PetSugar

Do Tell: Have You Ever Repurposed Furniture Just For Pets?

PetSugar — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:00:50 -0800

One rather crafty gal in Austria made this home for her dwarf hamster friend from an Ikea bookcase and I'm in awe of her handiwork - have you tackled any crafty repurposing for your pets?
PS, if you have tackled any DIY projects that you'd like to share, add them to the Bake It Or Make It group created for that very purpose!
Source: Ikea Hacker

Take It "To-Go" With Ikea!

PetSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:45:48 -0700

Let's set the scene: You're planning a weekend getaway, but you want to travel light. Not so light as to leave your precious Fido home, but light enough that you're not toting his fragile bowls, fluffy bed . . . or the kitchen sink. While there are plenty of pricey portable bowls for this purpose, check out one complete package from Ikea.

The Bästis 4-piece travel kit for dogs ($20) comes with two bowls - while I wouldn't recommend doing this for water, you can cinch and seal the food bowl for later or fold up both for your pocket. There's also a storage bag - I smell extra food or a few fave toys - and a bed base. You can combine that with a towel or folded blanket, if you don't want to lug the real thing, or do double-duty using the base as a placemat instead (to protect the hotel room's carpet from his sloshy sipping). No matter which way you spin it and how far your journey is, this twenty bucks goes a long way.

Ikea Plus Custom Design Equals This Cat Tower

PetSugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:00:43 -0700

If you've decked out your home with hip and minimal furnishings take note: You don't have to pay a million bucks for modern cat furniture too. Los Angeles-based designer Peter Sehorsch recently took the kitty design world by storm when he turned a simple IKEA Stolmen system into a spectacular cat tower, and now he's selling the custom units for all the copycats who love his work. The Hollywood Franklin Cat Tower - named after his cat, Frank, naturally - combines an IKEA post and mounting fixtures with homemade platforms. You have to purchase the IKEA parts (the pole and clamp cost about $113) yourself then order a platform kit from Sehorsch, which comes with two or three risers and bolts and nuts.

Two Bucks Reduces Clutter When Reusing Shopping Bags

PetSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:15:04 -0700

Even though plastic bags were outlawed at San Francisco supermarkets and retail pharmacies back in November 2007, there are still stores that offer these bags –– or compostable alternatives – with takeout or other purchases. Since, I want to make the most of those bags I do take while out and about, I'm storing them in this pretty pink Rationell Variera dispenser ($2) from IKEA.

That way, when I'm not toting a leash with a Bags On Board or BonTon attached, I can stash one of these sacks in the drawer of his carseat or carrier pocket and eliminate clutter under my sink to continue Spring cleaning even when the season's over.

Bästis Krona Pet Bed: Spoiled Sweet or Spoiled Rotten?

PetSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:00:24 -0700

When I was recently scoping out the merchandise at Ikea, I spotted this sleek pet bed. If you simply replicated it about 10 times as big, it'd look like a chaise fit for your apartment! The high design is great for pets who like checking out their surroundings while resting a lil paw or head on that "armrest." With solid birch legs, the red and black pattered cover is removable and machine washable in case Fido takes a PB-filled Kong up there! Costing $70, the price is a bit steep for Ikea but not that much compared to other people-worthy designs we've seen in our spoiled polls. What do you think - is it worth it?

Bare Bones: Ikea For Pets

PetSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:00:32 -0700

Although I normally browse my local Ikea for home furnishings and accent pieces, recently I've been dropping some goodies in my yellow bag for North as well. Surprisingly, this shop has a pretty good selection of quirky pet products to pamper your pals – and protect your wallet, too! Since it's easy to find stuff I absolutely love for my apartment at a great price, I guess saving a few bucks on beds and accessories for North is a no brainer! I even bought this Cat Tent ($7) for my ~~kitty~~ doggie on a recent trip. He seems to enjoy it even though he has trouble getting out without dragging the whole thing behind him across the floor. Hey, could I put a price tag on that kind of entertainment?!

Check out more of my Ikea pet faves when you read more.

Re-Purposed Ikea Closet Makes a Great Cat Tree

PetSugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:30:28 -0800

I admit it, I love Ikea! Their inexpensive items are stylish, functional, and apparently can be re-purposed for many different uses. Take, for example, this cat tree found on Ikea Hacker. Its parts come from the Stolmen line of closet organizers and make a sturdy and attractive perch for kitty. These pieces – which can be bought separately – could easily be stained or painted to match any interior and, thankfully, won't take up too much space. Just add carpet and you are ready to go! Have you re-purposed furniture to treat your pet to a new dwelling? If so, tell us below!

To the Rescue: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle . . . Bags

PetSugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 12:30:17 -0800

Although I do own a BonTon for North, I only use it for special adventures (think long, daytime walks when we're destination-bound for Baker Beach or Crissy Field). On his quick, prework potty breaks and late-night, before-bed jaunts around my block, I simply reuse plastic bags from the grocery store. When I'm planning a Whole Foods run, I grab the reusable tote that's stored in my car, but for quick, run-ins, I ask for plastic knowing North can reuse it.

In order not to continually find chaos when I open the storage cabinet under the sink, I picked up this Rationell Variera plastic-bag dispenser from IKEA for just $1.99. That way if I need to grab a bag for North's business or to tote snacks to the office, I now have an easy go-to spot.

Do Tell: Do You Associate Some Pets With Certain Age Groups?

PetSugar — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:00:22 -0800

Although I think guinea pigs and goldfish are commonly found in kids' classrooms or bedrooms, I owned a dwarf hamster in my 20s, have a pal in his 30s with a hermit crab, and remember that awesome Ikea-hack-turned-rodent-home? All of those counteract my own opinions. Are there certain animals you associate with younger people and/or have you ever owned a pet that you don't think fits your age range?

Your Very Own Pet Panda: In the LINK of an Eye!

PetSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:30:05 -0700

Talented groomers can make dogs look like pandas, camels, and more - Telegraph UK
"Petting is Passé" . . . and other bits of wisdom from a pet masseuse?! - Paw Nation
Ikea baby changing table becomes a cute cat perch - moderncat
Hysterical behind-the-scenes look at Pet Fashion Week - People Pets
Chompasaurus on the underwater treadmill - The Frisky
Traffic puts a damper on frogs' sex lives - Discovery News
Nosy Frenchies ask: What's that slinking around? - The Daily Wag

Source: Ren Netherland/ Barcroft Media