pets - Parenting Healthy

Opinions are my own! This post may contain affiliate links

As spring approaches, nothing feels better than starting off the season of longer days and travels than with a clean and organized home. With so many cleaning products on the market, we have to now consider ingredients and ways to prevent having to use harsh ingredients when cleaning around small children and our pets.

We have 2 puppies under the age of 2 and dog messes happen almost daily. I just had one sneak upstairs and leave a potty mess in the hallway carpet this morning. Even the trained puppy slips at times.

5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Safely for the Dogs

Choosing the right cleaners. Choosing a toxin free cleaner is a must. Our pets are exposed to so much we cannot control such as what they encounter in dog parts, processed foods, outdoor and indoor pollutants so let’s make sure the cleaners we use are safe for them. I use a brand I get on Amazon called Truce. It really works great and they only include about 5 simple ingredients in their products. I am not sponsored by Truce for this feature, I just love their ingredients and want to share that option with you. In addition, constant use of alcoholic sanitizers and antibacterial wet wipes around the house can cause serious health issues for your dog. Products with harsh chemicals and ingredients should alert pet owners. Instead, using plastic-free eco-friendly wipes are a safe option. They are effective against 99.9% of germs and work great on counters, appliances, tables, and tiles for quick and easy cleanup without leaving harmful odors.

The Dog Dishes. Keeping the feeding area clean is so important. I used to pet sit years ago as extra income and I will never forget a home I was in to care for their 2 dogs. They kept their food in a small garbage can in the garage. As I was there I reached in as food was low and scooped up food and looked down and saw it–mold! Luckily, a new bag was available so I could discard that can (I dumped all food, used their hose and soap to wash it out and dry so a fresh bag could be put in). When you store food or keep food bowls full for free feeding you need to wash and dry between fills.
In this family’s case, they would see food get low and pour in a fresh bag so there was food at the bottom that never was circulating into the fresh batch and just sitting there as ‘the bottom of the bin’. With my dogs I use an elevated dish set that is all dishwasher safe (see what I use here). Have you cleaned the feeding area lately?
They will help with spring cleaning by first surveying the home to find all areas the dogs frequent. These professional cleaners will then tailor a cleaning schedule and use cleaning supplies that will be safe for dogs. This will usually involve using vetted and safe cleaning products and vacuuming often to remove any pet hair and dander that could be harmful if inhaled by the dogs. You can visit UrbanMop and find a perfect option for you, and be sure that once they’re finished, you can rest easy knowing your home is clean and safe for your furry friend.

Catch those messes early! With spring, comes wet yards. Having the right items nearby as you let your dog inside will prevent mud and dirt from reaching too far into the home. I keep a towel nearby for muddy paws and natural dog shampoo and soap in the downstairs shower or by a hose for the real messy outdoor play adventures. Taking a moment to wash down and with soap and a shower or yard hose keeps messes and stains from furniture and rugs.

Protect the human furniture. Using furniture covers or even keeping a blanket on the dog’s favorite couch spot really saves the sofas and chairs over time. If you are looking for a quality dog furniture cover that was recently updated in 2019, see these suggestions from DogProductPicker.com

Keep your pet groomed! My dog’s may not shed (we have Whoodles), but all dogs float dander. Keeping your dog groomed helps eliminate excess hair and dander from landing on floors and furniture. Invest in a quality de-shedding brush and if you are spring cleaning your home, make the dogs a grooming appointment. They get out of the house while you clean and when you pick them up, they are not excessively shedding int he clean space. Grooming includes clean ears and eyes so as not to have them rubbing yeast and debris on blankets an rugs.

Another note, if your spring cleaning plans include an upcoming move then consider these tips if you need some extra help keeping your fur baby in mind. Here are a few simple steps that can ease the stress of moving with pets.

Pets are such a blessing, but also can add to the mess of a home quickly. Practicing prevention is how I stay on top of my dogs’ messes. It is an easy routine to get into.

Pets Products, Uncategorized

Elevated Dog Bowls for your Pet from Kitchen Dog

March 20, 2019March 20, 2019 Erin Sluka

Would you ket your best friend eat of the floor?

Of course not and Kitchen Dog knows this. I have owned dog stations in the past and cleaning all the crevices are a pain. Worse is when you accidentally kick it and water spills everywhere. Kitchen Dog dishes float…off of the ground!

This was our set up before The Kitchen Dog….

And after installing The Kitchen Dog…

It was so easy to install and with some simple tools. I have a stud finder and that really helped to make it sturdy. When I want to clean it I just lift that whole back panel off of the bracket screwed into the wall and the dishes come out.

When you order your Kitchen Dog set you get to customize it. I chose an 8 cup dish for the water and the 6 cup dish for food and we have 2 medium sized dogs. This was a great size option. I don’t fill the water too often and it holds enough food for over a day for them.

Plot Twist! Maya, our oldest will only drink for the toilet. We have to keep the bathroom door shut at all times and even then she paces because she would hardly take water from her old water feeder. Now that we have the Kitchen Dog elevated dog bowls and it is installed at the right height for her she is going to the water dish now and not the toilet. I had no idea she was struggling at drinking water at floor level, but it makes sense!

They give you tips for best height selection. You have to measure from ground to your dog’s torso and use that height on the wall for the bracket. We have 2 dog’s and we measured Maya’s (the shortest of the 2) torso height. Leah does just fine even though she is a bit taller.

Customize Your Kitchen Dog Set

Comment: I was sent product. Opinions are 100& my own

Pets Products, Tips and Tricks

Bringing Home a New Puppy – Tips by Dana Humphrey “The Pet Lady”

March 19, 2019March 19, 2019 Erin Sluka

Bringing home a new puppy should be a bit of a chore. If you have put the thought and preparation into bringing him or her to your home then that is half the battle. A new puppy is an adjustment and sadly many puppies get re-homed because the first family just was not prepared enough.

Here are some great tips by Dana Humphrey “The Pet Lady”. Make sure you can share these with anyone you know who is preparing to bring home a puppy.

1. Get a good pet carrier. I always say “bark buckle up”. It’s important to transport your new puppy home in a safe carrier. Plus, they can cuddle up in there as it is important with a lot of new stimuli to try to limit their world. Limit the amount of space that the pet has access to at first. Limit the number of people and animals the pet meets at first too.

2. ID Tag: It’s important to get an up to date ID tag, as whether it’s a rescue pup or a new puppy, pets have been known to escape most within the first 3 days of being in a new environment. You want to make sure you have an identification on them if you haven’t had time to microchip them yet.

3. Harness and Lead. You are going to need to get out and take them for a walk, pretty much right away. Buddy Belts makes an awesome leather harness and lead set that is gentle on their chests, doesn’t pull on their trachea like a collar and has some cute stylish options. It is easy to put on and makes walk time a great experience all around.

4. Wee Wee Pads. If you live in the city, wee wee pads are a must. Train your pet to piddle on the pads so that your home can stay as clean as possible. Urban dogs and small dogs can easily be trained to use these for relieving themselves. You want to put them in the same place for consistency and not to confuse your pup.

5. Toy. All puppies want to play! Avoid having them rip up your sofa or shoe collection and give them their own toys to play with. A toy box or a toy area where they know those are for them can help save your personal items. It’s great to stimulate and engage your new pet with some chase, fetch or tug of war.

Our furry friends are precious and special so we must provide them with the health, safety and love they deserve!

Dana Humphrey, AKA “The Pet Lady” travels coast to coast scouting out the best pet products, brands and pet experts. She is also a professor and program facilitator at FIT, the fashion institute of technology and teaches in the pet product marketing and design department. She was recently awarded by Pet Age Magazine 40 under 40 and Women of Influence. The Pet Lady website:Www.thepetlady.org