It's Time for Spring Cleaning! Important Pet Safety Tips

Warmer weather often provides extra motivation to declutter and refresh the home. Spring cleaning means tackling long-avoided chores. From deep cleaning appliances and washing windows to wiping baseboards and dusting blinds, checking these tasks off your to-do list can bring a sense of satisfaction. Of course, cleaning and organizing your home can pose potential risks for your pets, especially young, curious cats and dogs. Before jumping into spring cleaning, review these important pet safety tips.

Inspect and Declutter Your Home

Spring is the perfect time to declutter your home. Less items in your home that you don’t need or want means fewer risks for your pets. While decluttering, don’t overlook your pet’s belongings. Assess the condition of pet toys, looking for signs of excessive wear and tear. Discard any toys that are sharp, broken, or could pose a choking hazard. Consider donating any toys that your pet doesn’t play with or has long lost interest in.

Refresh Toys and Pet Bedding

It’s easy to overlook cleaning when it comes to pet items. Take some time this season to refresh your pet’s toys and bedding. Using a fragrance-free laundry detergent, launder your pet’s beds, blankets, and toys to remove built-up dirt, grime, and slobber. Also, deep clean other surfaces where your pets spend a lot of time, such as couch cushions, mattresses, carpets, and rugs.

Check Product Labels

Traditional cleaning products contain a variety of harmful chemicals and toxins that can be harmful to animals. Before you begin cleaning, check the labels. Pet-friendly cleaning products are free of potentially hazardous ingredients like ammonia, chlorine, bleach, phenols, alcohol, phthalates, formaldehyde, and hydrogen peroxide. Remember that “natural” products aren’t always safe. Do your research before making a purchase.

Sanitize Pet Bowls

Hot water and soap are often enough to keep your pet’s food and water bowls clean on a day-to-day basis. However, it’s important to disinfect pet bowls every now and then to eliminate any harmful bacteria that could harm your pet’s health. Disinfect pet bowls with a diluted bleach solution. Combine approximately one gallon of water with one-half cup of regular bleach and soak the bowls for 10 minutes before thoroughly rinsing.

Inspect Pet Gear for Safety

You rely on your pet’s gear throughout the year to keep them safe while outdoors. Dog collars, leashes, and harnesses are built to last but can succumb to damage, especially if your dog is very active. This spring, perform a thorough inspection. Replace any accessories that show signs of fraying or weak spots. Create a safe space to store these items so that they’re easily accessible when you need them.

Secure Window Screens Against Curious Cats

With nicer weather on the way, you’ll likely be opening up windows. Many pets, especially cats, enjoy sitting near windows, watching the outside world. Unfortunately, open windows can create safety hazards. If you plan to open your windows, make sure that your cats and dogs are not at risk of falling out. Install sturdy screens in your windows and never leave your pets unattended around open windows and doors.

Avoid Plants Hazardous to Pets

Plants are an excellent way to brighten up your space and create a fresh, floral smell in your home and yard. However, some plants are toxic to pets. Before bringing any plants indoors or planting any flowers or produce in your yard, check to make sure they won’t harm your pets if ingested. Examples of plants toxic to pets include lilies, sago palms, tulips, azaleas, oleander, and cyclamen.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

It’s common for indoor air quality to diminish in the winter as cold air can trap pollutants near the ground. An increased reliance on heating sources can also release pollutants. This spring, consider refreshing the air in your home with regular ventilation. When weather permits, open doors and windows to let fresh air circulate. Air purifiers can also be used to reduce odors and pet dander in the home. Look for models with HEPA filters.

Use Caution Outdoors

Spring cleaning is not limited to indoors. With warm weather often comes yard and garden cleanup tasks. Remove any tree limbs and branches that may have fallen during the winter, posing a safety hazard to pets. Also, keep outdoor chemicals out of reach. Fertilizers, paints, weed killers, and similar chemicals can be toxic to animals and should not be accessible by cats and dogs.

Be Wary of Parasites

Warmer temperatures often mean your pet will spend more time outdoors. Unfortunately, this increases their risk of acquiring parasites. Cats and dogs can encounter fleas and ticks while playing outdoors, but you can help prevent infestations by planning for proper flea and tick prevention. Ask your vet about prevention options and be sure that all of your pet’s vaccines are up-to-date.

Safe Spring Cleaning for Pet Owners

Spring presents the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. Create a healthy, welcoming atmosphere in your home for your family and pets by participating in some important spring cleaning tasks.

Always use caution when spring cleaning to keep your animals safe from potential hazards like cleaning products and take time to complete those cleaning and organizing tasks you’ve overlooked all winter. By taking the proper precautions, you can create a clean, safe home that you and your pets can enjoy the rest of the year.