Vacuuming Your Pets

Cleaning after your pet is a momentous task, especially if your pet is a long-haired breed. Most pet owners would recommend a thorough vacuuming at least once a week, concentrating on carpeted floors and corners. However, you don't have to see hair on your furniture or bed to prevent a total fur take-over. There are several steps you can take in order to lessen your weekly workload, all in steps that would take less than 10 minutes out of your day.

1. Groom your pet at least once a week. This is extremely important. Brushing your furry friend can reduce shed hair. For cats, this will help them reduce the amount of hairball ingestion.

2. Pets tend to shed during the summer season, as well as during allergy season (springtime). Shaving your pet will not do anyone justice, even if you are in a desert location! They will still shed regardless of their hair length.

3. Scared, nervous dogs and cats will shed. Try to reduce the noise in your home if this is the case. Allow your pets some quiet time to themselves. Do not expose them to loud, hectic environments for too long. Unfamiliar happenings will cause your pet to seek shelter under the bed, under covers, or even to you. Be mindful of their distress.

4. Consider investing in a hand vacuum or a HEPA vacuum to help reduce the allergens (like cat hair) in your home. If you are concerned about the amount of pet odor in your home, consider buying a vacuum with a carbon filter to take out the "pet smell" away.

Before vacuuming after your pet, make sure that the hoses have been unclogged and the dust bag or cup properly emptied. You will need good suction, and the easiest way to achieve this is by clearing out the vacuum's passageways. If you have a rubber brush, like a Love Glove, consider using this on the furniture. And, if you do not mind, scrape away large "dark spots" of fur with it before vacuuming. This will reduce the fur load your vacuum will clean and give it more room for a deeper clean.Sprinkle your carpet with baking soda, but be sure to keep your pets away from playing in it. Baking soda can be in your baked goods but it's not meant for pets to inhale or swallow!

Consider investing for a HEPA vacuum or a vacuum with a carbon filter to help take the smell of pets away. There are various special vacuums such as those categorized at Vacuum Home's pet vacuum page. Most of these vacuums are equipped with special accessories designed to brush away fine hairs.