While the official verdict is still out, most surveys agree that at least half of all American households have at least one pet. And though the numbers aren’t exact, there’s one fact about pet ownership that’s practically a guarantee.

Pets and fresh houses don’t always go together.

Our furry and feathery friends have a habit of tracking dirt, debris, and dander all over our houses. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to keep your home looking animal-free no matter how many feline or canine companions you may have.

Ready to make your house smell more like a home and less like a kennel? We’re here to help!

Whether you’re a dog lover or a cat person, here’s everything you need to know about how you can keep your home looking and smelling fresh and clean.

Grooming Is Key

When it comes to keeping your house clean when you have animals, the key is to stop the messes at their source. And that means keeping your pet as clean as possible.

A fresh and clean pet house starts and ends with your pet’s grooming routine.

Washing your dog too often can mess up the natural oils in their coat and damage their skin. That said, regular baths and brushing are essential in getting rid of excess hair and dander.

Whenever you take your dog out for a walk or let them out in your backyard, they can and will track dirt and debris back into your house. So, before bringing your canine companion back inside, take a moment to wipe off their paws.

If your dog has an extra fluffy coat, regular trims can also help cut back on shedding and keep your dog cool and comfortable.

Cats are generally pretty good at bathing themselves (certain breeds excluded). So, while you don’t have to worry about them tracking a lot of dirt in, an occasional bath can be beneficial for their skin and coat.

Regularly brushing your cat can help significantly cut back on shedding and help control the amount of cat hair you’ll find stuck to your couch.

When it comes to cats, the most significant grooming routine you have to worry about is trimming their claws.

Sharp kitty-claws can wreak havoc on your furniture if left unchecked. So, take care to clip your feline’s claws once every two weeks.

Vacuum Daily

If you own anything with fur or feathers, you’re going to need to invest in a good vacuum.

Pet owners should strive to vacuum up after their pets once a day. While this may seem like a lot, between their hair and dander, and extra debris like shavings and litter, pets can make a pretty big mess.

So, to keep shedding to a minimum and keep your home looking and feeling clean, you’ll need to vacuum as often as you can.

Stock Up On Stain Remover

Accidents happen! And when they do, it pays to prepare yourself.

Keep a few bottles of your preferred pet stain remover on hand at all times, and if your pet does have a small accident, try not to let it sit. To prevent stains or damage, you should always clean up after your pet as soon as possible.

Use Air Purifiers

One fantastic way to cut down on the amount of pet hair and dander you have floating through the air in your home is by investing in an air purifier or two.

Air purifiers trap debris like pet hair and dander, which can help cut down on the amount of dust in your home and keep it smelling fresh and clean.

Keep Things Easy To Clean

The only way to completely protect your upholstery and carpeting from pets is by not having any. But where’s the fun in that? After all, there’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with your four-legged friend after a long day.

The trick to keeping everything fresh while allowing your pets free reign is to invest in durable and easy to clean materials. Indoor/outdoor rugs, washable upholstery, and hard floors are simple to take care of and can make cleaning up after your pet a breeze.

Cages Are A Weekly Affair

If you have an avian, rodent, or any tiny companion that lives in a cage, you should clean out their living quarters once a week to cut back on odor and debris.

Cleaning out a rodent habitat or birdcage includes dumping out their shavings and replacing them with fresh.

Once a month, you should take this cleaning a step further by washing out their cage with soap and water.

Living With A Litterbox

Finally, if you’re a cat person, you’re already well aware that the only drawback to your feline friend’s company is their litterbox.

From tracking sand onto your furniture to the odors, there are plenty of ways having a litterbox in your home can make it look and smell not so fresh.

Here are a few extra tips on how to maintain a clean house, without throwing away your furry friend’s bathroom.

Use the Right Litter 

Splurging on low-dust and low-tracking litter can go a long way when it comes to covering up the presence of a litterbox. And, if you have multiple cats, always try to stick with multi-cat formulas.

And The Right Box!

You need one and a half litterboxes per cat. So, if you have two cats, you’ll need at least three litterboxes. Before you decide which kind of litterbox you want to get, you need to figure out exactly how many boxes you need.

At the very minimum, you want to make sure you get a litterbox with a cover. A top will help cut down on odor and keep your cat from kicking sand everywhere.

If your cat is good at covering up their business, you may want to consider a top entry litterbox. This design can cut down on your cat’s ability to track sand out.

Scoop Often

Ideally, you should scoop up every time your cat uses the litterbox — but who has time for that? As a general rule of thumb, you should try to scoop out your cat’s litterbox twice a day to prevent odors.

If you’re willing to spend a little extra, a robot litter box will take care of all the scoopings for you.

How To Make Pet Houses Fresh Houses

No matter what you do, if you have a furry friend, you’re going to have to learn to live with finding a stray hair now and then. But, as all pet lovers know, our four-legged friends are well worth it.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to cut back on some of the extra dirt and hair and keep your home looking and smelling it’s best. After all, animal lovers deserve fresh houses too.

Do you need a little extra help cleaning up after Fido? We’ve got you covered!

Contact us for more information about our services or to request a free quote today!