Posts tagged "cleaning"

Delightful as we find the warmer spring weather (and, trust us, we do find it quite delightful), with it come a few extra messes. Specifically, dog-related messes.

Nobody is more aware of this than the dog whisperer, Cesar Millan, who worked with Swiffer research and development experts to show how he gets a handle on three of his top pet messes, including springtime shedding. You can check out video of him doing just that on Swiffer's Facebook page.

And now, Millan and Swiffer have joined forces to launch the Messiest Mutts Sweepstakes, which will run through Apr. 12. The contest winner gets to go to the Dog Whisperer's ranch for some training!

Think you could use a bit of dog whispering? Head over to Swiffer's Facebook page to enter the sweepstakes!

Between muddy paws, messy treats and digestive difficulties, our dogs and cats really do a number on our homes. We find fur gathered in the farthest corners of our rooms, and the sliding glass door is always covered with nose prints. It's absolutely worth it, of course, but it's a lot to clean.

That's why we're sharing some of the pet products that have really worked for us for dealing with the day-in, day-out mess of pets. And then we need you to share some of your go-to pet-specific cleaning products or tools. Please tell us about them in the comments. (Seriously, please!)



For Cleaning Up Carpeting Mishaps: When we say that the Bissell Spotbot Pet Deep Cleaner saved Christmas for us this past year, it is no exaggeration. Our 60-lb. dog got into something that didn't agree with him and had horrible diarrhea for several days, meaning our carpets took a beating. (Gross, yes, but we know you've been there.) This tool saved us from spending hours (and hours) scrubbing -- you simply put it over the stain, select a setting, turn it on and wait. For small spots or spread-out stains, there's a little hand-held portion, but to be honest, we stick with the main machine. The fact that we can set this down on even set-in stains and walk away, only to come back to a clean section of carpet is still blowing our minds.

Humans aren't the only mammals that need to brush their teeth to maintain their oral health. Dogs are at risk for developing many of the same oral diseases, such as plaque and tartar, that can develop in the human mouth as a result of neglected dental hygiene. Tartar causes gingivitis, an inflammation that hurts your dog's gums and eventually progresses to irreversible periodontal disease. At this stage, bacteria growth may be so rampant that it spreads beyond your dog's mouth and into his vital organs via the bloodstream, causing critical -- and often irreparable -- damage.

However, the good news is that with a little home oral care provided by you, plaque build-up can be controlled and reduced before it ever has a chance to cause severe health problems in your pooch. Just follow these simple steps to cleaning your dog's pearly whites:

1. Only use toothpaste sold specifically for dogs. Dogs can't spit and will happily swallow any gunk squirted into their mouths, so never use human toothpaste; it isn't edible for dogs or humans (as many have figured out the hard way).

2. Depending on which tool is the easiest for you to work with, brush your dog's teeth with either a regular human toothbrush, fingerbrush, or a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. This may take a few sessions of experimenting.

No matter what the season, filthy paws can be a hassle for every pet owner, whether we're dealing with mud, snow, grass, or whatever your furry friend can muster up in the great outdoors (and with dogs, the possibilities are endless).

After dealing with the problem firsthand, co-inventors Brianne Leary and Andrew D. Taylor put their heads together and came up with the Paw Plunger, a mug-shaped contraption lined with cleaning bristles that, when combined with water, are meant to swiftly and comfortably extract any unwelcome residue off your pup's paws.

We haven't tried the Paw Plunger ourselves -- yet -- but we highly recommend the video, which, oddly enough, makes us want to cry. Terriers and acoustic guitar: it'll getcha every time.

Source