Have a clean smelling home for the holidays -- even if you have pets

Why yes, that's Kyrie in the photo accompanying this week's lead story for the Pet Connection syndicated feature. In fact, that's my hand, my sofa, my living room, and my steam cleaner, too. The story? How to make sure your home passes the smell test this holiday season:

Your home is spotless, and the inviting aromas of a holiday meal fill the air. But as you open the door to your guests, their twitching noses suggest they smell something you didn't.



"I see you still have that cat," your older sister says disapprovingly. Her nose twitches again. "And the dog, too."



But pet odors aren't irresolvable. Eliminating them can be challenging, but following a few simple tips from the experts can leave your house smelling fresh and clean this holiday season.

Also in the holiday spirit, Gina talks about cats and Christmas trees:

Cats love to follow motion, pouncing on toys as if they were prey. When stringy substances are eaten, however, they can bind up in a cat's intestines and often must be surgically removed. Strings that are electrified, such as power cords and lights, offer even more hazards.



If you can't keep your cat away from the tree -- by keeping him out of the room when you're not around, for example -- then I'm afraid the danglies can't be part of your holiday decor.

Susan Tripp, MS, and Rolan Tripp, DVM share some ideas on how to use food to train your dog without making him gain weight, Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon talk about a hero dog and the worldwide jellyfish population explosion, courtesy of global warming.



Plus: keeping pets safe from coyotes, how to pick a great veterinarian, and pet grooming tools by the numbers. All this and more, in our Pet Connection newspaper feature, which you can read on the Universal Press Syndicate Web site.



(Pictured: Kyrie at home, by Pet Connection Director of Photography Morgan Ong)



Update: The DeLonghi Steamit in the picture is no longer being made. Wish I'd bought one when I checked the price a couple months ago. Christie's checking out some comparable steamers to suggest for anyone interested, and she'll check in after the holiday.

Comments

[redstarcafe]

Thank you for that, Christie! I have so been looking forward to this article since it was announced. I've bookmarked it.



My plan for this holiday season is to visit others, and only allow a select, trusted few who are in-the-know to my pack's place. Very labour-saving!

[Marjorie]

I, too, have been explaining some of the basic tenets of a clean "pet house" for years.



For me, it basically boils down to clean pets and a clean house. (I am, admittedly, a bit of a clean fanatic.) Thankfully, I'm often complimented on how nice my home smells. My dog receives similar compliments, since I bathe her once a week with a shampoo I adore. (I had a neighbour who brought her houseguests to pet my dog, if she saw us outside. She'd tell them to pet my dog, then command them to, "Smell your hands! Smell your hands!" Invariably they'd remark, "That does smell good." Although, a clean dog doesn't really "smell" at all, actually.



Anyway, the main reason I came to the comment box was to ask where I could find more images of Kyrie. She's a lovely girl, that's for sure! :-)