Best Life Hacks: Pet Edition
Best Life Hacks: Pet Edition
By: Emily Griffith
We all have that one friend who functions as the MacGyver of your circle. You call this person for substitutes when you run out of milk in recipes. You text them to help with kids’ science fair projects. They just know everything! Thanks to the emerging geniuses who have furry friends, we have found some truly incredible and thrifty pet-based lifehacks! Whether you are remodeling your home and wish to add a pet space under your stairs or you just want a quick and simple toy, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some of our favorites from the brilliant pet parents of the internet:
1.)DIY Treat Dispenser
If you have a high-energy pup like I do, you will relate to your animal being extremely playful and in need of mental stimulation as well. I love DIY treat balls from a tennis ball, because they provide a certain level of physical activity coupled with some mental exercise as well. The steps are very simple. Take a regular tennis ball from any local sporting goods store and carefully make an incision with a knife or scissors. Be sure to clear any loose or hanging rubber from the inside before inserting any treats. To insert the treats, simply squeeze the ball, forcing the incision to flex open and outward. Drop the treats inside, preferably something with a decently sturdy texture, and then its playtime! For an even more effective way to tire out your pet, sit uphill and roll the ball down a gentle grade. Be sure you know if your breed has any health issues, such as hip dysplasia, before doing so to prevent injury. Remember, a good dog is a tired dog!
2.)DIY Pet Home/Nightstand
Sometimes the crates and other homes we give our pets can be well, unsightly or just imply clutter the room. Solution: Take a piece of furniture, say a nightstand or small dresser, and remove the bottom drawers to allow plenty of headroom for your pet. Try to keep a top drawer so that it can still function as your furniture while still being your pet’s own special space. Place a pillow and all your pet’s favorite toys there and you have yourself a stylish pet house that is also stylish for your human home!
3.)Food Safety Hack
Most pets have a healthy eating rhythm, but for others, food can be a stressful event. Some pets get so worked up, especially dogs, when food or dinner time is near and they end up choking on food from eating too quickly. This is such a task if you own a pet who is prone to inhaling their food, but not anymore! Place a tennis ball in the bowl and allow it to cover the food. Now your pet must pause and nudge or move the ball in order to access the food below it. This is just enough of a delay that it may help reduce the risk of choking due to excitable eating.
4.)DIY Dog Dentist Hack
Okay, before anyone jumps to conclusions, you can NOT be a pet dentist for any reason, unless that reason is a license! But, a quick tip to fix bad breath: Parsley. Sprinle some fresh parsley over the food as it has properties that help to rid of bacteria that causes bad odor. Most pets enjoy the taste and it is good for them, so give it a try. I advise that you first consult with a veterinarian to ensure there are no sinister underlying health causes that would require treatment from a licensed professional.
5.)Pet Hair Cleaning Hack
We know how much you love them, but we could ALL live without the excessive amounts of pet hair. Your animal, just like you and your hair, sheds and often that shedding attaches to our couches, in our cars, and all over our clothes of course. When it comes time to clean around the house and car, grab a standard garden glove, like the yellow ones your grandma waters her roses with. That magical rubber glove is perfect for gathering every last hair into a vacuum-ready pile. I personally use this hack specifically for when cleaning my car. Think about all of those narrow crevices, in between your seat and center console, the part where the window meets the back headrests. Take your hand an grab and lift away the dirt and hair, keeping your vacuum on hand to eliminate whatever loosens up.
6.)Now That IS Progressive
Many people who have pets have probably never thought about how to cover them in terms of insurance on your vehicle. First, call your insurance company and ask if pets are covered in automobile accidents, especially if you have a family-based policy. Progressive insurance definitely offers coverage for pets in car accidents, offering to even cover veterinary expenses from the incident. Be sure to contact yours today and see where you stand. In the event that your company doesn’t offer such a plan and you don’t want to switch, look for an emergency credit card, just for vet bills or perhaps with perks pertaining to such. Care Credit is rumored to be perfect for just this because they do not charge interest for the first year on veterinary expenses.
7.)Travel & Lodging Hack
If you are like me, you either take your pets on vacation or you don’t take a vacation! Luckily, I have two fantastic hacks for this one. First and foremost, if you are reading this, you know who we are. But if you are new, remember to call Gwinnett Pet Watchers to meet your pet care and sitting needs. We do a wide array of visit types, from drop ins an 15 minutes all the way to moving into your home for the duration of your trip so that your pets are in their own home and never alone with plenty of love. Second to this, certain hotels and other lodging options offer up the chance to bring your pet along on vacation. The LaQuinta allows you to bring your pet, no charge, however this is not the commonality in regards to fees for pets. While they still ask for a deposit, I’ve used Atwood Vacation rentals in South Carolina for places near Edisto and Charleston. We were able to keep our loud barker, but otherwise a good dog by our sides during our trip. For that convenience, the fees will always be worth paying in my opinion.
Like what you are reading? Great! There are more pet hacks, helpful articles, and food and travel tips to come! Stay tuned and thank you for reading.