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Post by busy on Apr 28, 2022 21:10:31 GMT
In House Hunters threads of the past, there's been much derision about people who select houses (or eliminate them) based on things relating to their pets (usually dogs).
I'm here to say, loud and proud lol, that I'm totally one of those people. There are quite a number of things - from the wrong kind of yard to weird access to the yard to lack of appropriate spaces for the dog food freezer/litter boxes/pet-related storage and so on - that would take a house out of the running for me. And likewise, a home that nailed all the things for our pets but maybe needed a bit of extra cosmetic work or some other mild compromise would stay in consideration.
What about you? How much do you take your pets into account when looking for a place to live?
To be clear, no judgment. I don't think my insistence on certain things makes me a better pet parent - just one who knows I'd be annoyed daily by, say, having to go into a basement to access the dog food freezer or having to keep litter boxes close to our bedrooms.
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Post by Zee on Apr 28, 2022 21:32:48 GMT
I bought a house with a hill and trees for a back yard--most of it is unusable, but I love watching the birds and wildlife. There is a park behind it but it's really not suitable for a dog that needs a yard. Fortunately, my dog goes running with me in the park and doesn't need to run at home. She goes outside to do her business, I clean it up, we go back in. It's not fenced, but she's trained not to leave her yard or run off. So I'm sure my house isn't what most dog owners would like but it works for us!
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maryannscraps
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Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Apr 28, 2022 21:46:09 GMT
My daughter is about to close on a house with a yard just for her dog. She wants to enjoy sitting outside and playing with her dog. They’ve been in apartments since they graduated.
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Post by Basket1lady on Apr 28, 2022 22:13:22 GMT
In our 33 years of marriage, we’ve lived in 16 homes and have had a dog for but the first two. We definitely don’t chose the house for the dog, but also definitely consider where she will potty, access to the yard to go potty, is it fenced, how hard (expensive!) it would be to fence, is there grass, etc. It impacts our life every day and needs to be considered.
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Gem Girl
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 29, 2014 19:29:52 GMT
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Post by Gem Girl on Apr 28, 2022 22:21:12 GMT
Isn't a home-buying decision made with consideration of all family members?
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 3:29:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2022 22:25:23 GMT
Before this house, when we were house hunting, we were giving preference to houses with fenced yards because we had a dog and a cat who liked lounging in the sun. We knew an invisible fence wouldn't work with a beagle. We almost passed on our last house because it wasn't fenced in and after installing one fence, we weren't keen on doing it again. A fence went up right away.
With this house, we did take the cat into consideration (dog had passed away a few years ago) but not a whole lot. The cat passed away shortly after we moved in due to cancer.
We have offered pet sitting to BIL and his wife, saying that she'll love our big yard. We'll see if they take us up on it.
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Post by workingclassdog on Apr 28, 2022 22:29:06 GMT
Not really.. but I have only bought one house in my life and we didn't have a dog. Didn't cross my mind.
Today's world I would put that into consideration but if the market is the way it is, that part of the decision wouldn't be my top thing (it would be a part of the decision but there would be other pressing matters more important first... maybe 3rd thing down the list?).. it's so hard getting a house these days so.. but what do I know. I'm not in the market.
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Post by papersilly on Apr 28, 2022 22:44:37 GMT
fenced, a patch of grass for doggy business, and the ability to put in a dog door. those are my only pet requirements.
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milocat
Drama Llama
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Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
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Post by milocat on Apr 28, 2022 23:09:07 GMT
I guess other than having too small of a place where the litter box would have to be close to the bedrooms or kitchen, living room I wouldn't think of anything else for a cat.
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Post by Lexica on Apr 28, 2022 23:21:52 GMT
Yes, I am keeping my pets in mind as I look for my next house. I am willing to fence it if it isn't fenced and maybe even build a front covered porch if I can so that I can sit out front in the morning and have coffee with my pets on my lap. I have also considered building an enclosed area onto the house so that I can let my cats go outside safely. I saw a house that had a screen porch that would work and I really liked the idea of giving them their own spot like that. I also saw a house that had a wide side yard area that I could have something built with an access door to the garage. There were no windows on that side of the house but I could add one so that I could check on the cats from inside the house. I won't be getting another cat after these guys are gone. I can see fostering, but I don't think it would be responsible to get a kitten at my age. Having an enclosed outdoor area for foster kittens to play in during the day would be fun.
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Post by whipea on Apr 29, 2022 0:21:20 GMT
Always. When we were looking for our last house we had to have a layout that included an area for bird room and at least an acre fenced for the dogs. At the time we bought this house we had five large birds, Cockatoo, Macaws and Parrots with big cages. Want them to be part of the day to day activities but also separate enough to contain the mess.
A large yard is always a consideration as want our present and future dogs, usually a Greyhound and a Whippet to have a bit of space to run around. Their happiness and contentment is important too.
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Post by bc2ca on Apr 29, 2022 0:26:41 GMT
Once upon a time we needed a fenced yard and quiet, walkable neighborhood for the kids. Now they are still on the "must have" list for the pup.  Bella is only 12 pounds so doesn't take up a lot of real estate in the house. |
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FurryP
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Post by FurryP on Apr 29, 2022 0:47:20 GMT
I am definitely a dog in mind person. My DH not so much, but he is not so much into details. Two things that stand out in my mind right now:
1) One-story house only. During his last few years at our last house my golden retriever had arthritis and could not go up the stairs anymore. He slept at the bottom of the stairs every night. That won't happen again.
2) In our current house the pool was designed with the dogs in mind. There are stairs at both ends so they always have a easy way to get out.
And I don't care what anyone thinks about it. The only ones that matter are my dogs.
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mich5481
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Post by mich5481 on Apr 29, 2022 1:04:40 GMT
I looked for fenced in yards when I bought my house - the dogs like to run around!
LOL, the fenced in yard was also for me - I like my privacy!!!
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Post by Sanibel on Apr 29, 2022 2:44:29 GMT
When we were house hunting last year, it was priority to have a great spot for the litter box!
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