I have partnered with Apartment Guide to serve as an Official Apartment Guide Pet Blogger. As an official blogger, I will be sharing articles filled with tips for living on a budget. This month our topic will focus on ideas for pet-friendly decorating on a budget.
My family has five cats and a dog. I know that sounds like a lot, but it all seems to work out just fine. All of my pets get along great and they all seem to have their own spots and do their own thing.
As a pet owner, especially in a small condo which is no bigger than an average apartment, the challenge is not to let my home get over run by my pets. I don’t want people to walk in my home and right away now that we have pets (although my barking dog would be dead giveaway – ha ha). What I mean is, I don’t want the first thing people see when they step into my home are dog and cat toys, a litter box and dog beds. Ideally I would like for these things to blend into my home’s decor, or at least not be THAT noticeable.
Here are a few ideas to keep your pets entertained and comfortable while keeping your home free from clutter and looking more like a home then a pet hotel.
Cat Cubes & Tunnels – I have seen these sold just about any where that you can buy pet products. They are cubes and tubes (sold separately) that quickly fold up so you can tuck them away when company comes over.
We have a fun Twinkle Chute made by Petlinks. When one of the cats goes through it there is a little sensor that makes the chute light up. Cats LOVE lights so the moment the lights appear the cat will jump around inside to try and catch the lights. Sometimes more then one cat plays with it at a time too. The great thing about this toy is that is folds up and can be easily tucked away inside the closet or under the bed.
Cat Cubes are also a lot of fun. They easily pop up and when you need to put them away they fold up flat. The cube can be tucked away when company comes over. Some cubes even connect to one another so you can create a long cube tube.
Both the cubs and tunnels are inexpensive. I’ve seen the cubes for as low as $10 for two cubes and the tunnel ranging in price from $10-$15.
Litter Box – One of the biggest “eye sores” in any home with a cat is the litter box. No one wants to see it (or smell it). Sadly it’s a part of cat ownership unless you cat does all his business outside.
I think this is the PERFECT litter box for any home (especially if you live in a small condo or apartment). It’s a litter box and bathroom accessory all in one. The top part can be used to hold decorative pieces or beauty supplies. The bottom half is the litter box. It even come with a towl rack.
I love it! It keeps the litter box out of site for the most part. Even if your guest should use the bathroom they will not have to deal with an unsightly litter box. I think this piece is rather pretty (and functional!). I have seen this for around $104 but I am sure you can find it for less if you do a little research.
Another great litter box cover is this combination litter box, storage box and bench. One side houses the litter box. The other side can be used to store the extra litter and cat supplies. You can also use it as a bench to sit on. This would be perfect in a hallway. No one would ever suspect it was a litter box.
If your home is too small for another piece of furniture you might want to check out these fun litter box covers made by KattySacks.com. For around $30 you can purchase fabric litter box covers in different designs. They might not make the litter box less obvious in your home, but at least you can have some fun with it and make the box look a little nicer too.
The Kitty Sack covers are available in three designs.
Pet Beds – My dog and cats love to sleep in the lap of luxury. No hard wooden floors for my pets. They want to sleep in the softest spots in our home.
I LOVE this space saving KittyWalk Closet Sleeper. You can hang it inside your closet off one of the rods to provide your furry friend with a comfy, and quiet, sleeping spot.
Cats are not the only ones who love to have their own special places. Dogs do too.
I love the soft, portable and easy to fold up indoor dog houses. We had one but had to toss it out when we accidentally left it out on our balcony during a bad rain storm and it blew off the balcony and ended up in the mud. We have to get another one because both our dog and our cats loved it. You can find similar indoor dog houses for $20 or less. The one pictured below is from Animal Planet and is selling on Amazon for $19.00.
Similar to the bathroom kitty litter box (mentioned at the top of the box) you can also purchase indoor dog houses that act as end tables. These are a perfect addition to your living room. I have even seen a large one used as a TV stand.
The dog bed furniture pieces tend to be expensive so you will need to shop around to find one in your budget.
Cat Scratch Posts – Cats need to have a place to scratch. If not, say good bye to your furniture or carpet because cats will scratch at just about anything. I have one cat who refuses to use the scratch pads. Instead she uses the legs of the coffee table and dining room chair legs. Ugh!
Places like PetSmart and Petco carry a variety of scratch pads and posts. They have small mats and scratch pads that hang from a door knob. Both are very affordable (around $10-$20). These options take up a lot less space than a regular post. If your cat likes posts you can find small posts at Walmart for around $10.
One of the best products I’ve seen for cat owners who have a small space is The Climber from CatLivin.com. Not only can your cats scratch on the carpeted surface, but it can also double at a “cat tree”. Cats love to climb just as much as they love to scratch. This products gives them the best of both worlds.
It attaches easily to the door and is easily removed so you can put it away or move it to another door.
Having a pet doesn’t mean they need to take over your home. When you have a small space, such as an apartment or condo, you are limited to what you can offer your pet. However with a little imagination and the power of the Internet you can find plenty of products available that won’t hurt your budget or take up too much space in your home. Your pets will be happy and so will you!
If you liked these space saving ideas and tips you can find more on the Apartment Guide website. They have some great pet-relater articles including Bringing Home a New Pet, Pet proofing your apartment and Essential items for your apartment pet.
The Apartment Guide is much more then just pet tips and articles. The Apartment Guide offers how-to tips for making the most of your space, moving tips and so much more. Of course the Apartment Guide was created to help you find an apartment, whether you are moving across town or across the country. Visit www.ApartmentGuide.com for more information.
You can find the Apartment Guide on Facebook at Facebook.com/ApartmentGuide. You can also follow them on Twitter @AptGuide for real-time tips and updates on making the most of your space.
Kimberly
*Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. have partnered with bloggers like me as Official Apartment Guide Bloggers. As part of this program, I have received compensation. They have not told me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
i love the litter boxes that disguise as furniture, I want one.