Living With Pets

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Living with Pets

While our pets may be fantastic company, they can also be smelly, dirty and carry germs! Balls of pet hair, stains on the carpet, shavings, or feathers getting into the most unusual places are all problems that many pet owners struggle with regularly. Don't let this put you off owning a pet though; there are lots of easy ways to ensure that your pet and your home stay fresh and clean.

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. This is a preventive action that will help your household in the long run.

Firstly, if you do not have a pre-made solution, or you want something as natural as possible, a home remedy can work well. Mix one cup of white vinegar, one cup of water, and two teaspoons of baking soda and pop it into a clean spray bottle.

Whether it is washing your dog's or cat's bedding, or cleaning out a bird, small animal, or reptile enclosure, it is crucial that you keep up a regular cleaning schedule. Dirty cages can lead to a smelly home, discomfort for your pet, and a build-up of germs and bacteria that could lead to more complications.

The trick to getting rid of smells might be in your pantry. Use this handy hint if there’s a funky pet smell lurking in your couch or upholstered chair: Sprinkle a generous amount of regular baking soda onto the fabric and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. The baking soda will help to release odors and break up some light stains in the fabric. After about 20 minutes, remove the baking soda—and the funky smell—with a handheld vacuum or a hose attachment for your large vacuum.

Lint rollers are fantastic when you have a pet that sheds. (They’re not so great for fish.) Like they do on your clothes, lint rollers can remove fur from, well, almost anything. Sofas, chairs, beds, tables, floors, you name it! It’s easy, inexpensive and you can lint roll any time without the fuss of taking out a big appliance.

Lastly, it would be wise to handle that persisting pet smell that you may (or may not) have. Now that spring is here, open your windows and let some fresh air in. Even on cold days, a 10 minute blast of fresh air works wonders at deodorizing the house and ventilating the stale air that may be trapped.

Additionally, It is always good to have a list in hand of chemicals, cleaners, and other stuff that’s unsafe for pets. The most common ones are:

Flea control chemicals
Lawn fertilizer
Garden herbicides and insecticides
Antifreeze
Household cleaners
Formaldehyde
Apple seeds
Apricot pits
Avocados
Cherry pits
Chocolate. Toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets. Plus any candy containing the toxic sweetener Xylitol.
Coffee
Garlic

So those are our favorite tips – do you guys have any others to share?