Pets Need Organization Too

Leashes, toys, treats, bowls, and more…your pet’s “stuff” takes up space.  How do you keep it neat and orderly?

1. MAKE DINING EASY.

With one dog, you simply fill the bowl and the food disappears.  With multiple dogs, they need to investigate one another’s bowls and maybe carry them around.  Plastic dishes can become favorite chew toys while metal or ceramic dishes keep finding their way into the yard.  The last thing you want to do is go on a hide and seek expedition when it’s feeding time.  With cats, one often has multiple feeding and water bowls throughout the house.

Solution: A stationary feeding unit prevents dishes from disappearing or becoming chewed up.  Store food and treats close by.  Large plastic containers will keep food fresh and protected from curious paws. A bowl stand or a mat under the bowls can help keep the area neat and dry.

2. TOY STORY.

Pet toys get spread all over the house and yard.  If you’re not careful, you’ll slip on a wayward Kong or clog your vacuum with your cat’s string toys.  To keep things neat, you can easily clean everything up a few times a week.

Solution: Keep a basket or box near where you and your pet play together and pile the toys in there.  When its play time, you’ll both know where they are! Feeling especially ambitious? Try training your dog or cat to put away the toys for you!

3. LET’S GO FOR A WALK.

That cute handmade collar you found was just perfect for your cat? Have all the latest accessories and gadgets for your dog, from reflector jackets, collapsible bowls and fun waste-bag dispensers?  If you love outfitting your pet with new collars, matching leashes and more, it can seem like your pet needs his or her own dressing room.

Solution: Make like an organizer and only keep one out at a time for each pet on a hook by the door.  Additional collars and leashes can go into a drawer or cubbies nearby.  They’ll stay clean and easy to find.

4. PAPER-PALOOZA.

You are always up-to-date on your pet’s shots, and provide the best care to your little (or not so little) one. Of course, that is a lot of information when you need to remember type & date of said shots, last medications & dosage, and more. Sometimes you may need to access this information outside of your vet’s office hours, so, be sure to keep this info readily available.

Solution: Put your pet’s file with your own important papers—make it a bright color like red or yellow so it is easily found, in case of emergency or for a visit to a new boarding or vet facility. Make copies that you can take with you when traveling with your pet.

5. MEDS, MANAGED.

Whether your pet is taking antibiotics for an illness or monthly heartworm pills, or you just need to remember where you left the flea & tick medications, you will need a “home” for these things.

Solution: Clear a shelf in the bathroom or kitchen, wherever it makes sense for you to give your pet his medications.  You’ll always know where they go and if you need a refill.  Mark your calendar with reminders to dispense any pet medications, so you don’t risk “out of sight, out of mind.”

These are our top 5 solutions to organizing the “stuff” that is part of being a dedicated pet parent. How do you keep your pet essentials organized? Please share your tips with us on our Facebook Page!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 25th, 2012 at 2:26 pm and is filed under Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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