Bringing a pet into your life is a big but rewarding responsibility. Part of your job is to make them feel safe and loved. The other part is to take care of their health, which means you have to purchase many supplies.
You will have to consider purchasing affordable pet insurance, toys, healthy food, and hygiene products for the well-being of your furry friend. At times, it may seem like you take better care of your pet than yourself. When your shelves are overflowing with the necessities, you need a way to have everything organized.
With the limited square footage that often comes with apartment living, this requires strategic planning. These tips will help you get your pet’s supplies tidy and organized without a lot of hassle.
1. Make a “Room” for Your Pet
Dogs, cats, and other free-roaming pets can quickly take over a house. Like children, though, they do best with structure.
When you let them know which area of the apartment is “theirs,” they’ll gravitate there most of the time. If they’re scared or nervous, this is their safe place.
All it takes is a small corner of the living room or your bedroom. Set their bed and a toybox there. Add a shelf or a nightstand to hold their non-food pet supplies.
The next step is training your furry family member that their place is there, not in your favorite spot!
2. Add a Shelf Space
Pet food has to be controlled. Storing it out of reach of your pets and any little ones you have in the home is a must.
When you designate a shelf in the kitchen or pantry for your pet’s treats and kibble, you can lock it up and keep it away from prying paws.
However, don’t forget that Fido isn’t the only one who might want to enjoy unlimited food. If pests are a problem in your area, store any open food in a sealed container.
3. Store Leashes on Hooks
If you take your pet for walks frequently, you probably spend a lot of time tracking down the last place you set the leash and harness.
This problem is solved with the simple trick of hanging a hook next to the door. Make sure it’s big enough to hold the leash. Customized leash holders do the trick and add decor to the room!
With a little nail next to the leash hook, you now have a spot to put a container full of clean-up baggies, too. Every time you go out and come in, the supplies you need are at your fingertips.
4. Keep Your Grooming Supplies Portable
Do you groom your pet yourself? If so, you know the hassle of grabbing all the supplies and an animal who may or may not be too excited about their next activity.
Bath time itself might be a messy time, but getting ready for it doesn’t have to be. Store all your pet grooming supplies in one waterproof, portable container. If it has a hook that lets you carry it on your arm, even better!
Shampoo, a towel, q-tips, nail clippers, and all your other hygiene products are in one place. No more chasing them down, then chasing your pet down when they took off!
5. Create a Potty-Place
If your pet isn’t trained to go outside or in a litter box all the time, it’s tempting to put pads down throughout the house. This actually makes potty training harder because you’re teaching them to go anywhere they want.
Living in an apartment building makes it harder to open the door and let them do their thing. Some renters find pet-friendly places with fenced-in yards. Those are the gold standard for many dog owners.
No matter the size of your yard or home, a dedicated place for your pet to go to the bathroom is essential. The sooner you can train them where to go, the faster pet ownership in your new apartment will be easier for you! If you’re moving from another city, you may be wondering — where are the best apartments for rent in Arlington to live in?
Conclusion
Many of us let our pets rule the house, and that’s fine! Pets love us unconditionally, and they bring so much joy to a home. Their supplies, on the other hand, don’t have to take over. With these tips, you can keep your pet’s things neat and orderly, giving you more time to love your animal family member.
