Deb D’Andrea, Nederland.

Take a look under your sink to see how many cleaning products you have. There’s one for cleaning counters and dishes, another for the floor, another for the toilet and yet another for pet accidents. If you take a close look at these product ingredients and read their warning label, several of them specifically say to not ingest or get in your eyes and to call Poison control if this happens. I laughed when reading a dish detergent warning that said do not ingest…I was like, but it’s washing my dishes. Anyway, it’s good to really look at what you’re using.

As our pets spend most of their time on wood floors, carpets, rugs and even some enjoying a drink from the toilet bowl, knowing what is in your cleaning products is essential in keeping your pet as healthy as possible. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a database of more than 2,000 products and 200 brands reviewed. You can visit their web site to read through a long list of products which effect human, canine, feline and the environment:

http://www.ewg.org/cleaners/hallofshame/

Over the years, I’ve found weekly vacuuming to remove hair, dander and dirt; and washing my pets bedding with warm water helps tremendously in keeping them and my house clean and healthy. I’m not one for scents and like my house to smell like fresh air, not a bouquet of flowers. I will bathe my girls with warm water when they have gotten muddy or have rolled in something less fragrant and keep them well brushed to help remove extra hair, hair knots and other items like burrs that may become entangled in their fur. Bear has fur that is great for gathering outside items; Tiki and Sally have shorter fur and aren’t as likely to be bringing the outside in.

My personal favorite is Dr. Bronner’s and I use it for basically everything. You can wash your pets and yourself with it; but be very careful as the soap is not tear-free, so you don’t want to get it in your pet’s eyes. Also, I don’t put any essential oils directly onto my pet, so when choosing soap, it’s best to use the Unscented Baby-mild variety.

There are other choices out there and I am by far not familiar with all of them and can only speak from my own experience. So, as you’re hanging out, take a moment to go through your cleaning products to read the labels and toss away those with toxic ingredients to help create a healthy environment for you, your pet and Mother Earth.

Till next time. Deb D’Andrea, founder of 4TheLuvOfDogz & the Caribou Dog Ranch is recognized by the State of Colorado as a Certified Canine Massage Therapist and will visit your home or Vet’s office to work with your dog. Canine Agility may be offered at the Caribou Dog Ranch in 2017 if there is interest. Deb currently has limited availability for new Petz Nanny Clients; and she bakes up fresh dog treats & doggy birthday cakes per order. For information contact Deb at 720-675-7078 or email: info@4theluvofdogz.com.