# Planning a Deck With Pets in Mind | BigDecks Austin September 08, 2026 · BigDecks Pets are part of how many households use the yard. A dog may follow the same route from the door every morning, pause beside a chair, or wait at the gate. Those routines are useful information when planning a new deck or connected outdoor space. BigDecks designs and builds real-wood outdoor spaces in Austin and Central Texas, including wood and steel fencing. Bring your pets' habits into the design discussion alongside the furniture, views, and activities you want the deck to support. ## Follow the daily route Start at the door your household uses most often. Trace the route to the yard, a preferred resting place, and any gate. Notice where that route crosses seating or the place you expect to carry food outside. Describe the habits that matter to your project. Does a pet wait near the door, investigate a particular corner, or stay close to someone sitting outside? The designer can use those observations when comparing layouts without assuming that every household with pets needs the same deck. ## Review gates with the whole household in mind Look at how people enter and leave the property and how the gates relate to the deck. Include everyday use, deliveries, yard work, and access needed for proposed outdoor equipment. Discuss where a gate opens and how it affects the route through the space. Share relevant pet behavior when the fence or gate is assessed. Discuss the proposed openings, height, and hardware in relation to your household and how you use the yard. Wood and steel fencing can be considered with the deck as part of an agreed project scope. ## Plan a place to pause Identify the places where you and your pets already spend time. Look at the setting at different times of day and note where you would like shade or a more sheltered sitting area. Include a place for a water bowl if that belongs in your routine, while keeping the walking route in view. Discuss the deck's sun exposure and the areas where you want shade. Ask how the proposed material and finish will fit that setting and what care guidance will apply. ## Make everyday cleaning part of the brief Think through the trip from the yard back indoors. If muddy paws are a regular part of that route, describe where you currently pause to clean up and what would make the arrangement easier. A place for towels or another storage solution may be worth including in the plan. If you also want an outdoor shower, raise it as a separate component. BigDecks offers outdoor bathing, but the proposed equipment, location, access, and related work need their own review. Do not assume a deck edge can become a rinse station without considering the complete scope. ## Review the surface and its care Review the actual boards and finish proposed for your deck. Ask which care instructions apply, how the surface will be prepared, and what is included in the quote. Tell the team which areas see daily use and ask how the proposed material should be cared for. BigDecks OG 4×12 describes real-wood surface boards in Douglas fir or Western red cedar. The little g uses 2×10 surface boards in those species. See the [deck options](https://bigdecks.co/#signature) to compare their appearance. ## Agree on access during the work Before construction is scheduled, discuss which areas the work will affect and how the household will manage pets around access routes and gates. Make responsibilities clear rather than relying on someone to remember an informal arrangement. For a project combining several outdoor elements, paid [Design Assist](https://bigdecks.co/#design-assist) provides a 3D design and plan. Its fee is credited to the build if the project proceeds; straightforward builds have no design fee. [Share your project](https://bigdecks.co/#hero-quote) with photographs and a short description of daily routines. Those details help the plan reflect the household that will actually use it. Planning a project? [Explore BigDecks OG 4×12](https://bigdecks.co/#signature), [estimate your deck](https://bigdecks.co/price/), or work through your layout with [Design Assist](https://bigdecks.co/#design-assist). Material availability, pricing, and site requirements are confirmed for your project. ## More from the journal - [Small Backyard Deck Planning in Austin | BigDecks](https://bigdecks.co/blog/decks-for-small-austin-backyards/) - [Built-In Deck Seating in Austin | BigDecks](https://bigdecks.co/blog/decks-with-built-in-seating-for-austin-backyards/) - [Decks for Entertaining in Austin | BigDecks](https://bigdecks.co/blog/decks-for-entertaining-large-groups-in-austin/) ![Broad wood decking and exposed board ends on a BigDecks project](https://bigdecks.co/images/projects/Forrest-127-web.webp)A BigDecks project. Real wood. Size matters. ## Start with the original. Our signature OG 4×12 boards set the scale. Explore the materials and get an estimate for your space. [Price your deck →](https://bigdecks.co/price/?wood=og-df) [Talk through your project](https://bigdecks.co/#hero-quote) --- [View this page](https://bigdecks.co/blog/deck-builders-for-austin-homes-with-pets/) · [Contact BigDecks](https://bigdecks.co/contact/) · [Agent guide](https://bigdecks.co/llms.txt)