A white shaker kitchen idea with grey marble effect worktops and white wash herringbone timber effect floor.

Kitchen Advice

How To Plan A Pet Friendly Kitchen

From cosy corners to keeping chemicals stowed securely, there are many things to consider when planning a pet-friendly kitchen to ensure it is a safe environment for your animals. Planning ahead is essential when welcoming a four-footed, feathered, or feline friend, as it will allow you to establish a good routine and make the transition to your home as smooth as possible. Understanding their basic needs will help shape a kitchen for pets. There are five main factors, which include diet, companionship, health, behaviour, and environment. Explore these tips on how to make a kitchen pet-friendly, so you can create a comfortable space for all the family. Photo credit: @louise_payne

an integrated handle kitchen for a pet-friendly idea in gloss grey with white counters and wooden floors.

1. Keep prying paws away

Pets love to pry, and our kitchens are full of dangerous products that can cause serious harm to their health. Making sure cleaning supplies are stored securely will prevent any emergency vet visits. An integrated-handle design, like that found in @chester_thecockapooch’s home, is a good solution as it will be hard for pets to open, safeguarding them from potential poisons.

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Grey slab kitchen for pets with matt finish and trimline handles for easy clean finish.

2. Switch to easy clean

Accidents happen, especially with pups, which is why easy-clean surfaces are a go-to when creating a kitchen for pets. @pklidara has got the right idea using slab-style doors for their design with our Hockley Super Matt cupboards. Constructed with a smooth exterior, this design is easy to wipe down making light work of washing mud-splattered cabinetry.

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a dark grey kitchen idea for pets with belfast sink, wooden worktops, and chrome handles.

3. Stick to dark tones

If you want your design to look as good as new, even with messy mammals around, we recommend switching to a dark colour, such as navy, black, or slate grey as seen in @broomfieldhouserenovation. These sophisticated shades are right on trend and they will show fewer scuffs, helping to disguise blemishes for a longer-lasting finish.

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A light grey shaker kitchen idea with integrated dog bed using marble-effect worktops, chrome handles and drawer packs.

4. Create a cosy corner

Our pets are social creatures, so making them feel connected and part of the family is important for their wellbeing. Creating a spot where they can observe the action is a great idea for a pet-friendly kitchen. @gaylepow has created a den for Lola and Milo by leaving a cupboard open within their Fairford Dove Grey kitchen, so they can rest and take in family life.

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a cream shaker kitchen with integrated dishwasher and travertine stone effect floor.

5. Quieten the space

Some pets, not like @missrolothecockapoo, are easily startled by loud noises and quite often our cooking and cleaning space is a raucous area that is sensitive on their ears. Where possible, try switching equipment to models that operate at a lower volume, like dishwashers for example. A device of 40dB or lower will be quieter than a normal conversation.

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a blue shaker kitchen for pets with copper handles, wooden worktops and stone flooring.

6. Keep counters free of food

There are many foods that are toxic to animals, like plum pits, which are risky for dogs. Where you are unable to keep a watchful eye, like @tom_l_1984, we recommend clearing counters of food, such as fruit bowls and butter dishes. Instead, stow these items in a safe place or invest in refrigeration with dedicated storing areas for these ingredients.

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A kitchen for pets using grey shaker cupboards, brass handles and marble-effect worktops.

7. Go for softer edges

For the dog owners among us, we can vouch that jumping up is a habit that we tirelessly try to train out of our hounds. While some of us may have conquered this pet peeve, owners are wise to invest in soft-edged counters to prevent injury. @muddie8706’s humans have used a laminate counter to reduce sharp edges that can cause knocks and bumps.

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A two tone grey and navy shaker kitchen with quartz worktops, built in ovens, and pink tiles.

8. Trade up materials

Pets are a messy bunch and cats particularly love to have a good scratch from time to time. To prolong the life of a design, take a leaf out of @pennyhealy’s book. She has upgraded to premium materials, like a solid quartz counter, to protect their counters from kitty claws. Quartz is scratch, stain, and heat resistant standing up to daily wear and tear with ease.

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Pet storage using a grey shaker kitchen cupboard and drawer storage with chrome handles.

9. Prepare for pet storage

From clippers to comfort blankets, our favourite little beasties come with an assortment of belongings that you must find a home for. Creating a place to store essentials will ensure your room looks clean and uncluttered. @ralph_the_toy_cockapoo even has a dedicated “walkies” space using drawers to store his favourite treats.

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Two dogs in a pet-friendly kitchen which uses kitchen bins to store dog food for smart pet storage.

10. Be savvy with bins

To a cat or dog, your bin is a haven of food and interesting smells, however, it is also full of plastic, which when digested could cause health problems for your prized pets. Switch to integrated bins to stow food waste and recycling beyond easy reach of your furry friends. You can also use them as smart pet storage, like @WarsopClaire, who uses them to store dog biscuit.

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A slate grey pet-friendly kitchen using shaker doors with matt black handles and built in ovens.

11. Introduce integrated

Freestanding devices can present lots of nooks and crannies for little critters, or toys, to get lost behind. Instead, we recommend opting for integrated appliances, like @rosecollinsinvestments. Their built-in ovens are housed in a tower to provide a streamlined look, while closing off gaps, so their canine friend can play safely without losing a ball down a crevice.

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a dog sat in a grey shaker kitchen which includes a large chimney cook hood.

12. Purify the air

For small animals, especially birds, it is recommended to keep these tucked away from cooking areas, as smoke and fumes can make them seriously ill. Improving air quality is also useful for larger pets, so consider investing in good extraction, like @jessyluc. Designed to whisk away smoke, steam, fragrant smells, and grease, it will keep your room clean and the air cleaner.

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A pet-friendly kitchen in slate grey with copper handles, induction hob and wooden worktops.

13. Cater for cool touch

If you want to give your pets an all-access pass to your kitchen, choose devices that include child lock to ensure equipment remains off when they are prowling around. For the ultimate pet-friendly device, switch to an induction cooktop, like @charl23c. These models use electromagnetic technology to minimise residual heat, making it cool to touch after cooking.

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A black dog in a pet-friendly kitchen using vinyl flooring.

14. Find fauna-friendly floors

Selecting the right floorboards will prevent your pets from skidding off down the room and causing damage to themselves or the floor. Vinyl floorboards are a great choice for a pet-friendly kitchen, as seen in @groveroad_homex, as it has a textured surface for extra grip when chasing down treats, and it is easy to clean.

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A green shaker kitchen designed for pets with copper handles, white worktops, and kitchen island feature.

15. Know the pecking order

When homing more than one animal, it is important to provide enough resources to eliminate tension. This can include separate food, water, beds, toys, and even designated play areas. In @renovationcation’s Fairford Dark Green kitchen, their cat clearly rules the roost taking the island as its domain.

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