Who doesn’t love a good hack? Especially when it pertains to making life with your dog a little more streamlined. Sail through all the potentially sticky scenarios of pet parenthood with the following hacks sure to make life a little easier and snag-free. Trust us, these are bound to come in handy at some point.
Prevent that Walk of Shame to the Apple Store
Spritz some lemon and water on a paper towel and wipe your cords with the stuff—dogs hate the stuff and will avoid it like the plague. Problem solved!
A Little TLC for Those Paws
You already knew that vaseline can do wonders for your lips, but what about your dog’s tender pads? Swipe a bit on your dog’s paws before venturing into the heat of summer or cold of winter for a little extra protection from chapping. Vaseline also serves as a nice protective layer from the salt and harsh chemicals used to de-ice walkways in the winter.
Keep Those Toots at Bay
Stick a tennis ball in your chow hound’s food for a fool proof way to slow him down—the number one culprit when it comes to gas.
All Fur-Free
Put on a latex glove and run it under water for a formidable weapon in the war against fur. Just swipe over furniture, clothing, et cetera and voila!
Combat Dog Breath
Stick some parsley in your dog’s dinner for a quick and easy way to eliminate that less-than-pleasant aroma that sometimes emanates from your bud’s mouth after dinner. If your dog could talk, I’m sure he’d tell you when your breath was bad, too.
Sneaky Sneaky
Your dog doesn’t need to know about this one. For a sneaky way to get your dog to do the dirty work for you, rub some dog-friendly enzymatic toothpaste (never use human toothpaste) along a rope toy and BOOM—the job is done.
Can’t Bring Fido In?
Stick a carabiner on your leash for an effective way to anchor down your buddy while you do your thing at the store. But remember: You’re always taking a risk when you tie your dog outside. Be mindful of your errands and when you can, leave your dog at home where they’re most comfortable.
More Bang for Your Buck
Dilute your dog’s shampoo with water to make it easier to squirt and last longer.
Use a Diaper Bag
Cheaper and just as efficient, this hack is a bonus if you already have a baby. Who doesn’t love a two-fer?
Dryer Sheets Save the Day
Beyond the thunder and lightning, the charge of static in the air might be causing your dog undue stress come that time of year. Some dog lovers recommend running an unscented dryer sheet through your dog’s fur to discharge the static. Note: Some dryer sheets have chemicals. If your dog regularly licks their fur, this may not be a good hack for you. Read more about the risks and rewards of dryer sheets here.
Doggy Cereal for Sensitive Teeth
Let your dog’s dry food soak in a bit of water for 15 minutes or so to soften it up for senior dogs or puppies.
Top image via Flickr