Is it possible to organize your dog’s supplies? Read on to see how easy it can be to get pet gear under control.
From food to leashes to toys, dogs have so much stuff! And it seems to scatter everywhere! I honestly feel like my dogs have more stuff than when I had two babies in the house.
The truth is, that you can organize your dog’s supplies. It takes a little effort, but it’s so worth it!
Is it Worth the Effort to Organize Dog Supplies?
If you are blessed to have a dog, you know that he/she is so much more than just a “pet” – dogs are part of the family!
Like any other family member, dogs can easily complicate our lives as we try to remember where we put their brush or when we gave them the last dose of heartworm medicine.
I’ve worked hard to get my dog’s supplies organized because once done, it saves so much time and energy.
- I know exactly when to give medications and where they are kept
- I know how to contact the vet, groomer, daycare, sitter
- when something (leash, collar, etc) breaks, I know where to find spares
- I know where grooming supplies are stored
- we can take a trip to the park at a moment’s notice
- walks are efficient because everything I need is in a handy location
- food is replenished as soon as it starts to run low
- dogs thrive on consistency and calm
- it’s easy to transition information to the pet sitter and maintain routine
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20 Easy Ways to Organize Dog Supplies
No one wants to be scrambling for vet records when it’s time to drop the pooch at the boarding kennel.
Or trying to remember when he’s due for his next round of flea prevention.
And running out of food – that would be a travesty!
I’ve tested all of these organizational tips out on my own pooch, so I know they work. I’m all about keeping life as simple as possible, and that goes for my adorable Ozzie as well.
I’ve organized my tips by category, so you can implement them one “batch” at a time if you don’t want to jump in with everything at once.
My basic organizational categories are Food, Medications, Toys, Walks, Treats, and “Be Prepared”.
- Food
- Medications
- Toys
- Walks
- Treats
- Be Prepared
How to Organize Your Dog’s Food:
You have to feed your pup every day – maybe, like I do with Ozzie, it’s twice a day. It only makes sense to do what you can to make the process efficient. Here’s what works in our home.
1. Set up an automated system of food delivery.
Especially if your dog is large and his food comes in heavy, awkward bags, it’s so worth it to have it dropped on your doorstep. Your back will thank you, believe me!
Chewy.com has a great auto-ship system, allowing you to change delivery dates as needed, and you can add and subtract items anytime up until a few days before your order ships. They even send reminder emails! Many items are discounted when placed on an auto-ship order, too.
I’m a loyal Chewy shopper, but Amazon and PetSmart also have auto-ship available, so you can use the service you prefer.
I’m also a big fan of Ollie for fresh food, and they auto-ship as well. Ozzie gets a combination of Ollie Chicken Blend and kibble at every meal. Interested? Try it now and get 50% off your first order.
2. Keep dog food in a convenient location for you (but not accessible to your dog!)
This location could be on the pantry floor, the laundry room, or just inside the garage (my preference).
3. Store the food in a bin with a snapping lid, preferably with wheels.
Stackable containers are good to use, too, especially if space is limited.
This will help maintain freshness and keep undesirable bugs and critters out. Keep a measuring scoop inside, marked for the proper serving size.
4. Protect the area around food and water bowls.
Wherever you feed your dog, make sure the food and water bowls are set on an oversized, waterproof mat, to curb spills and drips as much as possible.
If your dog is really messy with water, you may want to add a towel or two under the water bowl.
How to Organize Your Dog’s Medications:
Even the healthiest dog will need regular heartworm and flea protection, and an occasional prescription, too.
5. Keep all medications in a box with a lid, out of the reach of curious children, and away from human medication.
6. Give your dog her recurring medications on the first of every month.
7. Put a reminder on your phone’s calendar, so you don’t miss doses.
8. Keep Records Updated at the Boarding Kennel and Groomer.
When your dog receives boosters at the vet, ask them to send the records to your boarding facility so that they are always up-to-date. You don’t want to need last-minute boarding in an emergency, only to be turned down because your dog’s records are outdated.
Send them to your groomer, too.
9. Keep a folder with all of your dog’s paperwork together in one location – ideally, right in the medication box.
This should contain vet records, emergency visits, and rabies documentation. Pet allergy info should also be in the mix. I’ve found that it’s generally best to keep medicines and medical records together.
How to Organize Your Dog’s Toys:
10. Have a system for sorting toys for cleaning, repairs, and replacement.
11. On the first of the month (right after you give your dog his monthly medication), go through your pet’s toy basket and remove all toys that are worn out, or need to be washed or repaired.
Just like children, your dog will get bored playing with the same toys all the time.
Consider rotating them, and only giving her a few at a time.
Most dogs enjoy squeaking, tugging, and chewable toys, and many respond to puzzle toys like this one and this hide and seek game. Give her a good variety of toys without going overboard on quantity.
She will be much more interested in having a few interesting toys than if she has the same huge pile all of the time.
12. Use a basket to store toys.
Speaking of toy baskets – use a basket with handles, so it’s easy to move around as you pick up toys or when you are vacuuming.
Choose a basket that your dog can access so that she can get toys on her own when she wants them.
Avoid plastic or woven baskets if your dog is a chewer.
If your dog likes to spread his toys around, it may make sense to have baskets in several different rooms.
How to Organize Your Dog’s Walks:
Make an effort to walk your dog consistently, even if you have a large yard for playtime.
Walks teach the dog about the world around him, encourage socializing, and provide quality one-on-one time with you.
13. Store everything you need for walks near whichever door you exit on your walks.
You could toss everything in a basket, keep items on a shelf or in a drawer. Experiment to find what works best.
You’ll need a leash, poop bags, sunglasses (for you), earbuds, and sneakers (again, for you). You may also need sweaters and/or booties for your dog, depending on your climate.
14. Purchase a poop bag holder that attaches directly to the leash, so that you always have extras.
You never know when you’ll need them.
15. Keep a supply of old towels near your exit door.
Be ready to dry pup off on rainy days without tracking mud and debris throughout the house.
How to Organize Your Dog’s Treats:
16. Create a treat station on the kitchen counter, with each type in a different container.
Label containers if any treats are for medical purposes (arthritis support, probiotics, etc.), or if you have more than one dog but certain treats are only to be given to one of them.
Consider making homemade treats instead of store-bought. They tend to be healthier, and cheaper too! Check here and here for some ideas on easy-to-make treats.
Invest in one or two treat-dispensing toys such as the super-popular and indestructible Kongs. I recommend pre-filling them with small treats and yogurt or peanut butter, and keeping them in the freezer for last-minute use.
On hot days, freeze chicken broth in ice cube trays and give a couple of cubes at a time to keep your dog hydrated and cool.
How to Be Prepared for Almost Anything:
For Trips to the Beach or Park:
17. Keep a portable water bowl, towels, balls, and a visor or ball cap (for you) in the trunk of your car.
Toss in a water bottle or two right before you leave.
Note: do not store filled water bottles in the car, as they can heat up and chemicals in the plastic can leach into the water.
For Boarding:
18. Pre-pack a daycare/overnight bag with bowls, blanket, toys, and instructions for emergencies.
This will ensure easy transitions to boarding facilities – just add food and treats, and your pup is ready to roll.
For Grooming:
19. Stock a grooming basket or caddy with your dog’s brush, furminator, shampoo, nail trimmer, toothbrush, and any other supplies.
20. Designate one location for all pet supplies.
That way you always know exactly where to find whatever your pet needs.
The toy basket and walking supplies are exceptions.
Everything else related to your dog can be stored together in a convenient location such as a closet or laundry room.
Read More:
- 7 Recipes for Homemade Dog Treats Your Pup Will Devour
- The Best Dog Food for Your Pup
- DIY Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Treats
- Smart Ways to Simplify Housework
Final Thoughts on 20 Ways to Organize Your Dog Supplies
Follow these tips to organize dog supplies, and I’m sure you will find that life with your pup is indeed simpler and less stressful. And you know what that means – more time for playing fetch and giving belly rubs.
Everyone wins!
Do you have ideas to add to this list? I’d love to hear them!
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I totally agree that dogs are 100% family!! I have two pooches and they are the biggest babies you can imagine lol Your dog is really cute too!! Great tips!! One thing that helps me remember to give the flees and ticks medicine is these little stickers they come with!! I just stick them in my calendar and I know when to give the next dose!!!
I love pets, especially dogs. I m soon planning to adopt one. This information is really helpful to me. Thanks
Oh, Jais! You will never regret adopting a dog! We have had four rescue dogs and they have all been wonderful. Enjoy and good luck!
Excellent tips for keeping all those dog items organized and ensuring that nothing gets lost. Dogs are fantastic to have, but I definitely agree that we need to have a place for all their things. We use just a simple plastic bin for everything for our dog and it works out well. I know exactly where everything is and since I am regularly getting things from it I can see if we are starting to run low on treats or other necessary items.
Thanks for reading, Sarah! It sounds like you have a good system worked out, and I really like your idea of using a big bin to keep everything together. Running out of treats is the worst, right? You have to quickly improvise while being stared at by those big, sad puppy dog eyes! Glad you enjoyed the article and found it useful.
Lori