Have a Smelly Pet? Try These 4 Simple Tips to Naturally Get Rid of Those Stinky Odors
We all love our pets, but one think we could probably do without is the sticky odors from play time or coming in after a walk. Luckily, you can stop the stick naturally and keep your little smelling fresh using these four simple tips!
SOS for a stinky soft toy.
Yuck! Even after you’ve thrown your pet’s favorite toy in the washer on a hot cycle, it still stinks. That’s because the odor is likely caused by bacteria trapped in the fibers that a washer can’t get into. The easy way to eliminate the stench on any fabric plaything, from ropes to stuffed toys? Wet the fabric, place in a bowl, then microwave for one minute. A recent study found that the microwave zaps away odor-causing organisms.
Soothe Buster’s constipation.
After a bout of diarrhea, your poor dog is now straining to go while on his daily walk. You can help ease his digestive tract — and offer him some relief — with mineral oil. Just drizzle the oil over his food during meal times (veterinarians suggest giving one teaspoon for every 10 pounds of your pet’s weight). The oil will act as a lubricant in the digestive tract, loosening stool so his constipation subsides within six to eight hours. However, if that doesn’t help, a visit to the vet might be in order.
DIY disposable litter box.
Heading out for a road trip with your cat but don’t want to splurge on disposable litter boxes? You can actually make your own using old cereal boxes. To do: Tape the open end of an empty cereal box shut with duct tape. Then, using a box cutter or scissors, cut out the entire back side of the box. Next, place a plastic shopping bag inside the open box and pull the edges over the sides of the box. Secure the bag in place with tape. Make a few boxes, and when needed, grab one, pour some litter inside and let your kitty do his business.
Make post-bath cleanup a breeze.
Washing all that spring rain-caused mud off of Fido in the bathtub leaves him looking dapper and smelling fresh, but what a mess it leaves in your tub! The easy way to clean it, no scrubbing needed? Once he is out, fill the tub with warm water and add 2 tablespoons of liquid fabric softener. Swish the water around, let soak overnight, then drain and rinse in the morning. Surfactants in the fabric softener loosen dirt and grime so they easily rinse away. Plus, the softener’s scent will rid the room of that wet dog smell!
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First for Women.
