Cover story: Houses go to the dogs — and all pets

The terms “barkitecture” and “petitecture” embody how architecture can be adapted to accommodate pets in a home. While most pet owners don’t take their love of animals to the extreme, where they have a whole home designed around (or for) their pets, many consider the comfort of their animals when selecting products for the home or looking for a new place to live.

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 62 percent of households in the United States own a pet. Dogs and cats rank as the most popular household pets - followed by fish, birds and small animals, such as hamsters.

Lucy McCausland is the owner of AKA Spot in Arlington, a boutique that sells high-end accessories and groceries for pets. She has observed that more people are adapting their homes - and cars - to include pets in their lifestyle.

“The trend is growing, even in a slow economy,” Ms. McCausland said.

She said dog beds are the top product people want to make their homes more pet-friendly. Many of her customers have multiple dog or cat beds throughout their homes.

Brad White, founder and president of Midnight Pass Inc., sells upscale pet products in Washington-area pet stores, including beds, dog loungers and designer pet gates. His Massachusetts-based company even sells a Murphy bed that folds up to conceal the pet’s bed when it’s not in use. It is available in mahogany, black or white and costs $279.

Ms. McCausland said there also are “cool” beds for the summer and “warm” beds for the winter as well as indoor and outdoor pet futons.

She said some of the unique pet products on the market follow trends in the furniture industry, allowing customers to pick fabrics based on their home’s color palette.

“For instance, many dog-bed companies provide a swatch book that shows all the different fabric options available. [The process] becomes the same as picking out a sofa or curtains,” Ms. McCausland said.

Jane Huelle, owner of the Dog Spot in the District, said she has seen just about everything - from extravagant cat climbers to custom jungle rooms and dog crates that look like designer furniture.

“If you can think of it, they make it,” Ms. Huelle said, citing items such as pet safety ramps for pools, boats and automatic water fountains.

She said some pet owners go all out with extravagant rooms designed just for pets. They have custom, handmade furnishings and closets to hold the pets’ clothes.

“There are a ton of fashionable doggy gates that allow you to keep your pet in one area of the house,” Ms. McCausland said. “Some of the gates look better than most furniture.”

Dog and cat bowls or feeders also are being customized. Mr. White said designer ceramic bowls with the pet’s name on them, along with a stand to reduce neck and back pain, are becoming popular purchases for pet owners.

Other high-end items include faux mink coats for cold-weather outings, day beds for afternoon naps and designer bird cages, according to the APPA. There are products for aging dogs, such as steps or ramps (to be placed by a bed so elderly dogs can easily go up and down).

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