Pet-safe ways to Spring Clean your home!

Pet-safe ways to Spring Clean your home!

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Ahhh Spring – it feels nice to be finally thawing out from a long, cold winter!

As we welcome warmer days and lighter evenings, we might be getting that urge to pull out all the furniture and give the house a good ‘spring clean’.

Where did "Spring Cleaning" originate from?

There are many thoughts on where the term ‘spring clean’ first originated from, with historical references found in the Iranian Nowruz (the Persian New Year), the Jewish springtime festival of Passover and the Catholic holiday period of Easter. But regardless of where the phenomenon first started, most of us partake in the tradition.

With that in mind, we thought we’d take this opportunity to remind all of you responsible and loving dog owners of the potential dangers that can crop up when it comes to spring cleaning and our pets.

Baking soda and vinegar in jars, half a lemon, sponge, and brush on a wooden surface.

Cleaning products

The home cleaning market truly boomed as everyone got their ‘Hinch’ on in 2018. There are literally thousands of cleaning products to choose from in the supermarkets, and of course the main ingredient for these to be effective is a combination of different chemicals. Air fresheners, floor cleaners, disinfectants for toys, bedding detergents – all can be potentially poisonous for our pets, especially if they contain phenols, phthalates, formaldehyde, bleach, isopropyl alcohol or perchloroethylene. Ensure that areas are well ventilated during a clean, and that pet-safe products are used, especially in areas where a pet may come into oral or skin contact.

Alternatively, you can use natural remedies to keep your home sparkling clean. A simple mixture of white vinegar, baking soda, lemon and water can keep surfaces, appliances, floors and bathrooms clean in a truly pet-safe way. There are plenty of other natural cleaning options too, for example, did you know that ketchup is a great ingredient for cleaning silver?

Choking hazards

A good declutter is good for the soul – but be cautious of any small objects that may be left on the floor during this process. Small toys, batteries and other ‘junk drawer’ content, old cosmetics, clothes (particularly socks!) - they may look tasty and enticingly chewable to your pet, but they could pose a choking hazard, or create serious gastrointestinal issues if ingested.

Gardening dangers

A good spring clean wouldn’t be complete without sprucing up the garden. Weed killers (containing glyphosate), lawn feed, compost (which can produce dangerous mycotoxins) and insecticides/pesticides, all pose risks and potential harm to your pets (and of course other garden wildlife).

If using these products, ensure that pets are kept away whilst in use, and that they’re kept safely out of reach when in storage. Consult product labels for more information and if in doubt, speak to your vet.

Groom time!

What better way to finish off a deep house clean than to turn your attention to your pet. Whilst cats can usually keep themselves clean and tidy, dogs often require a bit more hygiene attention! Natural and skin-friendly shampoos and body washes are an essential part of a dog groom routine.

Reducing anxiety

For some particularly anxious pets, spring cleaning, decluttering, rearranging/ moving furniture and grooming can be a stressful time. Changes to the environment, loud noises, strange smells and changes to routine can cause anxiety in pets. Ensure that they have a quiet area they can feel safe in during the process, and help ease their anxiety with calming treats, frequent breaks, walks and, of course, lots of attention.

If your pet does come into contact with anything poisonous in or out of the home, seek medical advice from your vet as soon as possible.