Vet Guide 2025: Clean Houses Are Possible—Even With Pets! 🏡🐾

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc 🩺

Shedding, tracked-in mud, scattered litter, water splashes—our furry friends may be adorable, but they sure know how to leave a mess! But don’t worry. With the right tools and consistent habits, you can absolutely maintain a clean, fresh-smelling home in 2025—even if you share it with pets 🐕🐈🧽.

🧼 First Rule: Clean It Immediately!

The faster you clean up a mess, the easier it is to remove and the less likely it is to create a repeat problem 💧. Urine or vomit that's allowed to soak in will not only stain—its smell may encourage repeat accidents.

💡 Pro Tip: Use enzymatic cleaners specifically made for pet messes to fully break down odor-causing proteins 🧪.

🐾 Set Up Your Home with Pets in Mind

🐶 Floor Choices

• ✔️ All-synthetic carpets resist odors and stains better than natural fibers
• ❌ Avoid deep-pile rugs—they're harder to clean and harbor fleas
• 🎨 Consider carpet patterns or colors that hide pet fur or dirt

🛋️ Furniture Fabrics

• ✔️ Top-grain leather, microfiber, or microsuede resist scratches and are easy to clean
• ❌ Avoid open-weave, textured fabrics, or wicker—they attract claws and trap hair

🧺 Pet Lounging Spots

Place a washable blanket, towel, or mat in your pet’s favorite resting place. It's easier to toss a cover in the wash than clean fur off the entire couch 🎯.

🐕 Dealing with Shedding

🧴 Brush More, Vacuum Less

Brushing daily removes loose hair before it ends up on your floors or furniture 🧹. It’s also a great bonding time and lets you check for lumps, bumps, and parasites early 🩺.

🧼 Vacuum Smarter

• 🌀 Choose a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap dander and allergens
• 🐶 Pet-specific vacuums are optimized for hair and have better suction
• 🧻 Follow up with electrostatic cloths or mops for non-carpeted floors

Pro Tip: Steam mops offer deep cleaning without harsh chemicals—safe for pets and great for sanitizing 🧼🌡️.

🌧️ Mud, Snow, & Paw Prints—Oh My!

🚪 Doorway Setup

Prevent muddy messes at the door with this two-mat system:

• 🧼 Outside mat: Rubber-backed and washable—great for scraping paws
• 🚪 Inside mat: Catches any remaining dirt or moisture

Train your dog to pause on the mat while you wipe paws using:

• 🧻 Microfiber mitt
• 🪣 Bowl of lukewarm water
• 🧴 Towel for drying

🪣 Daily & Weekly Cleaning Habits

📆 Daily

• 🧼 Wipe food and water bowls
• 🐾 Shake or replace pet bedding and blankets
• 💩 Scoop litter boxes and clean puppy pads
• 🧹 Spot-vacuum high-traffic areas

📆 Weekly

• 🧽 Deep clean litter boxes, crates, and pet dishes
• 🛋️ Lint-roll or vacuum furniture
• 🌫️ Dust with microfiber cloths

🧽 Helpful Tools for Pet-Friendly Cleaning

🚫 What to Avoid

• ❌ Ammonia-based cleaners—they smell like urine and can confuse pets
• ❌ Essential oil diffusers—some oils are toxic to pets
• ❌ Dryers for rubber-backed mats—air-dry instead to prevent cracking

🧹 Seasonal Deep-Clean Tips

• 🌼 Spring: Vacuum under furniture, replace air filters
• ☀️ Summer: Check pet doors for fur buildup
• 🍁 Fall: Deep-clean rugs, wash crate liners
• ❄️ Winter: Add extra mats to prevent snow tracking

📲 Ask A Vet for Cleaning-Safe Pet Products

Not sure if your cleaner is pet-safe? Ask before you spray! Get product recommendations and home safety tips from licensed veterinarians using the Ask A Vet app. Visit AskAVet.com to download today 📱🐾.

🔚 Final Thoughts

You don't have to choose between pets and a clean home. With proactive grooming, strategic furnishings, and the right cleaning tools, you can enjoy your furry companions without sacrificing a tidy living space. And remember, regular brushing and immediate cleanup is the secret to a fur-free fortress 🐕🧼. Work smarter, not harder—with expert guidance from vets like Dr Duncan Houston.