How To Have A Gorgeous Home As A Dog Owner

dog grooming dog cleaning

February 18, 2019

Guest post by Nick Burton

You love your home and your dog. However, as most dog owners will know, those two loves can sometimes be conflicting. You want your dog to be happy, comfortable and carefree, but not at the expense of your floors and furnishings. Achieving this balance is not as complicated as you may think, and in fact, it just requires some smart maintenance and the right tools.

Dog Grooming

Start by making life easier for yourself by regularly grooming your dog. This will mean different things for different dogs, so check this guide by iHeartDogs which outlines the best grooming schedules for different lengths and types of coats. Regular grooming will minimize shedding, protecting your soft furnishings (and clothes) from the onslaught of pet hair usually associated with certain breeds.

As well as keeping their coats in check, you need to regularly trim their nails, especially if you are trying to protect your hardwood flooring from scratches. Most dogs need their nails cut every 1-2 months. Unlike trimming, which is best left to the professionals, you can trim your dog’s nails at home quite easily if you have the right tools and technique.

Dog Cleaning

Cleaning your dog after outside visits is also important. Ideally, you should have a dedicated area in your home where you can wash down any dirt or mud and dry your dog off before letting him back into the house.

When it comes to shampooing and giving them a proper bath, it’s up to you to decide a routine. Regular baths can get rid of some of the dog smell, but you should never bathe a dog more often than once a week unless specified by a vet. If you choose to do it more often than once a month, choose non-soap solutions that are protective of their skin.

Keeping Your Floors Clean

The biggest challenge for most dog owners is keeping their floors clear of pet hair. The best way to deal with this is to invest in a vacuum cleaner that’s designed to pick up pet hair — if it doesn’t advertise this feature, chances are it won’t do the job very well.

Side note: if you use cleaning products on your floor, make sure they are safe for your dog. Most detergents and DIY cleaning solutions are safe, but look closely at the label for warnings against use around animals.

Protecting Your Furniture

Furniture can be a bit trickier, especially if your items are antique, vintage, or painted, as these can be easily damaged. This doesn’t mean you are doomed to storing or giving away your timeless pieces. Instead, you’ll have to take some extra steps to keep your furniture safe and damage-free. Some people opt to ban their dogs from climbing onto furniture entirely, while others like to have them sit with the rest of the family. If you are one of the latter, you will have to either protect the furniture from pet hair or regularly clean it off.

Protective methods are more convenient, but plastic covers and mats are often ugly. You could cover the furniture your dog sits on with a nice blanket or throw, but you will have to wash it regularly to get rid of the fur and the smell. Another option is use a spray repellent, as well as bring in a dog trainer to nip any chewing or furniture hopping in the bud.

If your furniture is something you want to display rather than cover up, the best option is to invest in a dog hair removal tool. These make it easy to simply swipe the hair away at the end of each day, meaning the hair doesn’t accumulate.

Keeping your home gorgeous and your pet happy is really just a case of undertaking proper maintenance. By staying on top of your dog’s grooming schedule and finding the best tools to keep pet hair at bay, you have already won half the battle. All that’s left to do is enjoy the company of your furry friend in the comfort of your lovely, clean home.

Photo via Pxhere.

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