SPRING CLEANING WITH YOUR DOG IN MIND

With the unseasonably warm weather we've had this winter, you may have started your spring cleaning early. However, if you waited for the actual first day of spring, you're in luck because we have some smart tips that will help you clean your house until it sparkles, but will keep the safety of your pet in mind.

Occupy Fido
While you are busy cleaning, scrubbing and vacuuming, you don't want Fido getting underfoot, putting you both at risk for injury. Keep in mind that every year about 80,000 trips and falls are caused by pets alone. To avoid a tumble, set your fuzzball up in another room far from the cleaning action with his or her favorite toy or a Kong filled with treats. Even better, bring your pooch to doggie daycare so that he or she can run and play which will relieve all of their pent-up energy and save you the time of having to walk your dog later. After a day of cleaning, you probably just want to sit with your feet propped up on an ottoman with a drink in hand anyway!

Go Green!
Avoid ammonia, bleach and strong cleaning products loaded with chemicals. Opt instead for green products that are natural and less gag-inducing. Even with the windows open, the toxins in cleaning products tend to linger and are not safe for you or your dog to breath in. Since green products can be pricey, you can experiment by making your own, natural cleaning products. Mother Nature Network lists a few recipes for DIY cleaning solutions that can be made using natural ingredients like borax, salt, lemon juice, water, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. One example suggests using a mixture of 2 tablespoons baking soda with 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a cup of water that is then boiled. You can use the mixture to scrub the insides of your fridge and microwave. Steer clear of toxic cleaning products and both you and your dog will be happier.

Safe-Keeping
Whatever cleaning solutions you wind up using, ensure that they are not left around in any area that your dog can reach. If you mop your floors, rinse with water before you are done in case your dog licks the floor. For eliminating smells in your house, steer clear of odor neutralizing gels that your pup may try to nibble on, which could make him or her very sick.

Clean House, Clean Dog
Once your house is spic and span, bathe your dog! There's no sense in having a clean house if Fido is just going to dirty it up again! At Morris K9 Campus, we're making this easy for you by offering a choice of any specialty scented shampoo with every bath booked from now until April 30, 2012! Choose from the following scented shampoos: Cupcake Kiss, Lucky Duck, Lemongrass, Blueberry, Snickerdoodle, Canine Cabana, April Showers and May Flowers. Check them out and sniff all of our scents which will be conveniently located at the front desk in our lobby. Additional grooming services that Morris K9 Campus also provides are nail trims, brushing and teeth brushing.