Recently, we have acquired a client who absolutely loves her dog. He is, as they say, the sunshine of her life. Nothing makes me happier than to hear her talk about how much she loves him. I have a cat, and I love him more than words can say. I felt that way about my dog when she was alive, too.

Pets are magical, and it brings me so much happiness to know that in some way we are helping them when we declutter their space. I believe it gives them a feeling of peace and more room to find their special spots within the confines of their home.

Since we work with the KonMari Method® of decluttering, it’s easy to apply decluttering to a pet’s things. Many of the practices that Marie Kondo puts into place for humans can be translated to our pets.

We wonder if tidying up a pet’s possessions will create joy for them.

As with human tidying, the KonMari Method® for pets starts with categories. In our home, as I’m sure in other people’s, our pet has made his mark on everything and in every room. I think this is true of both cats and dogs. According to the KonMari Method®, a way to overcome this is to focus on categories of items that a pet requires and loves. For example, pets typically have toys, accessories such as collars and leashes, products to care for them such as brushes, combs, or scissors to cut their nails, bedding, bowls and food. Begin with one category of items and go from room to room to gather them up. Focus on each item that falls within that category. This way, by the time you’ve finished, you will have worked through your entire home. That is the method Marie Kondo uses to help humans tidy up.

Focus on the things that bring your pet joy.

When organizing your cat or dog’s items, focus on which of the items brings them the most joy or serves a true purpose. At my house, for example, my cat loves his scratch pad and his Snoopy rug. I’ve made him a little bed by the window so he can watch the birds in the morning. He doesn’t like toys like many cats do. Over the years I’ve bought a lot of toys and he never seems very interested in them. Give him some birds to watch through the window and he can occupy himself for hours. For that reason, one of the things I purchase regularly for him is birdseed. I put it in my bird feeders, and he enjoys hours of entertainment.

When sorting through each category, keep only the things that make your pet feel the happiest. If you’re anything like me, I know right off the bat which things those are. This may mean saying goodbye to some items that you have purchased but your pet has not found useful or interesting. I know that some other animal will like what I have bought for my cat, and for that reason, they go into the donate pile. I have donated blankets and toys (and even food) to the local animal shelter in my area. Local animal shelters and rescues will most likely be very happy to take new and slightly used items. The same may be true with other bedding items that other donation facilities will not accept. Call your local shelter. Since our cat is a rescue, I tend to give to animal rescue facilities because I know how much they need the items.

It's hard to let go, but know that another animal will use what you donate.

It’s so easy to feel nostalgic about a pet’s toys or playthings when you start to think about discarding or donating to another animal. We feel sentimental attachment because pets grow quickly and we remember, for example, when they were puppies or kittens. It’s hard to let go. But, sometimes, things have seen better days, or they are not getting the use you intended. If something is particularly sentimental, then it can go into a sentimental box for your pet. This is something that Marie Kondo stresses. Not all things are sentimental but those that are need to have a special place. I keep my sentimental box for my cat with my other cat items.

Grouping things helps me keep track of restocking.

I have designated a place in my home to store all my cat’s things. It is in the pantry in the kitchen, except for his litter. Litter goes in my laundry room where I change it regularly. Aside from that, he has a special area so that I know what I have and when I need to restock. I make sure that I have enough of his treats. In addition, I make sure I have plenty of his prescription food and any medicine that he takes. It all stays together and makes my life easier than if I needed to look all over the house for it.

While organizing a pet’s things can seem a little over the top, I’ve been in homes where there are many pet items that have expired or medicine that can’t be found. Pets, to me, are like people, and they deserve the care we would afford ourselves. Expired items need to be thrown away safely; t’s important to make sure they have the things they need to live a happy and healthy life. Having rescued an animal, I feel fortunate to give him a loving home. For that reason, and because he is truly part of our family, I make sure that his things are organized, too.