Conservatories are a great option for pet owners, as it gives them an extra room to create a comfortable space for their beloved cats or dogs to enjoy. However, it is important to follow these tips to make sure your pets are safe and comfortable there.
Install blinds
Many pet owners choose to keep their dog crates, food and water bowls and cushions or beds in their orangery, as it is a distinct space from the living room or kitchen and close to the garden.
However, as conservatories are well-known for warming up quickly during the summer months thanks to their floor-to-ceiling windows, you need to make sure it doesn’t become too hot for your four-legged friends.
To keep the temperature from getting too hot or too cold, you could install blinds that block out the sunlight in the summer and trap heat in during the winter.
On particularly hot days, keep blinds closed during the warmest hours and only open them when the temperature begins to drop. Light-coloured ones are the best at blocking out heat.
You could also use sunshading glass paint on the windows to shield the room from direct sunlight.
Installing air conditioning or simply increasing ventilation by regularly opening windows could also help keep it cool enough for your pets, particularly if you plan on them sleeping in there.
Remember to have windows open during the coolest parts of the day to allow hot air to flow outside.
Cat flaps
Cat owners might be worried building either a hardwood orangery or a glass conservatory as an extension to their kitchen could make it difficult for their felines to go in and out of the house as they please.
However, you can get cat flaps fitted in conservatories, so they can still access the outside whenever they want. There are four-way locking styles that allow you to control whether your pet is able to go out and prevent other animals from coming in.
You could even opt for a wooden style if you do not want to affect the aesthetic of your new extension too much.
Warm it up in the winter
Conservatories also have a reputation of getting cooler than the rest of the house in the winter. While they are much better insulated these days, there are still some ways to warm them up so your pooch can rest in comfort.
For instance, you could add lots of rugs and soft furnishings to the room. Put plenty of blankets on their bedding as well, as these help trap the heat in.
Daily Paws also recommends a heated dog bed, which is made of faux wool and corduroy and holds the pet’s body heat to keep it warm all night long.
If they are in a crate, you could drape a blanket over the top, as this traps the heat inside.
Don’t forget to turn the heating on in the conservatory as well, keep the curtains or blinds closed, and avoid opening windows or doors to keep the cold weather out.