5 Key Ingredients for a Pet-Friendly House

When you’re a pet parent looking for a home for sale in Boca Raton, you’re probably looking for a space that’s as good for your pet as it is for you – and that means you’re looking for a place with a pet-friendly yard, in a pet-friendly community. But how can you tell if the location and the outdoors are pet-friendly? These guidelines can help.

The right house for your pet:

Has a pet-friendly yard
Is located in a community that welcomes pet
Has durable, safe flooring and stairs
Features play space
Is near an animal hospital that you trust

Here’s a closer look at each.

Ingredient #1 for a Pet-Friendly House: A Pet-Friendly Yard

A pet-friendly yard has plenty of room to play and lounge in the sun, a fence to keep your pet contained, and some shade. You’ll want to ensure there are no toxic plants in it, too.

Pro Tip: Check the HOA guidelines about fencing if the house you want to buy doesn’t already have a fenced yard. Some homeowners associations are very strict about the types of fences they allow, and whether they allow products like Coyote Rollers that help keep pets safer.

Ingredient #2 for a Pet-Friendly House: A Pet-Friendly Community

You’ll want to ensure that there’s a pedestrian-friendly and pet-friendly walkway in the community before you commit to buying. You may also want to check for nearby parks, and take a few strolls around the neighborhood yourself to make sure there aren’t any off-leash or strays that you’ll likely encounter when you’re out with your four-legged family member.

Ingredient #3 for a Pet-Friendly House: Durable, Safe Flooring and Stairs

Pets have a tough time gaining traction on wood and tile floors – and that can be dangerous (in addition to being uncomfortable and frustrating). Carpet, bamboo, textured vinyl, cork and other materials are better for dogs than smooth hardwoods and tile are; if you’re not a rug person, you may want to choose a house with floors your pet can easily navigate. Stairs are important, too, particularly in families with senior pets and breeds that are prone to joint problems; you may have to invest in stair runners and night lights to help keep your pet safe.

Ingredient #4 for a Pet-Friendly House: Play Space

A good, pet-friendly home has room to play indoors as well as outdoors. It also has a “decompression zone” that your animals can use when they want to escape, rest or relax – a space that’s all their own where they can get away (just like your bedroom is for you).

Ingredient #5 for a Pet-Friendly House: Near an Animal Hospital You Trust

Emergencies happen, and you need to be close by an animal hospital with a veterinarian you trust. Many vets are happy to do familiarization visits when you move to a new area, so call around or talk to your REALTOR® about the best in the area.

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5 Key Ingredients for a Pet-Friendly House