Any dog owner will tell you, living with a dog is delightful. But sometimes, it can be quite challenging.
Dogs require a lot of attention, physical exercise, and mental stimulation. It is not easy to keep up with them.
These life hacks for dog owners will make your pet happy. Smart ideas, easy solutions, tricks, tips, and more to keep your best friend entertained for life.
Every dog owner should use some of these life hacks to save money, time, and energy.
Homemade chicken jerky
Dogs love jerky, especially chicken. It is one of their favorite treats. However, the problem with store-bought chicken jerky is that they contain chemicals and preservatives.
Not only the jerky is expensive, but it also might not be the healthiest thing for your dog.
The solution?
Prepare homemade chicken jerky. Simply marinate chicken breasts in peanut butter and soy sauce. Bake in the oven and you have delicious, healthy, and affordable homemade chicken jerky. Isn’t that great?
DIY pill pockets
Pill pockets are great when your pet hates taking bitter medications. We know dogs hate taking medications.
They simply cannot stand the smell. One sniff and they turn their head. Well, you can make pill pockets to save money, but also ensure your dog gets his medications.
Hide the pills in penne pasta, and then wrap them inside a sausage. Another option is to create a peanut butter ball by mixing milk, flour, and peanut butter, and putting the medications inside.
DIY food stuffed tennis ball
Chew toys are perfect for dogs. They relieve boredom, and if you fill them with treats, they also keep your dog satiated. Keep your dog busy and anxiety-free with this simple stuffed toy.
Get some old tennis balls, or buy new ones if you like. Carefully cut 1 to 1-1/2 inch hole into the ball. Fill the ball with treats your dog loves like peanut butter, cheese, or some meat. Give the ball to your dog, and enjoy a few minutes of relaxation while he chews.
Homemade shampoo
Shampooing is important to keep your dog smelling fresh. But also to protect him from bugs, fleas, ticks, and other insects. Regular dog shampoos might be expensive, and they come with a few chemicals.
One of the simplest and most effective homemade dog shampoos is with vinegar. Combine liquid dish soap and vinegar with some water, and make a solution that you can use to bathe your dog.
Use 1:2 ratio of vinegar and water. Work the shampoo into your dog’s fur, massage it for a few minutes, and let then let it soak for 10 minutes. Rinse with water.
Homemade scratching post
Some dogs love to scratch their back against furniture. While that is great, it can leave behind an unpleasant odor at your furniture.
A simple solution is to make a homemade scratching post for your dog. Glue sandpapers of varying coarseness on a plank of wood. Place it near your dog’s house, and train him to use it.
Summer popsicles
The summer can be extremely hard on your dog. Due to his fur, the heat is that much more taxing on him. During the summer, dogs need quite the refreshment. You can prepare some ice cream popsicles to help him refresh.
Blend watermelon, and then mix with coconut milk in 1:1 ratio. Mix in a food processor, and then pour into an ice tray. Freeze to make deliciously cool frozen treats for your dog.
Ice cream meal
Popsicles are great, but they are more of a treat than a meal. You can also make a frozen meal for your dog. Boil some chicken broth and chicken breasts.
Let it cool down, and then add some kibble to the mix. You can also add carrots to the mix. Pour it into ice tray molds. Add a popsicle stick. Freeze, and give to your dog whenever you want.
No nibble spray
If you are tired of your pet’s nibbling habit, we have a solution for you. Yes, commercial anti-nibble sprays are always an option. But they are quite expensive.
For your homemade spray, just mix four cups of apple cider vinegar an two cups of white vinegar. Spray your dog’s nibbling spots, and the bitter taste will deter your dog from nibbling.
Hair-free carpet solution
Get a squeegee and remove dog hair from the carpet. Vacuum afterward. The squeegee will keep the hair from clogging the vacuum’s rollers. You can also use in your car.
Couch dog-hair grabber
Dogs leave hair everywhere. For the upholstery, wet a rubber or latex glove, and use it to pick the dog hair. You want a clean home, right?
DIY flea and tick remover
When your dog gets ticks, you do not have to go to the vet to remove them. The trick is to dab them with a swab soaked in liquid dash soap. It will make it easier to remove.
For fleas, mix one part of Dawn and vinegar and four parts of warm water. Massage to solution into your dog’s fur, and let your dog sit in it for five minutes. Fleas float to the top of the water and die.
Mouth freshener
Dogs can have bad breath every now and then. Mouth fresheners from the pet store can be expensive, and usually, they do not last for long.
One option for a natural mouth freshener is parsley. Bake parsley bites at home using fresh mint, parsley leaves, coconut oil, ghee, and activated charcoal.
Not only it is great for refreshing your dog’s breath and mouth, but the treat is also high in nutritional value.
Toothbrush
There are a lot of dental and chewable toys for dogs to clean their teeth. But every now and then, you have to use a toothbrush and clean your dog’s teeth.
Some dogs do not love teeth brushing. Who can blame them? Instead, you can spread doggie toothpaste on their favorite bone or chew ropes, and let your dog play with it.
DIY stuffed toy
Does your dog love stuffed toys? Does he tear them apart? It can get quite expensive to buy new stuffed toys now and then.
Instead, you can stuff fabrics inside a Hole-ee roller ball. Hide a treat inside. Your pet will love it. This toy can be used for mental stimulation and to relieve boredom.
No fear during storms
A lot of dogs freak out during thunderstorms. What you do not understand is that the problem might be a negative reaction to the static buildup in its fur.
Try to rub it down with a dryer sheet. See if that helps.
Homemade deodorizer
When you live with a dog at home, it is natural to have some doggy odor. Dogs leave an odor behind them. The good news is you can get rid of the doggie smell with some natural deodorizers.
Mix vinegar with essential oils, and sprinkle on the dog bed, dog toys, carpets, and furniture to remove the unpleasant smell.
For urine stains, mix 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 2 teaspoons of mild liquid dish soap. Sprinkle the area with baking soda, allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then scrub the baking soda using the liquid. Let it dry, and then vacuum.