Pets are an essential part of our families, but they can also leave behind messes and odors that are difficult to clean. While traditional household cleaners are often effective in removing dirt and odors, they can also be harmful to our pets and the environment. Fortunately, there are many natural cleaners that are safe to use around pets and the planet.
Here are a few natural cleaners that are pet-friendly and effective for household cleaning tasks:
- White Vinegar: This all-purpose cleaner is safe for pets and can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks, including removing pet stains, cleaning windows, and sanitizing surfaces. Simply mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and you're ready to go! If you want to be adventurous, soak some lemon or orange peels in the mix for several days before straining and using!
- Baking Soda: This kitchen staple is a great natural cleaner for removing pet odors from carpets, furniture, and litter boxes. Simply sprinkle baking soda on the affected area, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, and then vacuum it up.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is a natural deodorizer that can help remove pet odors from carpets, furniture, and other surfaces. Simply mix lemon juice with water in a spray bottle and spritz on the affected area.
- Essential Oils: Certain essential oils, such as lemon and eucalyptus, can be used to clean and deodorize your home. Simply add a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water and use as a natural air freshener or surface cleaner. In the same way you add lemon juice to water to spray as a deodorize, you can substitute a drop or two of lemon essential oil or purification essential oil. BONUS: it makes a great bathroom deodorizer for those icky bathroom smells.
One of my favorite all natural cleaners that we use in our home is Thieves Household Cleaner. It contains Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, Clove, Rosemary and Lemon essential oils and smells heavenly. Just a capful into a 16oz spray bottle of water and I have enough 
to clean my entire house multiple times - including the ultimate pet messes that come up on the floor, rug, or sofa.
to clean my entire house multiple times - including the ultimate pet messes that come up on the floor, rug, or sofa.By using natural cleaners, you can keep your home clean and fresh while also protecting your pets and the environment. Give these natural cleaners a try and see how well they work for you!
Every 6 or 7 months we either Fall back or Spring ahead to extend the time that we have daylight hours. Does this time change affect your pets? In a simple word - yes! But it is more complicated than just a simple yes.
Your pets have a circadian rhythm just like people do. And so like people, when we have an hours change in our sleep schedule it affects us and them too. They don't care if our clock says 5:00 am or 6:00 am - they just notice the change in their daily routine. Dogs are creatures of light just like their humans and your animal 's behavioral patterns are deeply tuned to the rhythms of night and day. Have you noticed that most dogs wake up at daylight and want to go out? Or that they are ready for bed when the sun goes down? Just like us, they are creatures of habit and have very predictable patterns, which also explains how they can pick up on our patterns of behavior so fast as well.
Daylight savings time and it's change back to Standard Time can make for some grumpy and testy canine companions. But there is hope and ways to help your lovable pooch adjust easier to this dreaded time change.
1. You as the human, can incrementally begin to to change your routine by say 15 minutes day for a couple weeks Schedule in an little extra devotional time, or some extra morning stretching while your little furry family member waits for his/her walk. Another idea is to start going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night so that after DST begins you furry baby will already feel likes it's 6pm. These tips and tricks also work on two legged kiddos.... avoid the struggle and fight of trying to get them to sleep before they feel it's time - by adjusting 15 minutes each day for about 2 weeks.
2. Along with bedtime or wake in times, you should also gradually adjust meal times so their bodies will have a smoother transition to the new time of feeding schedule. In the Fall you would merely feed 15 minutes later each day to avoid them having to suffer the full 60 minute change on the day of time change. The same works for Spring by just feeding them a little earlier each day - especially if you have a dog that is on some kind of medication schedule that requires food be given at regular time intervals (like diabetes or epilepsy like I do).
3. The one thing that is hard to manage, especially in fall, is your arrival home from work. Since many times it will mean it is dark before or around the time you get home, your pup can get anxious wondering if you will ever come home. One way around this is to maybe run an errand or two on the way home. Filling up your car on the way home, stopping at the grocery store for 1 or 2 items, or even stopping in a parking lot to make a phone call or text can extend the time before you get home, giving your little pup a chance to get used to the new schedule. Then in Spring they will see you sooner than they are trained to, and will think they've hit the lottery when you come home to them "early".
4. Using essential oils can also help to alleviate their anxiety and stress over the change in schedules. Using your diffuser with some simple calming oils can certainly help aid in the transition. Remember to never leave any animal locked in a room with a diffuser going without some way out. This allows them to leave when they feel comfortable enough - or to remove themselves from the oil if they do not care for it. Some oils to try would be Peace and calming, Lavender, Stress Away - each for helping transition through difficult times. Another one to try would be Cedarwood which helps to create a warm and comforting atmosphere - but just make sure to be there during part of the time the oil is being diffused so you can take note of how your pup is reacting and you can adjust as needed.With these few simple tricks and tips both you and your furry family member can transition easier between Daylight Savings time and Standard Time this year.
To read more about how you can help yourself and your human family members ease the effects of time change as well, this article will help. https://scentsofvalor.com/blog/49203/does-time-change-really-affect-us-and-our-bodies-
Blessings
Cheryl Jones
c.and.e@att.net
Do you worry about your pets health more than your own at times? I know I do.
I wanted to share a quick tip to help you keep your dog or cat free of outside flying pests when you take them for a walk. It's Young Living's Insect Repellant Wipes! I take one and do a quick wipe down of their head and body before going outside, and that way insects pretty much have a "Stay Away" warning when they come flying around.
After wiping them down, i do a quick wipe down of any of my exposed arms/legs to protect myself also. This has been a real game changer. If you know anything about S. Florida, it's hot and humid in the summer time. And we get rain - lots of rain. With that rain comes mosquitos, and those nasty critters bring diseases. What could be better than to use a non-toxic and all natural insect repellant to keep them at bay for you and your pets? #winwin
HAVE YOU READ THE LABEL ON THE BACK OF A COMMERCIAL CLEANER?
Warning! Flammable! Do not ingest! Keep out of reach of children! Many chemicals used in household cleaners have not been tested for safety. Household cleaning supplies are one of the top five substance classes accounting for calls to the National Poison Control Center. Many commercial cleaners contain ingredients that are endocrine disrupting chemicals, carcinogens, or neurotoxins. Kids, babies, and pets are even more vulnerable to chemical exposure because they are smaller and cannot get rid of toxins as easily as adults. It is definitely worth ditching harsh chemicals for a cleaner with plant- and mineral-based ingredients.
DID YOU KNOW THAT INDOOR AIR IS 57 TIMES MORE POLLUTED THAN OUTDOOR AIR?
Most cleaning products contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which have been associated with many health problems, including damage to the liver, kidneys, and the central nervous system. They have also been shown to harm our lungs and cause throat irritations and headaches. VOCs are released when products are used and can linger in the air long after we clean. When we breathe, we inhale the air as well as whatever is in the air.
Harsh chemicals found in cleaners are not only harmful to our bodies, but they also have a major impact on the environment and are huge contributors to environmental pollution. Some conventional cleaning products contain ingredients that are toxic, non-biodegradable, and from non-renewable resources like petroleum, so they harm the Earth's ecosystems. Harsh chemicals may contaminate the water through rivers, streams, and lakes, which affects wildlife, plants, trees, and us! Plus, there are thousands of chemicals that are in cleaning products that have never been tested for safety.
This is why THIEVES HOUSEHOLD CLEANER is such a blessing in our home. Non toxic, harsh chemical free and it cleans e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! Check these items off your list when you buy THHC.... Glass, granite, porcelain, ceramic, tile, wood, painted surfaces, laminate, stainless steel, marble, carpet, rugs, leather, fabric sofa cushions, grout, and so much more...... One cleaner for your whole home! No more buying multiple different cleaners to congregate under your cabinets in the bathroom or kitchen. And it's wallet friendly too! One bottle of concentrated THHC wills make up about 22 bottles of spray cleaner - costing about $1.25 a bottle for non-toxic cleaner!
Another DiGize success story: Dakota, my 4 year old beagle mix, was having stomach issues this morning at 6 am. I woke up to him barfing up some bile. Not the most pleasant way to wake up, believe me. Any way, after cleaning that up, he laid down and just kept licking and slurping the way you do when you feel like something is still unsettled in your tummy. I wasn't able to put my hands on the Animal scents Paragize because it was in the other room - so DiGize to the rescue! I applied a couple drops neat on his tummy and in 3 minutes he was sound asleep snoring with no more tummy troubles!!!!!
