Lockdown Day 14: Create a Special Space for Your Pet
Staying at home during the 21 day lockdown is not easy. But if you look at the bright side of it, it’s a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your pets. No doubt, pets are a great way to improve your temperament and reduce stress. Don’t you think it’s time to reward your pet for all the unbridled love and joy they bring you in these stressful times? Whether it’s a well-appointed crate or an entire spare room, read on to learn everything you need to create the perfect pet zone for your best friend. 
1. The room itself
A pet zone doesn’t have to be massive. In fact, most pets prefer smaller spaces. Quiet, cozy, enclosed spaces remind them of their ancestral dens. Also, limiting your pet’s access to the rest of the house may prevent unwanted behaviors. Almost any spare space in your home can double as a pet room — a laundry room, spare bedroom, or even a large walk-in closet. If you live in a small apartment, a baby gate or playpen provides a secure boundary, but can be folded up and stashed out of sight when you’re home. 
2. Safety is important
Once you’ve finalised your pet zone, it’s time to make it safe. If you have a young, anxious pup, or a curious cat you’d want to take steps to make the environment safer.
- Store cleaning materials and and food in a different room, or up high behind closed cabinet doors
- Mask electrical cords with a tape or hide them behind furniture
- Remove trash cans, or replace them with pet-proof models.
- Put away shoes, clothing, kids’ toys, and anything else you wouldn’t want your pet to mess with when you are away
3. A place to rest
Pets spend more than 50% of the day sleeping, so comfort matters! Make a soft, relaxing mattress the focal point of your pet zone. Of course, if it’s the living room, you can just let them lounge on the couch. But if you’re using a crate or small spare room, a pet bed will make all the difference. Add a blanket for burrowing, and maybe one of your own old t-shirts for a sensory reminder of you.
4. Soothing sights and sounds
Pets may not be able to follow plot lines on TV shows, but the color and light can provide welcome entertainment during the day! Sounds are another good addition to your pet zone. Soothing classical music or nature sounds are said to calm anxious dogs. If you live in an apartment with sensitive neighbors, a sound machine can mask noises your dog makes during the day.
5. Keep them engaged
Pets need mental exercise as much as physical, and just because you’re not home doesn’t mean you can’t challenge their brains. No pet zone is complete without stuff to keep them busy. Keep your pet’s favorite stuffed animal, ball, or other toy around, as long as they aren’t prone to destroying stuff in your absence.
6. Surveillance camera
Spying is a crime 🙂 But it’s important to keep a watch on your pet when you are away. Baby monitor cameras are available for as cheap as Rs 1000 and install one of them near the pet zone so that you can monitor your best friend whenever you want to. The best part, these cameras come with both way voice communication, which means you can talk to your pet using the app on your phone. 
7. Creativity & imagination
So, if you’re all set to design your pet corner, you might as well get creative! The internet is full of examples, like the colorful, space-saving once given in this article above. So put your creative hat on and design that precious corner with affordable DIY materials. Do not forget to share a picture with us!
