If you’ve ever lived with pets in a small space, you know they require some space for feeding and storing all the supplies they require. Fortunately, your pet gear can blend into your home with a pet feeding station.
Different home décor websites sell pet feeding cabinets that have integrated storage for pet food, bowls and leashes, but you can also modify an existing cabinet if you’re on a budget. I found this cabinet on the side of the road and was able to bring it back to life with a new coat of stain and paint, new drawer pulls and a custom-cut dog bowl insert.
Tips for Creating an Attractive Pet Feeding Station
The ideal cabinet for creating a decorative pet feeding station has a mix of drawers and cabinets. Store pet food behind closed doors by removing the shelves in one section of the cabinet.
Use an adhesive hook to hang the pet food scoops on the inside wall of the cabinet. As a bonus, add some labels with pet names and feeding amounts to make it easy for the pet sitter when you travel.
If your cabinet can’t hold the pet food, try using a decorative container with a sealing lid, such as an old popcorn tin spray painted to match your décor.
Turn the bottom drawer into a food bowl holder so you can tuck the bowl away when not in use. Cut a thin foam or MDF board to fit on top of the bottom drawer. Next, use a jigsaw to cut a hole in the middle of the board so the dog bowl can be suspended in the drawer. Wrap some adhesive shelf paper around the board to make it easy to clean.
Use the remaining cabinet space to hold all your other pet accessories, such as extra treats, toys, medications, canned food, collars and leashes.
Feeding Dogs and Cats Together?
If you have both dogs and cats, the pet feeding station is especially useful. Cats can eat on top of the cabinet so the dogs can’t reach the cat food bowls.
A cabinet can also be modified to hide cat litter (from guests as well as your dogs). Just use a jigsaw to cut an entry and exit hole in the side or back of the cabinet, and use the door to access the cat litter box for cleaning.
I hope these tips have inspired you to rethink the ways you stash pet supplies in your home. With just a little creative thinking, your pets’ food and gear can easily be tucked out of sight without taking up valuable closet space – and without detracting from your home’s style.
For more tips on happily sharing your apartment with pets, check out these topics:
