Pet Feeding Station Ideas

Hey! You're not the only one chowing down in the kitchen. The dog and cat eat there, too, which usually means bowls underfoot, kibble scattered across the floor and a water dish that gets kicked across the room at least once a week.

That doesn't mean the whole room has to go to the dogs. You and the pets can peacefully coexist in the heart of the home, if each of you has your own space. Here are pet feeding station ideas that keep the bowls, the food and the mess in one tidy spot.

Pick the Right Spot

The perfect pet feeding station is:

• Out of the traffic flow, where bowls won't get kicked over by busy feet. A corner or the end of a counter run works well.
• Away from the stove and the spot where you prep food, so nobody trips over a dog while carrying a pot of boiling water.
• On a floor that's easy to clean, like tile, vinyl or sealed wood.
• Near the pet food storage, so feeding takes seconds.

Not enough room in the kitchen? A mudroom, laundry room or quiet corner of the family room works, too.

Keep Food Handy, but Out of Sight

Store pet food close to the feeding station, but out of sight and out of paws' reach. I use a lower corner cabinet just above the cat's food and water dish. In one quick motion, I can scoop the bowls up out of sight, or fill them and put them out at chow time.

More ways to store pet food:

• An airtight container: Keep kibble in its original bag inside an airtight bin. The bag has the lot number you'll need if there's a recall, and the container keeps it fresh and keeps out ants and mice.
• A pull-out drawer or rolling bin under the counter for big bags.
• A cabinet with a childproof latch, if your dog has figured out how to open cabinets. (Some do. Labs especially.)
• A small basket or bin for treats, scoops, leashes and poop bags.

Refrigerate opened cans of wet food, covered, and use them within a few days.

Contain the Mess

• Use a mat. A raised-edge silicone mat catches spilled water and flying kibble, and you can wipe it clean or put it in the dishwasher.
• Try a raised feeder. An elevated stand keeps bowls from sliding around and can be more comfortable for big dogs. Ask your vet whether it's right for your dog.
  
• Choose heavy bowls. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are easy to clean and harder to tip over. Plastic scratches and holds bacteria.
  
• Built-in station: Remodeling? Some families build bowls into a toe-kick drawer or the end of an island. It's tidy and fun.
  

Keep the Dog Out of the Cat Food

To a dog, cat food is a gourmet buffet. Feed the cat up high, on a counter, a cat tree or a sturdy shelf, or in a room behind a pet gate or a door with a cat flap. Feeding pets at the same time in separate spots also cuts down on food stealing and squabbles.

Keep It Clean

• Wash food bowls after every meal, in hot, soapy water or the dishwasher. Leftover food grows bacteria fast.
• Refresh the water daily, and wash the water bowl every day or two. Feel slime on the inside? That's biofilm. Scrub it out.
  
• Wipe the mat and floor every few days.
  
• Wash your hands after handling pet food, and wash pet bowls separately from your dishes, or on a hot dishwasher cycle.
  

Ants in the Pet Food?

Set the bowl in a shallow dish of water to make a moat ants can't cross. Clean up crumbs around the station, and keep the food in an airtight container.

Give the Kids the Job

Feeding the pets is a perfect chore for kids. Little ones can scoop dry food and refill the water bowl with help. Bigger kids can handle feeding, washing bowls and keeping the station tidy. A feeding chart on the fridge keeps the pets from getting fed twice (or not at all). Here are more chores for kids by age.

Keep People Food Away From Pets

Kitchens are full of foods that are dangerous for pets, like chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, and anything sweetened with xylitol. Keep them out of reach, and keep the trash can closed. If you think your pet ate something toxic, call your vet or an animal poison control hotline right away. Here are more pet safety tips.

Pet Feeding Station Ideas: Quick Answers

Where should you put dog bowls in the kitchen?

Out of the traffic flow and away from the stove, on an easy-to-clean floor, close to where you store the food.

How should you store dry pet food?

Keep it in its original bag inside an airtight container, in a cool, dry place. The bag has the lot number in case of a recall.

How often should you wash pet bowls?

Wash food bowls after every meal, and refresh water daily, washing the water bowl every day or two.

How do you keep the dog out of the cat food?

Feed the cat up high or in a room behind a gate or cat flap, and feed pets at the same time in separate spots.

Keep Going

Make life with pets a little easier with these related guides:

• Family Pets: Choosing the best pet for kids, and pet care.
• 9 Pet Safety Tips: Keep your pets safe at home.
• Tips for Choosing a Pet: Find the right fit for your family.
• Kitchen Recycling Center: Easy ways to organize recycling.
• Kitchen Organization Ideas: That make cooking easier.
• Cleaning for Allergies: Including pet dander.
• Chores for Kids by Age: Pet care included.
• Kitchen Cleaning & Organizing: The complete guide.