All About Pets

Bedding

Beds, blankets, and mats should be washed often, depending on your pet. If your pet comes in from outside with dirty paws and goes right onto their bed, it may need cleaning weekly. Choose a bed with a removable cover that can be washed and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Wash and dry at the hottest temperatures safe for the bedding to sanitize as much as possible. Be sure to dry completely before allowing your pet to have it. 

Wipe or vacuum and wash out kennels as they become dirty or at least several times a year. Use an all-purpose cleaner, rinse, and allow it to dry.

Hang a small towel near the door and teach your pet to wait until you wash or wipe dirty paws before they come in. This will prevent extra washing of their bedding.

Food and Dishes

Dishes should be cleaned or at least rinsed and dried daily. This will prevent bacteria and pests from making themselves at home in them and is even more important if your pet eats any raw food.

If food is kept in a bin or other container, wash thoroughly before putting in a new bag of food. Often, pests such as grain beetles or moths like to invade pet food and will go from any food traces left in the container into the new food.

Leftover cans of pet food must be covered tightly and stored in the refrigerator, usually for only one day. If you need to keep an open can of pet food longer, transfer it to another container and refrigerate. Check with your vet or the food manufacturer to see how long opened canned food can be stored.

Sweaters, Coats, Leashes and More

When choosing gear for your pet, look for easy-to-care for and washable items.

Litter (and Other) Boxes

Indoor pets may need to have indoor bathroom boxes or potties. Clean and disinfect them regularly, depending on the amount of use and your own pets’ needs. Some pets will tolerate a dirty box, but they should not have to. If you use a bleach disinfectant, be sure to rinse or wipe the bleach afterwards to leave the surface pet safe.

Pets have accidents and many leave hair – on everything. 

How to Remove Accidents on Carpets

Always work on carpets using white or light-coloured cloths and take care of stains as soon as possible. First, test cleaning products on an inconspicuous area of the same carpet. If you want to use a steam cleaner, always clean up spots first.

• Pick up solid pieces and blot up liquids as much as you can, even standing on the cloths to get more liquid out.

• Use a carpet spot-cleaner for pet messes; many of these have enzymes that are effective cleaners and deodorizers. Always follow the instructions precisely, blot out, rinse with water and blot again. Find these products at pet food stores or veterinarian offices.

• Dry carpets as quickly as possible. A fan blowing on the area will help.

How to Remove Pet Hair from Upholstered Furniture

• Vacuum using an upholstery attachment, hose nozzle or motorized attachment for stairs.

• Use a clothing lint brush or roller or pieces of tape to pick up the hair.

• Wipe using a pet grooming mitt. Always wipe in one direction and in the direction of the fabric nap, if possible.

• Wipe using a damp washcloth or damp disposable gloves, wiping in one direction.

How to Remove Pet Hair from Your Washer and Dryer

• A top-load washer can be vacuumed out or wiped with a damp cloth.

• A front load washer can be wiped out, including all around the front seal.

• Vacuum the dryer drum, filter and into any areas with a crevice tool. Vacuum the lint trap area.

Many of us like to give special treats to our pets and even want to make our own treats for them. Some of our recipes were developed as dog treats, but cats like them, too! Don’t worry if you do not have special cookie cutters in dog bone or little fish shapes; your pet will like treats in any shape!

Check with your vet before making anything, as your pet may not be allowed certain foods. Also, see below for a way to make a special treat for your dog or cat using their vet-recommended food. 

Dogs tend to be more treat-driven than other pets, so we have several recipes you can make for them. Try our Cheesy Dog Biscuits, Peanut Butter Dog Cookies, and Pumpkin Molasses Dog Cookies. These are all made with everyday ingredients found in your kitchen.

Very Special Pet Treats

If your pet is on a special diet, here is a way to use their regular food to make treats. Check with your vet first, to see if your pet can eat canned fish, chicken, or seafood

1 cup dry food 

1 small can or 1/2 large can wet food 

Small amount of canned fish, chicken, or seafood, drained, reserving liquid

Flour

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.

• Combine dry food and wet food in a small bowl. Allow to sit until the moisture is all absorbed from the wet food. If needed, add a small amount of water to mash the dry food. Mash and mix until few or no lumps remain. 

• Add canned fish, chicken, or seafood and mash well. If the dough is dry, add enough of the oil or water from the canned fish to make a soft dough. If it is too wet, add small amounts of starchy flour (wheat, rice, oat) to make dough come together. 

• Spread out 1/4 – 1/2 inch on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and cut into small pieces with a small cookie cutter, knife, or pizza cutter. Bake until almost dry; remove from oven and recut.

• Can also roll small amounts (1/4 – 1/2 tsp) into balls instead of cutting into shapes. Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake until dry.