Just like humans, pets need a private space for relaxation and solitude. Creating a designated area for your dog or cat offers them a retreat from the bustle of daily life and can reduce stress and anxiety. It’s also a way to ensure they’re safe and secure when you’re not able to keep an eye on them.
While every pet is different, there are a few essentials you’ll want to include to make sure your four-legged friend gets the most from this space. Here’s how to create a safe, cozy haven for your pet.
How to create a pet-safe space
Choose a low-traffic area
When crafting a pet-safe zone for your furry companion, it’s best to choose a quieter area of your home. This gives them more privacy and minimizes the chances of disturbances that could disrupt their sleep. Corners of rooms and small alcoves are great options that tend to have less traffic than hallways and main living spaces.
Do a safety check
It’s vital to make sure that the area you’ve designated for your dog or cat is pet-proof. This means it’s free of any potential dangers such as exposed wires and cords, sharp objects, choking hazards, or potentially toxic foods and chemicals. Before you leave your pet in this area, do a quick sweep to ensure that none of these items have made their way inside the space.
It’s also wise to be mindful of anything hanging on the walls above the area — either make sure these items are very secure or avoid putting anything there at all.
Give them comfortable bedding
No pet area is complete without a cozy spot to sleep. Provide your dog or cat with a comfortable bed or a crate with a soft pad and lots of blankets. They’ll be spending a lot of time in this space, so make it as enticing as possible with all of their favorite comforts.
Keep toys in the area
While your pet will likely be sleeping and relaxing in this space majority of the time, every once and a while, they may get the urge to play. Keep a variety of toys and activities in this space so they can engage as they please — just make sure you only leave the safest toys in there when you’re not present.
For dogs, this might include healthy chews and interactive toys. For cats, you can consider adding activity centers like scratching posts and cat trees to keep them entertained.
Ensure the temperature is comfortable
Depending on where you live and what season it is, indoor temperatures can fluctuate drastically if you don’t adjust your thermostat to a comfortable level. It’s important to monitor the indoor temperature near your dog or cat’s private space and ensure it’s not too hot or cold. Most cats are at risk of heat-related issues starting at just 80°F, and dogs begin to show signs of overheating when temperatures hit between 81–85°F. This can happen at even lower temperatures for long-haired pets.
Provide easy access to water and food
Your pet’s space should offer easy access to fresh, clean water at all times. If your pet is reluctant to drink water, you can consider a pet water fountain, which encourages pets to hydrate and prevents kidney and liver disease.
If you’re not able to feed your pet for a long time, make sure their food bowl is full and accessible as well.
Create boundaries
To give your pet a more private space, you can use gates to block off a designated area. This not only ensures that they stay inside their safe zone if you have to leave them alone but also creates a physical boundary so other family members respect their space.
Keep it clean
No one wants a messy space — including pets! Create a cleaning schedule for your pet’s area and use this time to wash bedding, sweep the floor, and clean toys and food and water bowls. This is also a great time to clean out your cat’s litter box and replace the litter. Keeping your pet’s space clean will help keep both your pet and your home smelling fresh.
Create positive associations
The ultimate goal is to make sure your pet feels safe and loves their space. Help them create positive associations with this area by giving praise and treats when they go inside. This can help reduce separation anxiety, improve sleep, and create healthy emotional and physical boundaries.
At the end of the day, your pet doesn’t need anything fancy to make their space feel special. A safe, cozy area with their bed, toys, and some water will go a long way in ensuring your furry friend is safe, happy, and secure.
