10 surprisingly easy pet hacks to change the way you think about life

These simple hacks can save both time and money!

We all love our fuzzy, soft, rough, feathery, scaly, wet, interesting pets, but sometimes they can be high-maintenance. What are a few fast and easy ways to keep them happy without costing us our comfort, time and money?

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) -  You've heard of "life hacks," but here we have a list of pet hacks! We love our animals like they are family so it makes sense to take care of them to the best of our ability -but how can we give them the extra TLC without breaking the bank?

Let's start with a few general hacks all dog and cat owners should know.

1. Calming your pet during a storm

Sometimes the loud booms and the scraping of tree branches isn't what's really bothering your pet. If you notice your pet acting unusual, such as pacing, awkwardly walking around or staying away from water, it is probably due to static buildup in their fur.  Just wrap your pet in a dryer sheet -or rub them with it - and voilĂ ! No more static!

2. Storing Pet Food

To save space, transfer your pet's over-sized bag of kibble into smaller, easy-to-pour containers that can be stored anywhere. BONUS: It also keeps your pet's food nice and fresh!

3. Preventing sore paws

When the weather gets extremely hot or cold, your pet's paws can be subject to cracks and chaffing. To ease your outdoor pet's pads, simply apply a coat of Vaseline.

4.Help older pets eat

Sometimes older animals have tooth and mouth pain. Forget switching to the expensive canned stuff, just add water and microwave their kibble for twenty seconds. This softens their food and allows them to eat without pain.

5. Cure bad breath

Most animals eat, lick and chew things we really don't want to think about. So how can we help them freshen their breath without purchasing specialty mints or toothpastes? Parsley. Just add a small amount to their food once or twice a week and prepare yourself for odor-free play time!

WARNING: Too much parsley can hurt our furry friends, so please be sure to only give them a small amount, which can vary depending on the size of your animal, and refrain from giving parsley to pregnant animals or animals suffering kidney problems.

6. Keeping your pet cool

Regulating your pet's temperature can be difficult when the summer begins to really heat up. Many people believe shaving their pets will help, but it really hurts them. Their under coat is what keeps them so hot while their topcoat helps them regulate their temperature. 

Since specialty brushes can be over $50 each, try freezing safe fruits and veggies in ice cubes to give your fuzzy friend. This will not serve as a healthy and tasty treat that allows them to cool down.

Now that the six basics are down, let's move on to a few cleaning hacks!

7. Urine stains

Sometimes potty training takes a while, and unfortunately urine comes with a very strong odor. When your pet has an accident, just cover the mess with baking soda until all of the urine has been soaked up. Then simply vacuum the area. 

WARNING: Baking soda can be toxic to some animals, so please ensure they are not in the area as you clean.

8. Removing claw marks

Mixing 3/4 cup of oil with 1/4 cup of vinegar can remove unwanted scratch marks left on wooden furniture. Simply dip a rag into the mixture and wipe over the damage!

9. Removing fur from carpet

When a vacuum doesn't seem to get the job done, turn to a squeegee! The rubber portion grabs hold of fur like nothing else can!

10. How to keep your sick pet hydrated

When our babies don't feel so well, sometimes they don't want to drink water and can't keep food down, which can lead to dehydration, which in turn opens the door to a myriad of other problems. 

Help your pet stay hydrated by simply pouring a low sodium chicken broth into their food dish. The salt will help them retain water and the flavor will keep them coming back for more.

Like these hacks? Tell us in the comments below! Have any ideas to add? Please insert them below!

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