A 2023 survey by Realtor.com found that 95% of pet owners weighed the needs of their pets as important factors when shopping for a home. This might be a no-brainer when it comes to dogs and cats, but when you consider that 89% of bird owners, 85% of fish owners and 79% of rodent owners said they would consider their animals before purchasing a property, you start to realize just how important pets are to the home-buying process. For most pet owners, they are part of the family, although they often need very different accommodations than the rest of the family. Below we’ll discuss some common needs pet owners should keep in mind while home shopping, as well as steps you can make to pet proof your new home.
HOA RESTRICTIONS
It may surprise you to learn that many Homeowners Associations (HOAs) can have strict guidelines when it comes to owning pets. These can include reasonable safeguards against things like keeping dogs on a leash, preventing excessive noise from barking, or cleaning up after your pets, but it can also include limits on the number of pets a home may have. Some HOAs may even ban outdoor pets altogether.
PET FRIENDLY FLOORPLANS
Many pet owners also will want to consider if a home is ideal for their dog or cat. One common consideration is dark wood floors to hide scratches from claws. Or if their pets tend to have occasional accidents or digestive problems, they may want to avoid carpeting that they’d have to rip up later. For older animals with achy joints, having less stairs to climb may be ideal. Or some pet owners may just want plenty of space for their furry friend to run free. A backyard that’s already fenced in is ideal for most dog owners.
DEFINE AREAS & BOUNDARIES
Your pets will need some time to adjust to their new surroundings, especially if they’ve lived their whole lives in another home. To make this adjustment period easier on them, try to define their designated areas immediately. The earlier you can show them where to eat, where to sleep, and where to use the bathroom, the easier it will be for them to get in the habit. For cats, make sure you have enough litter boxes for your cats, and make sure they’re easy to reach. If possible, avoid noisy areas (such as next to washing machines and dryers), as it can make the cat anxious when using the litter box.
PROTECT THE FURNITURE
Cats love to scratch. This isn’t a bad habit that you’ll be able to break; cats have a biological need to sharpen their claws and molt layers of keratin by scratching rough surfaces. It’s also a great form of exercise. Unfortunately for homeowners, your cats will likely see your furniture as the perfect place to practice their scratching exercises. The easiest way to circumvent damage to your furniture is by providing plenty of scratching alternatives in the form of scratching posts. There may be some guess-and-check work needed here; some cats will prefer an upright scratch posts, while others may prefer a horizontal pad (your best bet is to purchase both and see which they use more).
MY ADVICE
Consider your pet’s needs just any other member of the family and remember that not everyone involved in the process is naturally pet friendly. Do your due diligence to make sure that your pet will be welcome at your new domain and by all means, consult a Realtor® just you would in any other matter of the transaction to make sure that you don’t make a serious mistake that will affect the “whole family!”
