🐕Smelly pets.🐈

Remember your dog's powerful olfactory sense.

Love your pets but, not so much their stink?

   Many pet owners struggle with their associated smells, inherent to keeping animals in the home.True enough! Seldom few people delight in the niff 'n' whiff that their pupper, kitty, horse, goldfish, alligator, that repugnant muck you shovel in their front hole, the resultant consequences (it's said), that emerge from the opposite (making itself known by way of stank alone, in the form of many steaming, squishy heaps) end, at the most inappropriate moments there are.

   Whether it's your lusty Tom inviting all the neighbourhood pussies to attend a pissing party, to redecorate your hallway; Or perhaps (as happened with our English Bull Terrier) one extremely muscular tummy has eaten a whole barrel of that which doesn't agree with them [woof!squirt!woof!squirt!woof]; in every instance, it's worth having a bucket, rubber gloves and spray to hand and you will want to hit that stinky-winky IMMEDIATELY. Leave it too long and you could find yourself chopping pieces out of the rug.

   But when trying to combat this issue, it's important to recognise that air fresheners, essential oils and just the methods you use to deal with the smell, might not be as nice for your pet as it is for you.

   Most air fresheners contain volatile organic compounds (VOC's), which are organic chemicals required for an air freshener to do what it does... dissipating into the air. VOC's have been know to cause:

🐾Eye, nose and throat irritation.

🐾Headaches, loss of coordination, lethargy and nausea.

🐾Damage to liver, kidneys and the CNS.

🐾Some can cause cancers in animals and some are suspected or known to cause cancers in humans.

Essential oils can feel torturous to your pet

  Essential oils are often preferred, with them regarded as being 'natural', and therefore safe for your family and you. Unfortunately, this is nothing more than a silly misconception. I mean.. think about it!! Just what kind of logic is that? Here are a selection of some more All Natural things.. let's play   

      lethal?       or      love-it?

1. Arsenic              Lethal  🔲     Love-it 🔲
2. Belladonna        Lethal  🔲     Love-it 🔲
3. Coriander          Lethal  🔲     Love-it 🔲
4. Shark attacks   Lethal  🔲     Love-it 🔲
5. Thin ice             Lethal  🔲     Love-it 🔲
6. Apricots            Lethal  🔲     Love-it 🔲

    They're also defined as volatile and cats, dogs and birds can all be very sensitive to the dangers of certain oils. The particles are airborne, so get inside their nose and airways, in the ears, eyes and stomach. All the above listed concerns are valid with essential oils too and skin irritations are a common reaction. Scented candles, incense and atomisers are equally as problematic. In fact, essential oils are associated with neurological problems like agitation, weakness, unsteadiness and tremors.

   Carpet fresheners and products designed to freshen up soft furnishings are well known for causing terrible skin irritations, bald patches and worse.

   It might be tempting to regularly bathe them, but our pets skin emits natural oils that are vital for helping them stay warm and to prevent water from penetrating to the deepest layers of the coat. So unless there's a seriously valid reason to do so (such as having fox poo or other excrement on them), it's preferable to avoid soaps/shampoos and use water alone. Breeds that are known for hunting have a tendency to roll in strong smelling substances they come across on their travels. This is to mask their own scent when hunting and is instinctive behaviour. It's also worth considering a bucket or even a hose pipe outside. This might sound harsh, but a shower tray or bath is slippy for an animal that stands on its toes and bathrooms echo. Not to mention, there's no apparent escape, so it's unsurprising that they're going to panic. At least outside, they can shake at will (without soaking you and your bathroom) and can escape immediately once the ordeal is over. Even during the winter months, with their fur coat and the help of those oils that keep them warm and dry, unlike us, a quick wash outside won't do any harm and will cause less stress than a terrifying bathroom trauma. Our pets scent is massively important to them. It's how other animals identify them and similar to how vital our names are to us. Imagine losing your name for a week and nobody could recognise you.

It's advised you avoid bathing more than once a month, if possible. It depends on the reason for bathing, your pets conscientiousness when it comes to self grooming and the weather. Only use products made for animals. Don't fall for the myth of baby shampoo being ok because it's mild. Newsflash!! It's actually not at all.

Try a different way of managing the shared airspace.

   Un-neutered animals may smell unappealing, but it's really unfair to make them suffer when considering the number of pets needing homes, the responsible owner neuters their pets. It's an important health matter and prevents a womb literally rotting inside females, or erratic and aggressive behaviour (including violent fighting) in males. A common problem experienced by cat owners is "spraying" either by a Tom they own or an intruding rival. It's definitely a smell that you don't want to live with, but the solution is adequate cleaning. This isn't one that can just be "spritzed" over.

P.D.S.A. why it's important to neuter your pets

   The thing that's really important to note when thinking about using a scented product of any kind in a home you share with a pet, is how potent they are for us. When we consider the super heightened sense of smell our animal friends enjoy, the smell alone can be so overwhelming that it will be unbearable for them. 

   It really is best to just open the window whenever possible as the first and best option.

Open some windows to let the outdoors in

   If you do still feel you want to use a product to sweeten the air in the home (afterall, that yummy food you fed them often smells less yummy as flatulence strikes), it's best to check with your vet first, to ensure it's a suitable option for you both. Certain breeds especially can be highly strung and are known for some eye-watering bottom burps!! Charcoal biscuits are cheap and widely available at supermarkets and pet food suppliers. It's long been the "go-to" for setting a dicky tummy.

   A common complaint is the "wet dog" smell. Refraining from unnecessarily stripping away those natural oils in the coat, which help repel water when they do that whole body shake manoeuvre, will minimise the duration of this smell. 

   Vets warn that negative effects may immediately be apparent, or within a few hours/days of use. They might withdraw from the area or cower. Other signals of potential issues are coughing, sneezing, discharge coming from the eyes/nose, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or a loss of appetite.

   Cats have an increase in feline asthma where air fresheners, cigarette smoke or just the aroma of cleaning products are present.

   The litter box should be the obvious target of  your attentions.. Changing the product you use for absorption and your routine for cleaning it, can both make a big difference.

   The residues from these airborne scents can build up in carpets and soft furnishings, so you might want to do a steam clean for a fresh start. People who have used these products for a longer period of time often become used to it over time and may be unable to realistically assess the strength of the product, in which case it's advised to ask a third party to step in. Beware of greenwashing. A label declaring a product as being "all natural" or "green" is a marketing tactic with no legal or regulatory status, so check beyond the description. 

Alternative solutions to try.

   Remember that most people actually prefer "unscented" homes. It's fine for your house to smell like... well, maybe a home, rather than a bunch of orchids, a summertime downpour or a tropical rainforest.

   Some safe alternatives that are easy and cheap to try, are small jars/pots containing bicarbonate of soda (Baking soda). Try using a skewer or corkscrew to make holes in the lid before screwing it on firmly.You can use this method inside cupboards, wardrobes and even in the fridge.

   Cleaning thoroughly should always be your go-to activity. If you share your home with animals, you're probably already quite familiar with scrubbing patches of damp and stinky carpet. Feed bowls, bedding, toys, litter trays, soft furnishings and any areas of wall that might be subject to spraying or rubbing of the coat, are all crucial areas to focus your regular cleaning routine upon. 

   Keep an eye open for abandoned treats & stray morsels of pet food that may have been forgotten somewhere, soon rotting in the warmth indoors. When a dog is full, it's generally against their nature to reject additional offerings. Off they trot, mooching about, seeking a worthy location for burying this irresistible prize. 

  Ingredients like apple cider, spices and dried fruits are simmered gently on the stove in simmer pots. They're a far kinder alternative to proprietary products, found on the supermarket shelf.

   Another useful tool in your quest for fresh air is found in house plants. But there are a number of common plants that can be toxic for our furry friends, so it's important to check which are ok and which are nokay.

Air purifying plants that are safe for your pets

🗣️Please leave a comment. I read every one and will reply if requested to do so.