apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I so very much want a dog, but being gone 11 hours a day stops me from taking the leap into parenthood. Maybe someday...

We have two cats. The youngest, a little female, pretty much bosses the rest of us around.

We have a 6-month old dog. I'm stealing the pet bed idea from the January Jumpstart for her.

I'm surprised at how many of us have pets!

Do fish count? Because we have a lot of fish.

I desperately want to rescue a cat or two. Hopefully this will be the year.

Home is where your dog is:o)

Two cats, two dogs. I can't imagine life without them. Slipcovers, Roombas, and Litter-Robot are my friends!

re: pet item posts, i will suggest the policy i have in place for pet-related gifts from family:

items for your house that are useful for your pets = good

items for your house that feature pets emblazoned on them = less good

We have a 6 year old pug.
Since we don't have children, he's my little boy ^O^ who gives me UNCONDITIONAL luv!!!

I *wish* I could have a dog. When I moved in, the ad said cats and dogs under 25 lbs. Shortly thereafter, when I went to get written proof for the dog adoption group that I was allowed to have a dog, I found out the landlord changed the policy. Apparently someone had a misbehaving pomeranian that destroyed the hardwood floors. Cats are allowed but I'm severely allergic. So I have a very boring fish named Mr Pink.

I'd love to have a pet, either a cat or a dog; unfortunately, my lease doesn't permit either, and I'm away from home so much it would seem unfair to my furry familiar, so I'm just extra loving with those of friends and others.

My husband and I have 3 rescued cats and one very energetic puppy - out house would feel too calm without them!

I've got two persian cats and a little pink corn snake. my roomies have a boston terrier, a chihuahua mix, an elderly chihuahua foster dog, and 2 rats.

We have a golden retriever and two cats. It seems that almost all of our home decor decisions revolve around them i.e. will pet hair show on this? will the cats want to tear this to shreds? is this machine-washable in case of accidents?
They are my family and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Would if I could.

I have a mini-dachshund who is my sweet angle face... and my parents (who I currently live with) have an overgrown Great Dane, who thinks she's a mini- dachshund!

Two pugs. :)

As much as we would love to get a dog, our work schedules would mean s/he'd be alone 15 hours a day. Good compromise: hamsters! We had two (one recently went on to that big wheel in the sky), and they have been perfect pets for "small living." The only drawback as far as design is concerned is that I have not found a single nice looking cage. I would love some suggestions on ways to dress up or change some of the cages on the market to make them a little more chic but remain safe for the hams to run and play.

We have two cats (Siamese and rescued alley cat) and two dogs (rescued Bulldog/Lab mix and rescued American Pit Bull Terrier) and a Ball Python. All of our decisions about our home are made with the zoo in mind. Sometimes they make things very difficult but I wouldn't have it any other way.

just adopted a rescue dog a month and a half ago and he is the sweetest thing ever. people are constantly stopping to tell us how cute our dog is (but i don't want to brag or anything)

Nougat, go for it having had a cat for 17 years i can tell you cats are so low maintenance, they're like having fish! All of the cats i had were rescues ( i can't get over the fact that there are people who actually buy a cat) and i feel like they know they're rescues and really appreicate (and take over) their new home.

Two cats, both rescues.

2 rescue dogs- LOVE them!

Five cats (three rescued from our nice local humane society, two were born to a feral cat outside before we took them in), a hamster, and a guinea pig! The one huge deciding factor on where I live is; will the place accept pets. I'd never be able to live without my babies!

I have a dachshund. I looked for a dachshund for years. I spotted her on a picture in a rainy day and when I saw her it was love. When she came into our house I could keep her in two hands. I slept with her on the sofa many nights when she was crying all night after her arrival. I feed her and cure her, I wash her and I bring her to the doctor's, I keep her on a diet to avoid overweight and health problems, I cook for her, I play with her. The only thing I don't but seldom is taking her out for a walk, this is hubby's task. She loves him, I'm just the-one-who-brings-food...

Three rescue cats. One of my main motivations for owning was wanting to have pets. It's *extremely* difficult to find apartment buildings that allow pets in my city.

Swan - how big is your place? I recently was pondering whether 3 cats would be too much for my 1 bedroom (I now have 1). Indoor only cats.

A rescued wiener boy who knows deep down in his heart that he rescued me. We have a relationship that works well. He barks out the orders and I do what he says. He's nice and warm against my back on a chilly night.

Spoiled? Never. He considers it an entitlement program.

Two dogs - rescues. Love at first sight. Best thing I ever did.

I'd put it off for so long because of my schedule but, what do you know, I was able to make it work. In fact, I've made so many friends from walking my dogs in the neighborhood, that there's always someone available to let them out or watch them. Even when it wasn't so easy, the unconditional love, the joy, and the laughs made it all worthwhile.

Two pitbull-mixes, Satio and Sayumi - brother and sister - and one 9 year old black cat named Roxy, aka Meatwad, aka Meat-meat, aka Roxus Felix Felinicus Meatwadicus (named after spending many hours watching I CLAUDIUS) - who also has no tail and skwawks at you.

Had pets my entire life and refuse to live without them.

My husband and I have a golden retriever and two cats (sisters that we rescued). Despite the fur, and occasional mess (hairball anyone?) they are so worth it. Like others have commented, a lot of our decor decisions have revolved around the pets since bringing them into our lives. Slip covered sofa, items that won't highlight pet hair (our navy bordred rug has to go), and things that are easily washable. That kind of thing. But it has been so worth it. I love all my critters.

I want a dog sooooooooooo badly! Alas, being in college, I can't afford one at the moment. But! Once I've got a job, hopefully within the next year, I'll definitely be adopting one!

I would like to have a stepped bookcase/storage, but not a tansu, to "enrich" my cat's environment (she wants to get higher in the apartment and sometimes meows at me because she cannot make it so; she also rock-climbs the brick walls in the hallway). I thought about getting some salvaged stairs somewhere, but that's not going to happen soon, I suspect. Any ideas?

An 18 year old Siamese mix (with extra toes). Since he sheds, black has long ceased to be a good clothes color choice.

We have a 5-month-old chihuahua, Beck (named after the musician). He looks more like a terrier-mix though and has floppy ears instead of the normal bat-like ones.

He has an affinity for running away with dryer sheets and finding fuzz on the carpet. Probably moving to DC area in June, seems like it might be tough to find a pet-friendly apartment there....

We have two rescue-dogs. Since we are starting to work longer hours, we've decided to hire a reputable dog-walker to walk them three times a week. Otherwise they are good to stay indoors for up to 12 hours, accident-free, although quite anxious when we get home. Because there are two, they keep each other company in the daytime.

Pixie - I live in a 2 bedroom, slightly less than 800 sqft house. I think the layout of the house enables us to have so many pets. For instance, we have an out-of-the-way mudroom that is perfect for the litterbox which we scoop at least twice a day (if someone gets haphazard about covering then it's more). I also vaccuum and sweep everyday and mop about every five days or so. I think you can have a few animals in a small space if you're diligent about cleaning up after them.

Also, during Pet Month last year someone submitted photos of shelves he put up for his cats - single shelves anchored to the wall and the tops were covered with Flor tiles. They looked great and his cats loved them.

4 pets, all rescues - 3 cats & 1 dog. I've found it to be surprisingly easy to find landlords who don't have a problem with that many pets in the Washington, DC, area.

I have a dog and a cat - both rescues in my manhattan apartment. I'd love to see some posts on (i) ideas for dog beds that are stylish and fit with the home's decor and (ii) ideas for concealing the litter box.

Swan-thanks. I remember those shelves and think I saved them to delicious. That's always an option in the back of my mind, although making things like that stay up on walls (much less beneath a cat) isn't my strong suit.

Anybody else have thoughts on the 3 cats in a one bedroom (allegedly 700 sq ft)? I've lived with multiple cats, just never in a one bedroom and where they can't go out. I do have a roomba (it's in disrepair at the moment) and I would have to figure out the litter box situation with such an increase in production.

JenEvans86 - many people in DC have dogs and I know many who are in rentals. Live near a dog park!

Pixie - I too wanted something similar to a tansu, but not an actual tansu ($2,000 is too much!). So I bought a bunch of these modular cubes:

http://www.ezcube.info/home/default.asp

They sell them at Sears, and they're on sale now:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_For the Home_Furniture %26 Storage_Media Room?keyword=ez cube&sLevel=1%7C2&sLevel=0

I bought the big four-cube stacker, one little quad cube, and two cubes with doors and put them together in a step cabinet. I keep my books and other little office supplies in it. It's great - looks very nice. My cat loves it.

The instructions are very well-written and easy to follow.

I wish I was getting a kickback for this endorsement!

Oh yeah, and: Life without cats is crap.

(That goes for dogs and other animals, too.)

Pteetsa - much thanks--on sale too! I'm on it.

"Other"

My girlfriend and I are debating on a Savannah A1 cat (the kind that look like mini leopards) or a Frenchie, once we move into our new place in the next few months.

Oh, Pixie - I just saw your other post. I live in a similar apartment. I had two indoor cats, but now I just have the one. I have been wondering if I could conceivably have three cats. I would like to get a pair of boy kittens/teenagers (I've never had a male cat). But I worry three cats is too much for my living space. The logical part of my brain is telling me that three might be too much work and I don't know if I even have the space for multiple litter boxes, etc., but still - brother cats!! So I'm with you, is anyone here in a similar living situation and can tell us how much work, reasonably, three cats is? Thanks!

Also, I beg all of you - don't buy animals from pet stores or breeders. There are so many - millions - of animals languishing in shelters. Mixed breeds are smarter and hardier than purebreds. And I think a rescue understands and is grateful to you when you have saved its life.

Ok, I'm done. Thanks!

Pteetsa - I have been thinking for a while of getting one other cat to keep my cat company (I have also heard that cats don't really want a little friend, they want to be YOUR friend). One foster cat that I was hoping to adopt really didn't work out. (BTW, fostering is an excellent way to see if the animals are compatible. It's win-win, since the animal needs a foster too).

The thought of 3 cats never occured to me until I saw a pair of sibling 9 month olds at one of the pet adoption events I volunteer for. I just loved them and wanted them to be able to stay together. But, since I went on public transportation, there was no possibility of taking them home to foster, so I've had a cooling off period. The thought has also crossed my mind that I will be crossing over into "cat lady" land!

I wasn't going to say anything, since I didn't want to incur any wrath, but I agree with you on urging people to adopt a rescue or shelter cat. Although the Savannah cats are really beautiful. But, it is very true that mixed breeds are healthier and hardier. And there are so, so many cats that need homes. People, neuter your pets! (End of rant.)

AT, we really need a pet site!

...because there are so many issues that are particular to cohabiting with pets in apartments and small spaces and also with figuring out clever and beautiful ways to intergrate their needs and stuff into our spaces.

Pixie, I'm worried about becoming that crazy cat lady, too. Two seems safe, you know, cat companions, but three - will I alienate boyfriends forever?! :-) I would like a dog in the future, too, so I have to consider that. Cats are more independent than dogs, but I'm reading more and more that they do need companions.

And I agree that AT should have a pet site. As in, where can I find an efficient, cozy, attractive, but inexpensive cat tree? AT, please stop posting $500 pet furniture! You know cats never use anything you've spent money on. :-)

Yes, a beautiful cat tree!

2 furry cats, the boyz aka Mr. P and Mr. E or fat boy and psycho..
got them from some gays that found a huge liter under their house. moma was a wild cat, and they look like main coon cats, with the whole furry feet (LOVE THEM) huge bit tail, and the maniac love for water. oh yeah and they talk. cant make them shut up. especially Psycho boy. i tried not to pay attention to him to see if he stops but...nope.
well at least most of the times i know what they want.
as far as boyfriends, last one adored them.
next one..has to too no way around it.

i think pixie is right, we need an AT pets. with pet adoption board et all.
and YES dont buy animals please...go rescue them, they'll be forever grateful!

Oh yeah, Troz, don't get me wrong - if a guy doesn't like cats, he's out. It's a dealbreaker. But I've got a good one now. :-)

3 cats and a dog! How I have learned to love the animal hair on every surface of my life....

I'm with t-dawg... please don't give me things with cats or dogs on them. I also suffer because my nickname is cat... :P "your supposed to put a picture of your cat in this cat frame, not yourself..." hahaha eh.

I have a huge sealpoint snowshoe boy (a wild child) and a wonderful Russian blue-esque girl.

And today I saw the pet supply company commercial featuring Echo the dog, who is waiting to be adopted. I cried. It was so sad.

Two cats & brothers - Noireau & Milou

An elderly Birman cat who spends all his time wrapped around the register to keep warm. Two small fuzzy dogs who great squirrel hunters - fenced yard to patrol. I wouldn't trade my boys for anything.

I have 2 cats, I got the 2nd cat to keep the 1st one company. He was very bored/lonely on his own. Love my boys, Loki and Julius.

Being a Vet student pets are a must. I live in a small two bedroom apartment and I once had about 5 dogs (medium to large sized strays) running around here waiting to find a permanent home, that really kept me on my toes.

I´m moving next week to a house with a backyard and my 13 year old shep mix is going to love me for it, no more busy kids running around while he just wants to sleep in the sun.
I also have an adorable guinea pig (I don´t usually brag but he´s got a really neat house) and I´m thinking of getting him a friend.

There´s going to be a couple more Vet students living with me and it´s going to be interesting to see how long it takes us before the animals take up the house and we end up sleeping outside in tents. :) We´re also going to have an artist in the house, I´m just hoping they don´t try to paint zebra stripes on the walls

I have five cats (who are my children) and I spent years looking for stylish furniture and products for them. I could never find a good, comprehensive online resource dedicated solely to modern cat products, so I started www.moderncat.net. Check it out if you're looking for designer decor ideas to accommodate both your cat and your sense of style!

I'm also a big supporter of cat rescue organizations. Yeah to everybody who has rescued pets!

i have a cat. i guess he's a rescued cat, but i don't feel like i rescued him so much as just brought him home where he belongs.

i second the idea for a pet site :)

A pet site would be awesome!

You can find a number of inexpensive cat trees and litter box hideaways at the Ikea Hacker blog under their "pet furnitue" tag: http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/search/label/pet%20furniture

There's also this very clever litterbox hider for anyone who just isn't able to tuck the box away in a corner or closet: http://www.kattbank.com/home.htm

Sorry for the double post, but I just found retro modern kitty (or small doggie) beds on ebay: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZlikekittysville

Found by way of Leah Hennen's More Ways to Waste Time blog

I don't have any pets (sadly I'm allergic) but can recommend this site for decent-looking cat furniture (the Lotus looks way nicer than a carpeted "cat condo") and "hidden" litter boxes:
http://www.therefinedfeline.com/

And for dog furniture:
http://www.therefinedcanine.com/

I have an 18-year-old rescue cat. I love the idea of a pet section on AT. I'm trying to help a friend find a place for a litter box in his condo; all product hacks are welcome. :)

I have a dog.

Pteetsa & Pixie - I agree adoption and rescue are the best for the pet population. Mixed breed pets are not however healthier and smarter. Like all pets they're only as healthy and smart as the parents they come from. Good breeders do genetic testing of parents to ensure healthy offspring and better the breed by eliminating defects. Mixed breed pets haven't been tested for inherited traits. Hybrid vigor is a myth currently being promoted heavily by "designer breed" breeders of lab/poodle and retriever/poodle mixes. What applies to sweet pea plants doesn't necessarily apply to mammals.

swerve - not a fabulous solution, but the only place I can really figure out to put a catbox is in the bathroom (this might be a big duh, but for what it's worth). The space between the loo and the wall is too narrow for a regular size catbox and I discovered there are smaller ones that fit the bill. My devilish cat was kicking out all the litter, and, after a consultation with pet store staff, they started stocking this thing that clips on top to contain the litter (it snaps down on top and it narrows the opening). Putting that on top of the box cut way down on the kicked out litter. I read (likely here) that cats don't like the enclosed cat boxes.

This site has had a lot of posts on catbox solutions.