Reviewed by Dr. Karla S. Nichols, DVM.
It’s that time of year again – spring cleaning time! While pets make for a happy home, they often come with an inevitable mess, which can be a challenge when it comes to keeping a house clean. Spring is a great time to reassess your cleaning habits and clear out any pet hair and bacteria that’s been lingering all winter long. Not only does a good spring cleaning session help keep your home sparkling clean, but more importantly, it also benefits the health of you and your fur babies!
Let’s dig in!
1. Stop dogs from tracking in dirt
If you don’t wipe your dogs’ paws before they come back inside after an outdoor romp, they may be tracking in dirt. Use dog wipes to clean their paws, which will keep your floors and furniture clean too! These Earth Rated dog wipes are 100% plant-based, durable, and have a lavender smell. If you ever run out or don’t have them handy, baby wipes are another great option to use. You can also trim, or have the hair trimmed from the underside of the paws, as that hair can be a magnet for dirt, grass seeds, and other yucky stuff.
2. Use non-toxic cleaning products
If you haven’t already, consider switching to non-toxic household cleaning products. Not only are these safer for you and your family, but they’re much safer for pets. Many products include ingredients that are dangerous to ingest, inhale, or even absorb through the skin. Even the toilet bowl cleaner should be non-toxic for those dogs who sneakily drink out of the bowl! Simple Green products are non-toxic and biodegradable, making the cleaning solutions safe for both pets and the environment
If you think your pet may have gotten into cleaning products they shouldn’t have and are displaying concerning symptoms, it’s critical to bring them to the vet as soon as possible.
3. Keep pet hair at a minimum
Brushing your pet with a grooming rake can help remove dead hair before you find it all over your home! You can also use a flea comb as this really gets under your dog’s coat and also checks for fleas at the same time.
Bathing your dog (and cat!) is also extremely important. Some people think you shouldn’t do this more than once a month, but you can actually bathe your pets as much as once a week as it’s really important for various reasons. Bathing your pet regularly prevents their coats from becoming matted, keeps them free of parasites, and reduces the amount of fur in your house. Plus, it can greatly help family members with pet allergies (pets included!) In fact, many people don’t realize how common allergies are in pets.
Symptoms of allergies in pets can include:
- Itchiness
- Hives
- Swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, or earflaps
- Red, inflamed skin
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Sneezing
- Itchy ears
To help with excess fur, using ShedX Shed Control Shampoo is great, and if your pet is struggling with allergies, Vet’s Best Allergy Relief Shampoo is great.
Also, having your pet groomed while they are shedding can remove a lot of extra hair. If that doesn’t do the trick, lint rollers are not only handy for clothes, but also work great for upholstered furniture. We love these fur zappers for the dryer to help with the fur that gets on your clothes! Other options for furniture are hand vacuums and throws that can be easily washed. For hardwood floors, microfiber mops are great to use quickly to pick up hair, dirt, and crumbs – and are also more economical than disposable cloths, as you can wash and reuse them.
4. Regularly clean your pets’ belongings
Pet beds, collars and toys pick up strong dog odors and can be a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast, and mold. They tend to be – and often remain – wet, so they need to be cleaned regularly. For pet beds, it is important to use ones with removable covers so that you can wash them in the washing machine. You can also put most fabric toys in the washing machine. For rubber toys, put them on the top shelf of the dishwasher – along with pet bowls. Toys that are non-toxic are also great options to keep your pets healthy! On a nice spring day, it never hurts to open the windows and let the fresh air act as a natural deodorizer!
5. Use indoor/outdoor rugs
Indoor/outdoor rugs are great to put in front of the door to catch any dirt or water your pets may bring inside with them. It’s also a good idea to put them in areas your pet likes to lay down, like under the kitchen table or in front of the sink, as they can be easily cleaned. And today, indoor/outdoor rugs come in stylish colors and patterns so you don’t have to compromise on style.
No matter the season, if you notice your pets seem unwell or aren’t acting like themselves, it’s best to take them to your local vet for a check up. Every pet deserves the best care possible, which is why Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans pay back 90% of covered vet bills when your pet gets hurt or sick.
