decide! For cats and dogs, puppies or kittens there are several essentials they will need:
- Food and water bowls
- A comfortable bed
- Good quality food – try our wholesome ACANA recipes!
You could also think about additional items such as toys, suitable grooming brushes and for cats a litter tray. For dogs you will need a collar or harness with ID tag and a lead.
It is also a legal requirement for dogs and cats to be microchipped in the UK. Ensure the information is up to date so that your new pet is registered to you with the correct contact information.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Pet-Proofing
If you already have one pet and are thinking about adding another, we often overlook the initial safety proofing of our home. For instance, puppies and kittens like to explore the world with their mouths and are much more likely to pick up or chew items that an adult cat or dog may have learned not to. We recommend checking fences and points of entry and exit to your property to ensure that they are secure and there are no small holes a little one may escape. If you are rehoming an older cat or dog, they may have their own likes and dislikes which differ from your current pet.
Creating a welcoming pet-friendly space for your new family member within your home can be a wonderful experience and as your bond grows and your pet ages you are sure to find new ways to accommodate your canine companion or feline friend.
