Can we take a minute to talk about something almost every pet parent deals with?

Although pet hair and odors are a small price to pay to have our furry ones at home with us, the fuzz and funky smells can sometimes seem overwhelming!

My dog Shadow (and my cats Karma and Trinity) leave hair everywhere. We have hardwood floors, and although our pets have short fur, the tiny fluff-drifts collect in corners of rooms, and on the furniture. And if I’m honest here, Shadow sometimes carries an aroma about him. We’re fortunate he’s not had a close encounter with a skunk–yet–the way previous dogs have.

I know I’m not the only one dealing with this. 

Over the years, I’ve found some of the easiest ways to keep my home as fur and odor-free as possible. That cuts down on fuzz on clothes (I don’t mind, but the public frowns on that). The fuzz always gets in my eyes, or drops in food while cooking, both uncomfortable and unsanitary. 

Here’s a few of the things I do to tackle pet odor and hair in my home: 

Tip # 1: Throw your pet’s linens in the washer.  

Shadow loves his snuggly bed and even takes treats there to gnaw. That leaves crumbs that potentially attract bugs (ants in the summer can prove a challenge!). He also loves sleeping with us, and we love it too. But we routinely end up vacuuming the headboard. At least we can toss sheets and blankets in the washer, to combat that pet-smelly-ambience. 

I invested in washer-safe fabrics and sturdy bedding that can easily be washed. Odor-busting detergent, pet friendly varieties, are your friend. Today, you also can find dryer sheets that help neutralize the odor and also collect pet hair.  

Tip # 2: Sweep, Mop & Swiffer 

Regularly cleaning your floors and carpets will do wonders for odor and hair. I really like the Dyson pet-friendly vacuum selection and vacuum thoroughly once a week. I also use the Swiffer products for pets to catch fur on hardwood floor surfaces. Making these quick chores a part of your regular household duties makes a big difference. 

Be sure to check labels of any chemicals you use to make sure they’re safe for your furry friend. Some “clean smelling” products have pine oil or other oils or acids that can be dangerous to pets. While citrus smells great to humans, it’s off-putting especially to cats. Choose products designed with your pet in mind.

Tip #3: Black light investigation! 

 If you’ve thoroughly cleaned everything but still struggle with odors, you may have missed an accident! A black light can help you find dog or cat urine or vomiting pet messes that need extra attention.  

Tip #4: Groom your pet.  

Bathing, brushing and trimming your pet’s hair regularly cuts down on shedding, hairballs, pet odors and makes your pet look great, too. I have to regularly comb out Shadow and the cats to cut down on furry drifts. And the cats have problems with swallowed hair turning into hairballs–especially my senior cat Karma. Once a week helps enormously. I do this right before I vacuum so I can clean up the shed fur immediately. I use the Furminator for dogs and the one for cats as well.

Regular brushing also helps monitor skin health, to check for any lumps or bumps the vet needs to check. I also trim the cats’ claws weekly, but take Shadow-Pup to a professional groomer once a month for his nail care. A pro can help especially when you have a wiggly pet or one too big to persuade to sit still. 

Tip #5: Every pet home needs a great lint brush

Lint rollers are life savers when you really need to spiff up your clothes and remove the pet fur. With a black dog, and light colored cats, it doesn’t matter what color clothing I wear–the fur always shows. I don’t mind while working at home, but going out in public demands a bit of a more professional look. I use mine before church each week, or any other public event.  

Don’t limit them to your clothes. They are great on any fabric and furniture. I use mine on the bed pillows in between laundry days. 

If the lint roller doesn’t work or you don’t have one handy, you can try duct tape for any fabric surface, or even a damp dryer sheet for a dryer-face fabric.  

Having a pet means you will deal with hair and odors from time to time. It’s part of pet parenthood. What do you do around the home to deal with hair or odors? Let me know!