Spring Cleaning Tips for Dog Owners

Spring is in the air! Temperatures are slowly increasing and us humans aren’t the only ones ecstatic about the pleasant weather! Our canine companions suffer just as much as we do during the long frigid months. As the days get longer, it’s time to start planning spring cleaning. While most homes do household spring cleaning, dog owners have more to tackle. Here are a few chores you might want to think about adding to your spring cleaning to-do list this year:


1. Clean out your dog’s toy box – Discard any broken or torn toys. Set aside any toys your pup doesn’t use and donate them to a local shelter. Give any remaining toys a good scrubbing – Wash plush toys in the washer and wipe down any rubber toys with a pet-safe cleaning product, such as a mixture of vinegar and water.


2. Go through treats and medication – Check expiration dates and throw away expired ones. Check prescriptions to see if any are expiring soon and if so, make a note to call your vet to set up an appointment.


3. Clean your dog’s bed – Wash any bedding your dog sleeps on. If your dog bed has reached the end of its life, now is a perfect time to purchase a new one.


4. Have your floors and upholstery professionally cleaned – Vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping can only go so far. Our furry friends leave a build up of fur, dander, dirt every where they go. Having your carpet and upholstery cleaned yearly will prolong its life and make your home that much cleaner. If having it done professionally is to costly for you, many places rent out professional equipment by the hour, which works much better than any regular home appliance when it comes to getting rid of dirt and dander.


5. Make sure your pup is up to date – Inspect your dog’s tags and make sure that the information is up to date. If you’ve moved or changed your phone number, it’s time to purchase a new tag. Also check that the information is still legible – Tags get scratched and become unreadable. That’s the last thing you want if your pet gets lost!

And lastly and most importantly: Enjoy the beautiful weather! Spend some long awaited time outside with your fur baby! Go on a long walk, play fetch, take a trip to the dog park… The possibilities are endless. You and your canine companions have been cooped up for months. April is a perfect time to stretch your legs and spend some time in the sun!