Pet Owners Are Switching Out Their Dog Houses for Elaborate Puppy Palaces

Pet owner shopping in the United States is expected to surpass $109 billion in 2021 after an increase in pet owners during the pandemic, and more homeowners aren’t just stopping at adoption. A growing segment of animal lovers across the US are building home additions for their canine companions, constructing everything from doggie fireplaces to mini living areas and soundproof shelters, says Forbes. 

More than ever, homeowners are taking their pets into consideration when remodeling their homes by crafting functional spaces designed to keep animals happy and healthy. Some are even decking out their dog houses with furnishings to give their four-legged roommates their own homes within the home.

The idea for Teddy’s House wasn’t new to [Johnathan] Lower. “I was showing a house in a really nice luxury lake area. And the sellers had created a playhouse for their daughters in the closet space beneath the stairs. But I don’t have any kids. So, I thought it would be neat to do something like that for Teddy,” Lower explains.

Lower started working on Teddy’s House in February 2021. The result is something even Snoop Dogg could appreciate with a raised built-in dog bed with sliding drawers for Teddy’s toys, a flat-screen TV and a digital fireplace. Teddy’s portrait hangs above the fireplace. And the exterior façade is flagstone. 

“I soundproofed the walls so that if there were ever fireworks going off or a bad thunderstorm or he just needed to get away, Teddy could go in his house. It turned out to be a great idea. During the Fourth of July, when everybody was setting off fireworks, Teddy was inside his house and safe,” Lower says.

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