Steps to Start Spring Cleaning for Your Furry Friends
Spring cleaning season has arrived, and if you’re a pet parent, it’s the perfect time to freshen up the spaces where your pets sleep, eat, and play. A clean environment is a healthier environment, so when you add pet cleaning to your spring cleaning tasks, you contribute to the continued health of your animal friends.
Read on for pet cleaning tips from our team at Adobe Animal Hospital & Laser Surgery Center.
Choose Pet-Safe Products for Your Cleaning Spree
When spring cleaning with dogs or spring cleaning with cats, it’s important to avoid ingredients that can be toxic, or those that can irritate sensitive paws and noses.
Choose products labeled “pet-safe,” and avoid using cleaners with the following ingredients when cleaning with dogs or cleaning with cats:
• Ammonia
• Chlorine
• Essential oils
• Formaldehyde
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Phenols
• Phthalates
• Bleach (using a properly diluted bleach solution to disinfect is generally safe as long as the item is thoroughly rinsed and aired out)
Start With a Deep Clean of the Home
Break out the vacuum, dust rags, and mops to remove a winter’s worth of pet hair and allergens from the surfaces in your home. The best vacuums for spring cleaning with dogs or spring cleaning with cats have HEPA filters for removing airborne particles, including pollen, mold, and bacteria.
Another option for deep cleaning carpeted areas is to rent a professional-grade carpet cleaner or use a professional cleaning service (be sure they’re using pet-safe products). Also, take this time to launder or deep clean area rugs, scatter rugs, and doormats.
Pay Close Attention to These Pet Spaces
Once you’ve given the house an overall cleaning, it’s time to turn your attention to all the places where your pet sleeps, plays, and eats. Try these pet cleaning tips:
- Launder all pet beds and blankets, and replace those that are too worn to survive the spin cycle.
- Give the litter box a deep clean with hot soapy water (or a properly diluted bleach solution) and let it dry thoroughly before adding new litter. Don’t forget to clean the scooper, litter mat, and other accessories.
- Launder nylon pet collars, and double check that your pet’s ID tag info and microchip details are up to date.
- Run your pet’s playthings and bowls through the dishwasher, and replace toys that are broken or torn.
- It’s not always fun to scoop the poop in the winter chill, so clean up any remaining “business” in the backyard when the weather warms.
- Examine your pet’s meds and check expiration dates. But don’t flush or toss! Contact us for safe disposal information.
Make Pet Cleaning Part of Your Pet Wellness Plan
Our pets deserve safe, clean surroundings for their continued health. In addition to routine dog wellness and cat wellness visits with your veterinarian, add spring cleaning to your overall pet wellness plan. Please contact us at (530) 673-4744 if it’s time for a dog wellness or cat wellness appointment.