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Pet Friendly Bookshelf Setup 📚🐾
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Martha Daynes profile picture
Martha Daynes
I got tired of my cat knocking everything off my shelves and my dog chewing on decor. These are all the things that survived life with two chaotic pets.
Sections
6
 
Sturdy Shelves That Stay Put
 
Unbreakable Decor 🏠
 
Books Worth Protecting
 
Pet Comfort Near the Shelf 🛋️
 
Anchoring & Safety Stuff
 
Organization That Pets Can't Ruin

Sturdy Shelves That Stay Put

My cat used to launch herself off my old bookcase and the whole thing wobbled. These ones are solid and don't tip, even with a 15-pound tabby climbing them.

 
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this one is heavy enough that my cat can't budge it. worth every penny.
72" Carson 5 Shelf Bookcase - Threshold
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I use these to break up the shelves so my dog can't reach the top stuff 🐕
31'' Stackable Shelf Black - Brightroom
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fits perfectly in the weird corner my pets never go to. smart placement lol
Threshold Carson Bookcase | Adjustable Storage & Shelves
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got this for my bedroom. short enough that nothing falls far if it gets bumped.
3 Shelf Dorm Bookcase - Room Essentials
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the cube shape means less surface area for tails to swipe things off
cube storage shelves brightroom
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low profile so my anxious dog doesn't get spooked by tall furniture. works great.
Horizontal Bookcase | Adjustable Shelves, Wood & Metal Storage
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Unbreakable Decor 🏠

I broke up with glass decor a long time ago. Everything on my shelves now is either wood, fabric, or something my pets can knock over without me crying.

 
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looks nice and my cat has batted it off twice. not a scratch on it.
Threshold Decorative Boxes: Metal, Ceramic & Marble
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solid little piece. survived being a dog toy for an afternoon 😂
Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia
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resin is the move. feels like stone but won't shatter on hardwood floors.
House Figurines: Resin, Metal
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I toss small books in here. the soft material means no sharp edges for curious noses
Fabric Storage Baskets & Cube Bins | Organizer Options
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sturdy and open so nothing weird can hide inside. my cat tested it.
18" x 11" Metal Wire Basket with Gold Finish
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the one ceramic piece I trust. it's thick and heavy enough to stay put.
Threshold Flower Pots: Ceramic Planters for Indoor/Outdoor Use
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Books Worth Protecting

These are books I actually care about keeping nice, so I had to get creative about where and how I store them around my pets.

 
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this book changed how I think about relationships. keep it on the top shelf away from teeth 📖
All About Love : New Visions (Paperback) (Bell Hooks)
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dog-eared from rereading, not from my actual dog. for once.
Atomic Habits - by James Clear (Hardcover)
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comfort read I grab every few months. it lives behind the pet gate now lol
The House in the Cerulean Sea - by Tj Klune (Paperback)
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made me sob on the couch. my cat sat on my chest the whole time.
Crying In H Mart - by Michelle Zauner (Paperback)
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couldn't put it down. read it in two days while the dog napped on my feet
Project Hail Mary: A Novel - by Andy Weir (Paperback)
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the octopus in this book has more sense than my two pets combined 🐙
Remarkably Bright Creatures - by Shelby Van Pelt (Paperback)
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Pet Comfort Near the Shelf 🛋️

If my pets are comfy nearby, they leave the shelves alone. Giving them their own cozy spot was the real solution honestly.

 
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my cat sleeps in this instead of on my books now. took about a week to convince her.
High Walled Cuddler Beds for Cats & Dogs - S - Boots & Barkley
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big enough for my lab mix. he parks himself here and ignores the shelves completely
Basic Cuddler Dog and Cat Bolster Bed - Boots & Barkley™ S
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redirected all that scratching energy away from my shelf corners. finally.
boots and barkley scratcher
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she zooms through this thing instead of across the bookcase 😹
Boots & Barkley Cat Tunnel: Detachable & Scratcher
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keeps him busy chewing something that isn't my paperbacks
Boots & Barkley Rope Dog Toys
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perfect for summer. he just melts onto it and forgets furniture exists.
Fur Dog Mat Bed - Boots & Barkley™ - Tan M
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Anchoring & Safety Stuff

Not the most exciting category but genuinely important. One wobbly shelf near a curious pet is a disaster waiting to happen.

 
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took five minutes to install. total peace of mind now when I leave the house.
Furniture Safety Wall Straps & Decorative Mirrors
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I use these to stick lighter decor down so it can't get swatted off 🐱
Command 12ct Damage-Free Large Picture Hanging Strips 15lb Capacity
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this tape is no joke. held my wooden bookend down through multiple cat attacks.
How to Remove Gorilla Tape Residue
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put these under everything. no more scratching the shelf surface when things slide.
Shepherd Hardware Self-Adhesive Pad 5 mil X 1-1/2 in. W Felt Beige 8 pk
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game changer is banned so I'll just say. this stuff WORKS. nothing slides anymore.
Shelf Liners | Non-Adhesive Cabinet & Drawer Liners
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my dog bonked his head on a shelf corner once. never again with these on there.
Baby Proof Foam Mats & Corner Cushions | Baby Safety
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Organization That Pets Can't Ruin

The real trick is keeping everything contained. If there's nothing loose to knock over or chew, everybody wins. Including me.

 
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all my small books go in here. the cat sits on top of it like a throne 👑
Threshold Fabric Bins: Decorative Storage Solutions
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keeps books upright so they don't domino when someone bumps the shelf
Wire Shelf Dividers | Metal & Wire Shelving Organizers | Buy Now
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clear so I can see what's inside without opening it. very handy.
Brightroom Stackable Storage Bins: Durable & Versatile Options
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the lid is everything. curious paws can't get into this one.
Threshold Baskets | Blanket Storage
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simple and heavy. my cat tried to push past them and lost the battle.
Bookends for Shelves | Marble, Wood, Brass & Resin Options
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I keep bookmarks and reading glasses in here. no more losing them to the dog 🐶
Brightroom Drawer Organizers & Storage Solutions
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