Organising your pet supplies
May 2020
I'm a relatively new pet owner, but I've already acquired a substantial amount of stuff for my cat! Of course, there's the essential food and medicine supplies, but there's also a growing stash of irresistsable soft toys, tasty treats and disagreeable (to my cat) grooming brushes. It's a whole new world of consuming, one which brings with it a new organising challenge.
If you find yourself in a similar situation with your pampered pet, then here are 3 tips to help you keep your supplies accessible and organised for when you need them most.
1. Sort and group similar supplies together. Gather all your pet supplies from around the house and group them into piles of the same category, spreading them out so you can see exactly what you've got. You may be surprised by duplicates and long forgotten items. Assess each pile and decide what to keep and what is no longer needed. Remember to sort your pet papers too! Group everything togerher -insurance, pet plans and certificates. You might store them in a digital file or a paper one, but the key is to have everything in one place.
2. Use appropriate storage containers. Now you're ready to decide how to store your keepers. There are a wealth of storage products available, but before you buy new, you may find you can re-purpose items from around your home. Ikea cereal containers are perfect for air tight storage of dried pet food. A basket I recieved as a Christmas hamper made a perfect toy store.
Clear, plastic storage is a hygienic way to store pet food, medicines and litter. Secure clip lids are useful for stacking and keeping out hungry mouths and little hands. Use big, clear labels even though you can see what's inside. A small container in each room can also be useful for keeping essential items to hand such as grooming brushes for those opportune moments.
A medicine box is a must for your pet's comfort and your peace of mind. Where would you look for it if you needed it in a hurry? Mell Coleman, a Pedigree pet breeder says, 'it's especially important at this time of year to include allergy relief for stings and bites, as well as flea drops, silver emergency blanket, gauze, syringes, thermomenter, antispetic cream and wound powder'.
3. Create zones for specific supplies. Store your supplies where you use them or would look for them if you needed.
If you have a dog, walking supplies are ideal near your front door so you can quickly grab them on your way out and put them back easily on your return. Use drawer dividers such as empty shoe boxes to group similar items together so your supplies don't get mixed up together. Fold and stand your pet jackets so you can see them clearly.
A litter zone away from inquisitive eyes with scented nappy sacks near by for scooping daily poop is another absolute must!
Finally, a feeding station away from busy footfall areas will help your pet relax at meal times - you may even like to set up a treat station for quick behaviour rewards. A dedicated pet cupbard or shelf will also help you keep track what you have in stock so you don't run out or over shop.
So when you next feed your pet, why not scan your supplies and see wheether any of these tips help you and your furry family friends get better organised together.