If you share your home with a pet, it’s probably impractical to ban them from the kitchen completely. In fact many pet owners find that the most suitable place to keep their pet’s food dishes and sleeping basket is in the kitchen. But of course, pets aren’t famous for their impeccable table manners so how can you ensure that your pet and the health of your kitchen can exist in harmony?
Here are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that having a pet in the kitchen doesn’t have to be unhygienic.
Keep food out of reach
Even if your pet can’t see food, if they can smell it they will try to get to it so always keep food in a sealed container. If you have a particularly clever pet that has worked out how to open the fridge or cupboards, you might want to invest in safety catches to stop them helping themselves to food whilst you are out.
Don’t allow pets onto counter tops
You may think that your cat keeps herself clean but grubby paws can harbour all sorts of bugs and germs so never allow your cat to walk on your counter tops. If you find it impossible to keep your cat off the surfaces, keep a disinfectant spray close to hand and use before preparing food.
Keep bins well sealed
If your dog has a tendency to rummage through your rubbish looking for a snack, you may need to invest in a sturdy bin that he cannot get into – or alternatively keep your bin outside. If you’ve been cooking something particularly tempting such as chicken, it’s a good idea to put the waste straight into the outdoor bin to keep enticing smells at bay.
Don’t feed pets at the dinner table
It can be confusing for pets if you sometimes tell them off for trying to steal food but then give them treats at other times. It’s therefore best to never feed them at the dinner table so that they learn that the only place they are allowed to eat is at their own food bowl.
Keep your pet’s food area clean
When the weather is warm, pet food bowls can be a magnet for flies so try to encourage your pet to eat all of their food when it is served, rather than snacking throughout the day. If your pet is a messy eater, try popping their food bowls onto a wipe clean placemat to help keep things tidier.
Muddy paws
Whether your dog has been for a walk, or your cat has been playing in the garden, muddy paws on the kitchen floor can be a big problem. You can help by putting a large mat by the door which the pet can walk over to remove the worst of the dirt – however, the only way to ensure clean floors is to mop regularly.
For more information about pet hygiene, visit: www.pdsa.org.uk
