How to Maintain a Pet Friendly Clean Home

November 12, 2019

We may really want a new addition to the family in the form of a furry friend. However, having a new puppy or new kitty around means your house may not look the same as it once did. Pets shed, scratch and chew. They don’t mean to wreak havoc on your pristine home, they are just being themselves. There are measures you can take to help reduce the mess and any other unfortunate household issues that may come with having a new furry friend around.

Reduce Shedding

You wake up every morning to find tons of hair all over your beautiful newly upholstered sofa. Not only is it an eyesore, but it gets all over your clothing the minute you sit down. You get into work covered with your pets fur. Sometimes, it gets so bad you even breathe it in. Dogs and cats shed, especially long-haired canines and felines. The way to reduce shedding is by daily brushing and biweekly to monthly bathing. This natural process your pets go through requires a little help on your end. By removing the hair before they start shedding, it will cut down on the amount your home is covered with.

Chewing

Dogs, especially puppies, have a tendency to chew on things that don’t belong to them. Whether it is a pair of your favorite heels or the side of your lounge chair, it is in their nature to chew on things. There are ways to cut down on your dog chewing on things they shouldn’t. Firstly, be sure to provide them with chew toys and bones. Secondly, avoid giving them things like an old shoe of yours to chew on once you are ready to get rid of them. This only encourages them chewing on things that smell like you or look similar to what you don’t want them to chew on. Last but not least, chewing is natural but can sometimes be a nervous habit for dogs with anxiety, especially if you’ve already taught them what is okay and not okay to chew on. Try dog calming soft chews to help them relax when a storm is approaching or when new visitors come to the house.

Scratching

Cats naturally scratch to remove the outer layer of their nails, to mark territory and to stretch. If your cat doesn’t have a cat post or an outdoor tree to scratch, they may be scratching up your leather armchair or wooden bedpost. This can leave marks and tear at the fabric of your furniture. Safely clip your cat’s nails regularly to cut down on the work they have to do to remove the outer layer. Make a safe, scratch prevention formula using 1 part essential oil, such as citronella, lavender, peppermint, and lemongrass, with 2 parts water to dilute it. Add to a spray bottle and spray on areas you do not want them to scratch. For extra protection, you can put double-sided sticky tape or plastic over the furniture. It will deter them once they make an attempt. It may not have to stay on there forever. Some cats learn quickly.

Dead Grass

Dogs have ammonia in their urine that kills grass. When they use the bathroom in your front or backyard, you may find dead patches of grass where they did their business. You can section off a designated “bathroom space” in the yard for them. However, if you don’t want any of the grass getting damaged, you can easily give them a natural and safe green grass saver vitamin that will preserve your lawn regardless if they urinate on it or not. This will help keep the exterior of your home looking just as good as the interior.

Foul Smells

Whereas cats can take care of their own fur, your dog needs to be bathed regularly. Biweekly or monthly will do the trick. Use the right shampoo to be sure they are getting added protection for their skin and their fur. This will keep them smelling fresh. Cats have their own stinky habits, especially when they use a litterbox. Be sure to clean out their litter box whenever they do their business. Busy lives don’t always allow us to do this. You can add baking soda to their litter in between cleanings. Baking soda naturally absorbs foul odors.

Your home deserves to be mess free and pristine regardless of having a dog or cat in the family. Give these tips a try to maintain a pet friendly clean home!