We all love our pets, but we know that sometimes they can be a little stinky, or make more mess than we would like. Keeping on top of keeping the home clean whilst also ensuring you are not using products that are harmful to your pets can be challenging, however there are lots of easy ways to ensure that your pet and your home stay fresh and clean.
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Dealing With Pet Hair
Shedding occurs when a cat or dog loses dead or damaged fur to make room for new, healthy fur to grow. Some pets shed constantly all year, some shed seasonally in summer, and some appear not to shed much at all, but all cats dogs undergo a normal shedding cycle that can't be prevented and is totally natural. To deal with pet hair in the home, the first most important thing is to have a good hoover. There are many models on the market that are designed specifically for dealing with pet hair which are a good choice for pets that shed heavily. A key thing to look for in a hoover is a good filter that is easy to empty, as this will prolong the life of your hoover and ensure it stays effective when dealing with a lot of fluff. Many of our pets don't like the noise of a hoover, so it might be worth looking into a hoover with low noise output if this is a particular concern for your cat or dog. While it is true that no amount of grooming will completely prevent shedding, it can make a huge difference, and it also helps maintain a healthy coat and skin. We recommend looking into your specific breed of cat or dog and seeing what sort of grooming tools are recommended for them. Brushing your pet is a great way to bond with them, as well as providing an excellent opportunity for regular checks for lumps, bumps and fleas.
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Removing Stains and Smells
No matter how well toilet trained a dog or cat is, accidents can happen. Making sure that you clean up any wee or vomit stains quickly and thoroughly is essential from a hygiene perspective, to eliminate any odours, and to minimize the risk of the pet going back again to the same spot. Pet urine is strong, and you may think you have managed to clean it all away, but often, the uric acid lingers. To clean stains, always blot up as much excess urine as possible before applying your cleaning solution. We recommend making your own cleaning solutions as this is kinder for your pets as well as the environment. To make a simple cleaning solution that will help neutralise odours, mix one cup of white vinegar, one cup of water and two teaspoons of baking soda and pop it into a clean spray bottle. Make sure your chosen cleaning products are safe to use around your pet. Always read the labels and do your research. Avoid strong, caustic products like bleach. Essential oil diffusers are popular for using to freshen up the home, but certain essential oils can be hazardous to use around animals and can even prove fatal. If your dog or cat has excessive accidents, it may be worth speaking to your vet to make sure there is no underlying health issues.
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Bedding & Toys
Keeping a regular cleaning schedule for your pets bedding, blankets and toys is crucial to maintaining a clean home and the comfort of your pet. Regular cleaning prevents the build-up of germs and bacteria that can result in disease or infection for your pet. You should inspect and evaluate your dog’s toys regularly and, in some cases, it’s better to throw them away and replace them than try to clean or repair them. You’ll know it’s time to get rid of a toy if it’s too heavily chewed be sufficiently cleaned, if it’s torn or tattered to the point that stuffing is falling out, or if it has parts and pieces just starting to fall or break off that can easily become a choking hazard or intestinal blockage if swallowed. If your cat uses a litter box, it should also be cleaned out regularly, and the quality of the litter you use can make a big difference. A hooded litter box will also help to contain stray litter and odours, as well as offering your pet more privacy. Vinegar can be great for dissolving any hard-to-remove urine build up, just be sure to thoroughly rinse it away with warm water.
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