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Posts Tagged ‘ cleaning with pets ’

How to clean up after your lovable four-legged friend

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Jessie, the world’s greatest dog:  Did you know that there are over 40 million households in the US that share their homes with over 68 million dogs?  Guess what type of pet is very popular????

Bo, the disinterested, yet confident, cat:  (Yawns and returns to sleep)

Jessie:  Well, with all of those dogs running around the house, you can bet there are some substantial messes to clean up, and you don’t see me running around with a mop and a bucket!  So, what is a human to do?  If you want to keep the pet messes in your home at bay, then here are a few tips from one in the know, ME!

**Choose flooring surfaces that clean up easily and can withstand those pesky canine nails. Synthetic carpets offer the best stain shield protection.

**Do not delay cleaning up messes.  The longer a mess sits there, the more challenging it is to clean it up.  (I know this because I have been trying to clean up the mess of Bo, but he has been a permanent fixture in this house that I fear his residue may never leave.)

**Avoid ammonia-based cleaners on dog messes.  They smell like urine…oh, yeah, and surprisingly like Bo!

**An enzyme-based dog odor neutralizier can destory that urine smell.

**The main areas where dogs sleep and play can collect those annoying smells.  Be sure to clean those areas up well and often.

**Unlike me, not every dog is flea-free.  Boric acid (100%) is a great odorless powder that is won’t stain and is proven to kill fleas.

**Restrict your dog to certain areas of your home to create an allergy-free environment for yourself and your family.  (I prefer to restrict the cat in our home!)

**Use vacuums that have high efficiency filters that will help to clean the air in your home. (Or, alternatively, get rid of the cat!)

**Bathe and groom your dog on a regular basis, preferably outside.  (Although I do prefer the ambiance of an elegant spa!)

**Keep your home well-ventilated.

I was surprised to learn in my research that you can hand-vacuum a dog that sheds a lot.  I wonder what would happen if I hand-vacuumed Bo?  Would my human recognize the sound of a cat being sucked up by a vacuum?  Hmmm…..

Stay clean!  Have fun!  Hide the cat!

(Information for this post was found at http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/dog-odors.shtml)

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Posted in Pet Wellness, cats, dogs, pet care | 3 Comments »

When Spring Cleaning Has Gone to the Dogs!

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Jessie, the neat and clean dog:  I am so excited that spring is here!  I love the fresh, warm air; the calming breezes; and the smiling sun.  It does my heart good to celebrate in this glorious season. However, along with spring comes that dreaded spring cleaning ritual.  Sure, it makes us all feel good to get it done, but what a pain it can be.  Plus, with pets on hand and underfoot, we can add to your work load.  I tend to be rather neat and clean, but I have seen the work that my canine colleagues have done to their humans’ homes, so I am here to offer some tips to reduce that spring cleaning work load.

First, get rid of any and all house cats.  They are the worst offenders.

Bo, house cat extraordinaire:  I beg your pardon?  It seems to me that the DOGS bring in the most dirt and grime.  Cats are simply self-cleaning machines.

Jessie:  I was just kidding.  I only wanted to see if you were paying attention! So, back to business.  If you want to avoid muddy pawprints all over your clean floor this spring, teach your dog to stand at the door so you can wipe his paws before he comes in.  Be sure to use a soft, damp cloth…and remember to clean between the toes, too!  He could soon come to see this as some sort of paw massage or paw-dicure!

If you don’t want your muddy dog to roll all over your floor or your furniture while he is covered in mud, put slip covers on any furniture your dog is normally allowed to sit on.  Floor runners and mats can protect your carpets.

Many breeds of dogs shed all throughout the year.  It might become more obvious in the spring time as they begin to shed their winter coats.  To tackle this problem, brush your dog more frequently all of that fur gets stuck in the furniture or in the carpet.  You have enough work to do with pets….who needs dust bunnies?

Now is a good time to wash your dog’s bedding.  Use a commercial laundromat for the bigger beds.  Or, if you are lucky and you have a doggie bed with a removable cover, just stick that cover in your home washing machine.  It is best to use a non-scented detergent and do not use dryer sheets, as they can irritate your dog’s skin.

Those are my spring cleaning tips for the day!  I hope I have kick-started your week. (Looking around now…)  Speaking of kick-starting, where is that mangy cat?

(Information for this article was found at http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/howpetownerscanembracespringcl-1548.)

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Posted in Pet Wellness, cats, dogs, pet care | 11 Comments »