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The holiday season is practically here! This means parties and company visiting. Is your home and pet prepared for the upcoming season of entertaining? With so much decorating, shopping and coordinating plans, the holiday tasks seem endless! Although we adore our beloved pets, they often make our home a little more messy and smelly than we care to admit. Before hosting a gathering, be sure to follow these cleaning tips from “The Pet Lady” Dana Humphrey that will help keep all households with four-legged friends spic and span for this festive time of year.
#1 – Keep House “Green” & Clean
Many common household chemicals like cleaning solutions and fragrance sprays can be potentially toxic to pets. Our animal companions are more vulnerable than people to toxins around the home due to the fact they’re closer to carpets, floors, and restricted areas which may harbor chemical and pesticide residues. Not to mention, their curious nature and lack of awareness can lead them to encounter substances harmful to their health.
Cleaning products with ingredients such as bleach, ammonia, chlorine, glycol ethers or formaldehyde can put pets at risk for cancer, anemia, liver and kidney damage.
Choose safe and non-toxic products, like Skout’s Honor, which is an environmentally conscious pet cleaning product company. As you begin to spray, scrub and clean the nooks and crannies in your home this year, be mindful of both your family and pet’s health.
Image source: Skout’s Honor / Facebook
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#2 – A Fresh & Sanitary Space With Piddle Place
With the temperatures dropping, many owners face the challenge of getting their dog outside to do their business in the rain, sleet or snow, which often leads to “accidents” or urination in the home.
The common puppy or “wee-wee pad” is not the most attractive or sanitary option to have on display when guests arrive to celebrate the holidays. Pet owners often have to replace the pads a few times a day, which is the last thing you’ll want to keep up with during the holiday craziness.
Worse, when dogs step off the pads, their paws are full of urine, leaving a disgusting trail of pet waste in the home or on the owner; an unsightly scene in front of your dinner guest!
An indoor dog potty grass pad like Piddle Place will benefit you, Fido and your house guests greatly during the colder months. It eliminates odor, mess, and contact with pet waste, while complimenting the look of your home while still being compact, sanitary, and eco-friendly.
Image source: Piddle Place
#3 – Wash & Organize Your Pet’s Toys & Products
Your pets have likely collected a few possessions over the years; chew toys, stuffed animals, balls, blanks, beds, etc. Many owners don’t clean these items as often as they should. It’s important to clean pet products regularly with natural, safe detergents and cleaners, especially if you’re expecting company.
Before tossing toys, blankets or beds into the washer, it’s crucial to scrape off the visible dirt and debris. Large chunks of dirt can be ground into the item and will collide into other items in the washer making your job much tougher than it needs to be.
When cleaning rubber or plastic toys, hold each item under running water first to rinse away any mud, dirt or grass. After this step, let them soak in bucket or tub with a pet-safe detergent for about an hour to make sure all bacteria is killed. You may need to use a hand towel to rub some stains out or to help get into the cracks or crevices where additional bacteria can build up.
After everything is fresh and clean, find a festive holiday container or box to store away toys. Guests may not be used to having to walk around 10 different bones, balls and squeaky toys. Keeping items off the ground when Fido or Fluffy are not playing with them is a smart move in staying organized and keeping visitors safe from tripping over scattered toys!
Image source: @ElisaSelf via Flickr
#4 – Vacuum Regularly to Manage Fur
Fur, fur and more fur! Do you find yourself constantly pulling dog or cat hair off of your clothes, couch, and other surfaces within your home? Although many loving pet owners have learned to live with fur and may not mind it, not all house guests will feel the same; especially for those suffering with allergies.
Depending on whether you have hardwood floors or carpet, pet parents should try to sweep or vacuum once every other day, which will help limit the amount of hair laying around.
Always keep your floors clutter-free so there are less places for pet hair to gather and hide. Brushing your furry friend regularly will cut down on the fur flying around as well.
Washing throw rugs and linens that your pet has had contact with will also prevent build-up of hair. Keep a lint roller nearby to run over clothing when necessary.
Editor’s note: I LOVE My Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Plus Allergy – it really sucks up the dirt and hair my four shelties track in from our farm!
#5 – Cleaner Pets Mean Cleaner House!
In addition to regularly brushing, regular bathing is essential in maintaining a clean house and great smelling (and looking) pet too! Plus, grooming is beneficial to your pet’s overall wellness, health and happiness.
Before your holiday guests arrive, it’s a good idea to give your Fido or Fluffy a nice bath to reduce weird odors your pets sometime give off.
Providing our furry friends with high-quality grooming products is a must. Select a good shampoo. Choose one without harsh chemicals, which can irritate your pet’s skin, like Jorge Bendersky by M Boutique, which consists of natural and safe ingredients.
Before diving into bath time, be sure all supplies (shampoo, towels) are ready and handy. A sink or tub will be the best option during the winter months.
Be sure to speak to them in a soothing tone, and keep the overall experience calm. After the rinsing and dry process is finished, praise and reward your pet with a yummy treat!
Planning ahead and taking some precautions when caring for your pet can go a long way for the appearance of your home. Follow these tips while you begin to prepare your home for the holidays and you, Fido and your guests will not be disappointed!