Clean house without harming your pet

Anyone who has pets knows the joy they bring to the family. But, for coexistence to be harmonious, care must be taken with cleanliness. No one wants excess hair or unpleasant odors around the house. But keeping everything shining requires care, mainly because some products used in cleaning can cause allergies and even poisoning in animals. “To avoid accidents, check the label to make sure that the formulas do not contain dangerous substances or use specific products for those with animals”, warns veterinarian Eduardo Tirado, from Animal Show Pet. Always read the label on cleaning products and follow the guidelines for safe cleaning!

Keep an eye on the packaging!

Avoid the use of products with these names: boric, phosphoric, sulfuric, hydrochloric and oxalic acids; ammonia, sodium disulfide, chlorine, sodium and potassium hydroxide; sodium hypochlorite, calcium oxide, sodium peroxide, sodium silicate and triethanolamine. Some of them cause intoxication and even the death of the pet.

How to keep everything in order and safe

Floor

·Use a damp cloth with disinfectant suitable for environments with animals or one that does not contain ammonia.
·Pass the vacuum cleaner to remove the hair (also vacuum the sofa and carpet) or use the magic squeegee (sold in pet supply stores), which collects the dirt without the hair spreading and depositing on the furniture.
·Alcohol and vinegar mixed in equal parts eliminate feces and pee odors. Dampen a cloth in this solution and pass through all environments. Or else use a natural remover.

Yard

Wash with plenty of water and throw in a solution of 2/3 warm water and ¹/³ white vinegar. Let the yard dry naturally afterwards.

cleaning smell

Pee out of place can leave smell and stains on carpets and sofas. In addition to the specific products that exist on the market, you can use a homemade solution. First, remove excess urine with a paper towel. Then put a solution of white vinegar and hot water (in a ratio of 1 to 3) on the spot and cover with baking soda. When drying, pass the vacuum cleaner.

To get the animal used to peeing and pooping in one place, spray the other spaces with liquid repellent (for floors) or granules (for use in external areas), specific for pets.

Their corner deserves attention

With each change of food or water, wash the container with soap to avoid fungus.

Your pet’s bathroom

Sanitary mat is a good substitute for newspaper. More absorbent, it reduces smell and keeps the place dry and clean. There are ecologically correct types, which degrade faster after being correctly discarded. Most prevent their paws from coming into contact with pee and feces. For cats, use a litter box and clean it more than once a day.

Keeping the animal clean also wards off diseases.

Teeth: do the brushing using a brush and toothpaste suitable for animals. This prevents the formation of tartar and, consequently, bad breath.

Bath: the ideal is to take every 15 days, for dogs. In summer, the shower once a week with warm water is allowed. And of course: blow dry.

Ears: weekly cleaning prevents fungus and infections. The veterinarian can recommend specific products.

By the: Brush your pet daily to prevent excessive hair loss.

Products that AnaMaria loved!

1. Vacuum cleaner Compacteo Ergo Cyclonic Animal Care, by Arno: sucks hair up to 30% faster and eliminates 99.9% of impurities, R$399.99*

two. Multipurpose Bio Wash, Dog’s Care: it is 100% natural and biodegradable. Acts as a bactericide and insect repellent, R$14.90*

3. Dry Pee SweepPetmais: with bactericidal action, transforms the urine liquid into powder and eliminates odors, R$26*

4. Indoor flea spray Fleegard, Bayer HealthCare: fights fleas and larvae. Can be used on their bed, R$37*

*Prices researched in September/2013