Every single dog owner knows this struggle: tennis balls under the couch, leashes hanging in the closet, and food bags waiting to pop out all over the kitchen floor as soon as you open that one cabinet.
Keeping your dog’s supplies organized seems like a neverending task, something that simply cannot be achieved no matter how much you try. So, eventually, you just give up and wing it all.
However, it doesn’t have to be like that. If you find a system that works (and stick to it!), you can make your life much easier.
1. Assess and Declutter
Before you get yourself tangled in the countless collars, leashes, and toys, you need to know exactly what you’re dealing with.
Make yourself a big pot of coffee and take a good, hard look at all of your dog’s stuff. Yes, that means every squeaky toy, leash, half-empty bag of treats, and that brush you swore you’d use regularly but forgot about.
Start by gathering everything in one spot. Think of it like spring cleaning but for your pup. Once you have the mountain of supplies in front of you, sort everything into categories: food and treats, toys, grooming tools, walking gear, medications, and so on.
Seeing it all laid out helps you figure out what’s essential and what’s just taking up space.
Throw Away What You Don’t Need
How many of the things on that pile have you used only once (or never) and then completely forgotten about?
If there’s a toy that hasn’t been touched in months or a grooming product your dog didn’t tolerate well, it’s time to say goodbye.
If you’re unsure whether to keep something, apply the one-year rule. If that thing hasn’t been used in a year, chances are it’s not going to be.
You can donate gently used items to a local shelter or pet rescue organization, but don’t feel guilty for throwing out the stuff that is past its prime. There is no point in trying to gift somebody a chewed-up tennis ball.
2. Designate a Storage Space
Now that you’ve decluttered, it’s time to find a home for all the keepers. The goal here is to create a dedicated storage area where everything is easy to find and, crucially, easy to put back.
You’ll remember this part of the article when you’re not rummaging through random drawers to find a leash five minutes before walk time.
Start by choosing a central location for your dog’s supplies. This could be a corner of the pantry, a shelf in a closet, or even a dedicated storage unit. The key is accessibility — somewhere convenient for you but not tempting for your dog to explore.
Break It Up Into Categories
We also recommend breaking up your storage space into different zones for different types of supplies — one for food and treats, another for toys, a third one for grooming products, etc.
There’s no sense in having a storage space if you have to dig through a dozen bags of treats just to find the nail clipper.
Vertical storage solutions are your best friend if you’re short on space. Hanging organizers, stackable bins, or even a pegboard for leashes and collars are just a few options worth considering.
3. Organizing Food and Treats
Sure, tidiness and practicality are the main objectives of organizing your dog’s supplies, but when it comes to food and treats, there is something that trumps both of those.
You must keep it fresh and keep track of expiration dates.
One of the best ways to store your dog’s food is in airtight containers. Not only do they keep kibble fresh and crunchy, but they also protect it from pests and curious noses. Look for containers with secure lids and pick sizes that match the amount of food you typically buy.
Obviously, you should try to separate the kibble, wet food, and treats into separate containers. You can use transparent ones so that what’s inside is immediately obvious, or you can simply put labels on them.
Picking the Right Spot
To prevent spoilage, store food and treats in a cool, dry place. Sliding bins for cabinets or stackable containers will help you maximize storage if you have limited space.
Whatever you go for, make sure to keep it out of your dog’s reach. If they sniff out where the treats are hiding, it’s game over.
4. Managing Toys and Chews
Finding your dog’s toys constantly under the couch, between the cushions, or strewn all across the floor can be cute for a little while.
What’s not cute, however, is getting up to go to the bathroom at 3 am, stepping on a tennis ball, and doing an impromptu backflip. If this has happened to you, it’s probably time to take control of your pup’s toys.
We recommend designating a few sturdy baskets or bins for the toys. Place one in the living room, another in their play area, and maybe one more in the backyard if that’s their hangout spot.
This way, cleanup is quick and easy no matter where they’ve been playing that day.
Another great thing that you can achieve by doing this is rotating the toys and keeping playtime fresh.
Don’t always bring out all the toys at once, but only a few each time so that your pup gets a nice surprise when they play with a toy they haven’t seen in a week.
Chew Toys Should Be Separate
Chew toys deserve their own space, especially if they’re a bit slobbery or sticky from use. Store them in a separate bin or container to keep them from mingling with the softer plush toys.
The obvious benefit is that it keeps things clean but creates a clear distinction between chewables and non-chewables.
5. Grooming Supplies and Medications
It goes without saying that medications should have a dedicated place in your supply area. Hygiene and health go hand in hand, so it makes perfect sense to combine these items.
The absolute best advice we can give you about this is to use a portable grooming caddy. This caddy stores all the essentials—brushes, nail clippers, shampoos, and even that fancy detangling spray—together in one spot.
This way, when it’s time for grooming, you can just grab the caddy and get started without hunting for individual items scattered around the house.
Extra Attention for Medication
Medications are something that you hopefully won’t be using very often, but when you have a need for them, they should be easy to find.
Keep them in a cool, dry place that’s out of your dog’s reach. If you have liquid medications or creams, it’s best to put them in a small, sealed bag in the bin to prevent leaks.
Label each medication clearly and include the purpose or dosage instructions so there’s no confusion when you’re in a rush. Remember, human medication storage rules apply here, too, so don’t store them near heat or moisture.
Also, consider making your own little doggy first-aid kit or purchasing one. You should have a grab bag of essentials that you can take with you when traveling with your pup.
6. Walking Gear and Accessories
Whisper the word “walk,” and your dog will instantly lose their mind. They’ll warp to the front door, tail wagging so hard it could almost produce electricity.
In these clutch moments, there is no time for you to be shuffling all over the house, looking for the leash and collar. You need to be ready to go right away.
The simplest solution? Hooks or wall racks. Install a few near the door where you typically head out for walks. Use them to neatly hang leashes, harnesses, and collars.
This keeps them off the floor and untangled, so you’re not wrestling with a leash knot when your dog is ready to bolt.
Seasonal Gear Storage
If your dog has seasonal gear — winter coats, rain boots, or reflective vests — create a dedicated space for these items. Just put them in a box labeled “Seasonal Gear” and store them in a closet.
When the weather changes, swap out the gear so only the items you need are accessible.
7. Travel Supplies
Traveling with your dog can be an adventure, but only if you’re prepared. Nothing derails a trip faster than realizing you forgot the portable water bowl or their favorite blanket.
Since you probably only do it a couple of times per year, you don’t want a small detail to ruin the experience completely.
The best way to be prepared for this is to always pack a dedicated doggy travel bag. This is a bag that you only use for this purpose, you store it in the doggy cupboard, and it’s always ready to go.
Fill it with essentials like food, water, and medications, practical items, like portable bowls, poop bags, and leashes, but also with things that have sentimental value to your dog, such as a favorite blanket or toy.
This is more important than you think, especially if you have a dog that doesn’t enjoy being on the road. Having something like this can make them calmer.
Create a Checklist
A travel checklist can save you from that dreaded “What did I forget?” moment. Write down the essentials in your notes app or on a piece of paper if you’re totally old-school.
A checklist is one of those life hacks that just never fails, and it can be a lifesaver in a lot of cases.
Check out our go-to checklist for traveling with your pup: Dog Travel Essentials Checklist: Must-Haves for Every Trip
8. Cleaning Supplies
Let’s be honest: dogs are adorable, but they’re also dirty. Between muddy paw prints, fur-covered furniture, and the occasional “oopsie” accident, cleaning up after your furry friend can feel like a full-time job.
Having your cleaning supplies well-organized can alleviate some of that stress and make it a little easier.
Store all your cleaning products in a dedicated spot, like a cabinet or a small storage bin. Include essentials like stain removers, enzymatic cleaners, and odor neutralizers. Make sure all cleaning products you use in your home are dog-friendly, too!
Handling Quick Cleanups
For quick cleanups, designate a small bin or basket for your poop bags, lint rollers, and disposable gloves. Keep it in a convenient location, like near the front door or by the couch, where fur tends to accumulate.
A small stash by the door for muddy paws, one near the couch for fur control, and another in the bathroom for those messy baths ensures you’re always prepared for whatever your pup throws your way.
9. Tips for Small Spaces
A lot of people don’t live in big houses with sprawling white-picket-fenced backyards, and if you’re one of those people, then you know what it’s like to constantly negotiate space for everything you own.
However, living in a small space doesn’t mean your dog’s supplier must take over your home. With some creativity, you can keep everything neat, organized, and out of the way.
When you’re out of floor space, think vertical. Install shelves, hooks, or pegboards to make use of your walls. Wall-mounted hooks are perfect for leashes and collars, while a pegboard can hold toys, grooming tools, or even small bins for treats.
Also, look up multifunctional furniture options. Ottomans with hidden compartments or benches with built-in storage can discreetly hold your dog’s supplies while blending seamlessly into your décor.
Various models of collapsible and stackable bins and containers are also an absolute must if you live in a small apartment.
Think Outside the Box
Look for underutilized spaces in your home. The area under your bed, beneath a coffee table, or even behind a door can become a storage goldmine.
The key to small-space organization is making every inch count.
Final Thoughts on How to Organize and Store Dog Supplies
Organizing your dog’s supplies doesn’t have to be a monumental task. With a little effort upfront and a few clever storage solutions, you can create a system that works for you and your pup.
Hopefully, the tips we shared in this article will make your life a little easier and help you spend less time looking for a leash and more time bonding with your dog.
