(lifehack.org) Pet parents know that their pup is worth every hair tumbleweed and chewed shoe that they must deal with to have the precious pooch in their lives. However, who wouldn’t want an even smoother interaction with man’s best friend? Below are 45 dog-care hacks to prove once and for all that owning a dog in this era of genius ideas and gadgets has never been easier.
1. Dog Crates to Improve Pet and People Sanity
Crates, when used correctly, can be an extremely important tool. They can help you with potty training, keeping your pup from chewing power cords and other dangerous things when you can’t watch them, and can give your dog a safe place to go to take a break from too much activity. Teach your young children to leave the dog alone if he retreats to his crate. Crates are also great to take with you to give your dog a point of reference if you travel, as they will feel safer in a car, plane, or hotel room if they already see the crate as their familiar den. It’s easy to train a dog to love his crate; especially if you feed him in it. Make it comfortable with soft bedding and keep it open in a quiet area of the house, so the dog can utilize it when needed.
2. DIY Pet Treats and Pill Pockets
There are plenty of DIY dog treat recipes out there for those who like to show their pooch a little lovin from the oven! But, if you have a pet that needs daily medication, and you don’t want to spend money on store-bought pill pockets, you can make your own with this simple pill-pocket recipe. Depending on the size of your pill, you can also use frozen blackberries or blueberries if you want to give your pet another healthy anti-oxidant-rich alternative. Just run the berry under water to thaw, and push the pill in! Remember, not all berries are good for your dog to eat!
3. Smart Pet Doors Let in Only Furry Family
Do you ever feel like a doorman for your pet? Have you thought about a pet door, but are worried that a ravaging racoon may wander in at night? Then get a pet door that only unlocks for your fur kid. These wondrous passageways are only unlocked by a signal from your pet’s collar. This way, your pooch has full access to your house and yard, and you have peace of mind knowing that no masked bandits are entering your home.
4. Use a Dremel for a Puppy Pedi
Trimming back your four-legged friend’s nails is an essential part of dog care. Some dogs hate the feeling of regular nail clippers, as they can put pressure on the nail quick and cause discomfort. With a bit of patience, you can train many dogs to accept a Dremel. The Dremel bit does not put pressure on the nail quick like regular dog clippers. Many dogs, once trained to accept the sound and feel of the Dremel, prefer it to regular clippers. Just remember to trim back longer hair that is around the paws so that it doesn’t get caught in the tool. Also, use the sanding drum and constantly put your finger on it to check it when it’s not moving to make sure it’s not building up too much heat, like in this instructional video. This toe tool can then help you create a spa day with your best friend, and easily sand your dog’s nails down for the perfect pedi.
5. Chicken and Rice Works Wonders for the Upset Puppy Tummy
Vets have recommended it for years. If your dog suffers from digestive troubles, and you’ve cleared him of the more serious health issues with your vet, you can help soothe his tummy with a base chicken and rice home-cooked meal.
6. DIY Pet Beds From Old Furniture
Ever wondered what to do with that old T.V. cabinet or vintage dresser? Well, wonder no more! Make it a trendy pad for your pooch with these great ideas!
7. Does Your Dog Wolf Down His Food?
8. Put an Extra Collar Around Your Leash Handle to Make It Hands-Free
9. Bitter Apple for Problem Chewers
If your dog is chewing you out of house and home, Bitter Apple is a safe alternative to deter your pet from taking that next bite. It tastes pretty potent to dogs, but it’s also perfectly safe for them to ingest – unlike your power cord.
10. Pet Evac Kit for Emergencies
No one wants to think about disasters, but it’s always good to have a plan in case they happen. It could save your dog’s life!
11. DIY Pet Shampoo
You can save money by making your own shampoo from common household items like Dawn, baking soda, and vinegar. Get the recipe here.
12. Baking Soda and Vinegar Remove Urine Smell
Soak up the urine with a paper towel, spray the stain with a mixture of half vinegar and half baking soda solution, and let it soak in for 10 minutes. Then, absorb the excess moisture with a paper towel, sprinkle the spot with baking soda, and let it dry. Just keep pets away, as baking soda is toxic to dogs. Once dry, vacuum it up. Remember, dogs will eliminate where they smell their previous markings, so it’s very important to deodorize as well as clean to prevent repeat accidents.
13. Know Dog CPR
Knowing dog CPR could save your pet’s life. Keep instructions in an easily-accessible place, in case you need to access them quickly.
14. Re-purpose Old Clothes into Pet Clothes
You can use sweater sleeves, socks, and tee shirts to create adorable outfits and trendy clothes for Fido.
15. Crib Mattress with Fitted Sheets for Pet Bed
Unlike regular pet beds, you can easily wash the sheets!
16. Freeze Attachable Water Bowls in Crate When Traveling So Your Pet Won’t Spill
If you fly with your dog in a crate under the plane, make sure to fill the attachable water bowl with water and put it in the freezer the night before your flight. Take it out right before you leave. The water will slowly melt, and not spill in transit. This way, the water won’t splash out during the hassle of getting on the plane and wet their bedding. Your pet will also have plenty to drink on the long flight, and the ice will keep them cooler in case the temperature is a bit warm on your travel day.
17. For Puppy-Kissable Breath
If you dog suffers from bad breath, but doesn’t enjoy the tooth-brushing experience, you can put dog toothpaste on a lint brush and have your dog lick it off. Much of the bacteria that causes that foul smell is on the tongue. Another trick is to add parsley to their food. It’s full of good vitamins and naturally eliminates stinky breath.
18. Everyone Loves Pool Time
You can create hours of entertainment for your pet, and also help them stay cool by buying a kiddy plastic pool. Just fill it with water and enjoy your puppy playtime show.
19. Turmeric Can Help with Pain And Other Ailments
Turmeric has shown, in recent studies, to help fight cancer, detoxify the body, reduce anti-inflammatory issues, and lower or even eliminate pain. All of the benefits seen in humans are also found to be true in our four-legged furry friends. However, Turmeric also is a blood thinner, and may react with medications. So always check with your vet before adding it to your pet’s diet. You can normally feed 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight.
20. Vaseline on Paws Protect Puppy Pads From Snow
Snow can scrape up sensitive paws. A little Vaseline on your pup’s pads before a snowball fight goes a long way to making sure the game stays fun for everyone.
¿Do you have pets? Tell me your comments .
Fuente: www.lifehack.org
