If you’re a new pet owner, you will learn quickly that pets love to get your house dirty. When you first adopt a puppy or a kitten, there’s a short honeymoon period during which you can’t imagine anything going wrong.
And within a few weeks, you get to realize that pets, however adorable they are, can seriously affect your decor. For a start, most new pet owners discover – a little too late – why you should never leave a puppy alone for an entire day. From destroyed sofas to the ruined floor, there’s a lot of damage a tiny animal can do in a matter of hours!
But even if you are cautious not to leave your pet unattended for a long time, it can be challenging to keep the house spotless. Don’t worry, though: Here are a few basic tricks to learn when you adopt a furry friend!
A tumultuous relationship: pets and carpets
A young pup needs on average 6 months before being fully toilet trained. In other words, you will need to clean after them, especially as they might not understand immediately that the carpet isn’t the same thing as the lawn! But with these handy tips for keeping your carpets clean with pets, you can get rid of most stains. For urine stains, you should start by patching the area with a small towel.
Then clear out the spot with some warm water and dishwashing liquid. Ultimately, you’ll find it easier to keep the carpet spotless if you vacuum at least twice a week – to avoid pet hair buildups – and place a rug at each entrance to catch dirt as your pet comes in.
The kitchen is unhygienic
While the kitchen is the heart of your home, it’s also the place where you feed your pet. Consequently, you need to redouble your efforts to keep the kitchen clean and pristine. Indeed, getting into the habit of cleaning as you go is helpful as your pet might drop food and water on the floor. Additionally, if you have a cat, you want to wash your dishes and countertops ASAP to keep the cooking area hygienic. Indeed, cats are likely to jump and walk on the work surface, which can affect your meal preps.
It’s your sofa, not your dog’s
Do you know what the favorite spot of your dog is? It’s the couch! 80% of our canine friends love lounging on the sofa. Unfortunately, this habit can damage both the surface and the firmness of the seat. Besides, you’re likely to be covered in pet hair if you accidentally sit on their spot. As a pet owner, you have no choice. You need to teach your dog to stay away from the sofa. Training and positive reinforcements with treats can go a long way!
Create a storage box
Dogs and cats can have a ton of toys. And it’s okay; you love them, and you want them to have only the best. Except that their toys can rapidly clutter your interior. But you can create a pet storage space, with their bed and an open crate for their toys. You can even train your dog to put the balls and chewable sticks away.
Ah, pets! They make our lives so much better! But if you’re not careful, they can turn your houses dirty! With appropriate training and tricks, you can gain back control and keep your home feeling as homely and welcoming as ever.
Final thoughts on how pets can wreak havoc
Thanks to our contributor for the hints today. While these sound like great ideas, I ran them past my consultant–my toy fox terrier, Rocco. He votes two paws down and will remain sleeping in my bed and continue scooting his hind parts across the carpet.
She has a B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education/English and a Spanish Minor. In addition, she holds a Certificates in Natural Health and Herbology from accredited programs. She pursued these natural wellness certifications due to her love for herb gardening.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
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