Pets are part of the family. Just as you need to feel at home in your apartment, so does your furry roommate–and just like you need a spot to unwind, so does your animal.
Pet Proofing
Before you create your pet space, make sure your apartment is safe. A good way to check is to get down on the floor and look at the apartment from your pet’s level. You may find tempting wires or dropped objects you didn’t know existed. Ideally, you want to keep your floors clean and wires off the ground. Find methods of running wire along the walls rather than on the floor.
Keep your apartment organized. Pets love chewing on shoes and clothes and are in danger of getting into hazardous materials. Keep cleaning supplies in cabinets. Consider adding child locks to doors that hide these kinds of chemicals. Hang clothing up and keep shoes in a bedroom closet.
Flooring can be an issue for pets as well. Most animals don’t like hardwood because they slide around when trying to walk or run. If your apartment has this feature, consider getting a non-slip rug. This way your pets will have traction when moving throughout your pet-friendly apartment.
Creating Your Pet Space
Pick a spot in your apartment that is just for your pet. Get a dog pillow for your puppy and put all of its toys in a basket near by. When it wants to relax, it’ll have its own spot. Use a cat house for a kitten. You’ll also want to keep its scratching post and other toys in the same area. These pets spaces don’t need to be big. A corner spot will do the trick.
Of course, you’ll also need to decorate your pet’s new area! Here are some of our favorite pet spaces from Pinterest:
