Managing a Happy and Healthy Multi-Dog Household
This post contains tried and true essential items that have promoted a happy and healthy multi-dog household for our family. Items mentioned due to their effectiveness and benefit to our household. Thanks for reading!
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Managing a multi-dog household is a lot of work.
Having a multi-dog household, in addition to having multiple kids.. is a next-level type of hectic.
We have four dogs, including three rescue pups that required time ample for transitioning, training, and lots of patience. We also have a beloved elderly pup member of our family that requires special love and attention.
Over the years, I’ve learned time and again how our fur family members can take a toll on the home in terms of wear and tear, odors, shedding fur, the occasional dribble or drool, and accidents.
The list goes on…
Our family knew that taking on multiple dogs would be a lot of work but we have learned the ins and outs of what works and what doesn’t.
Here are the top essentials we found that help us manage a multi-dog household:
1) Designated Dog Space
Having a designated space just for your dogs is essential to having order with multiple pets in the home. Providing dogs with an area they can access regularly helps to establish boundaries during the daytime and at night when it’s time to wind down.
Our pets have a special area in our home with dog beds they can retreat to and rest throughout the day. There is also another area with dog crates for when we’re away.
A designated dog space helps establish trust and security for your pet because your dog will in time, realize it is a safe space which can help reduce stress and anxiety for your pet.
2) Odor Management
Air Purifiers
Clean air is essential. I can’t say this enough. If you have someone in the home sensitive to pet dander, pet odors, or any of the other myriad particles that air purifiers can filter, having a good air purifier is a game changer.
I tend to be more sensitive to the environment, so it’s it’s noticeable if our air purifier is not running.
We have multiple Alen Air purifiers in our home, and take comfort in the fact that Alen Air purifiers capture 99.9% of air bourne particiles. They have a HEPA 13 filter that targets odors, allergens, dust, and mold. Alen Air also has an offer of a Lifetime guarantee if the purifier requires a replacement.
Blue Air is also a great option as they also capture 99.97% of airborne particles, as small as 0.1 microns, like dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander. Blue air also has recycle filters which is significant if seeking a more sustainable option.
Odor Eliminators
Odor absorbers are helpful when there is an area of your home that needs a bit of freshening up. We typically have one in pet hangout areas. This way the area always stays fresh for us and our guests between grooming appointments.
Fresh Wave odor-removing gel uses natural plant oils and is free from parabens, synthetic fragrances, and phthalates for increased safety. I find that it’s easy to place a small tub or two in areas that need a bit of freshening up or regular odor absorption. Because the gel substance dissolves it’s relatively easy to wipe out the container and reuse or recycle once empty.
Carbon Odor Absorbers are another great option if you seek unscented odor management. Activated carbon is known for its ability to trap and neutralize unpleasant odors while being non-toxic and eco-friendly. They are great for those recurring odors and do well in basements and areas frequented by pets.
3) Robot Vacuums
I honestly did not think that we needed a robot vacuum since we have mostly wood flooring. Well, after taking on multiple dogs and having to manage the endless amount of fur and leaves and the general muck they track in, had me looking for a solution!
For our family, the robot vacuum helps keep the floors clean regularly and I love how it takes the burden of constantly having to look out for fur.
Tip: Keep in mind that for maximal performance, robot vacuums do require regular upkeep and replacement parts.
4) Washable rugs
Being a pet owner can be unpredictable. You never really know what they might bring in, but you can guarantee that at some point, they will bring in substances that will affect the cleanliness of your home, especially the floors.
We have been through multiple rugs since having dogs because they were not washable. There’s no turning back, and while washable rugs might appear to be the more expensive option, there is the benefit of not having to replace them as frequently if you have pets and frequent traffic.
Here are some options that offer variety and versatility while also sustainable and eco-friendly.
5) Pet-friendly Furniture
One of the ways I help combat the added dirt and odors is a washable furniture cover. Furniture covers are beneficial when managing the upkeep of your home by keeping your furniture clean and fresh when washed regularly or when stains occur. The Molly Mutt brand is Climate Neutral Certified in that they use sustainable and recycled materials.
Joybird is a company that offers more sustainable furniture that is Greenguard Gold certified. Many of the fabrics contain fibers woven from recycled water bottles while also being pet and kid-friendly. They also have the option to have slipcovered sofas making this option even better for easy cleaning.
6) Eco-Friendly Cleaning Supplies- Amazon
When searching for the best cleaning supplies, I always seek out more sustainable and non-toxic options. The cleaning supplies listed below are more eco-friendly options to help keep your home clean without adding concerning ingredients while helping manage waste.
Compostable Original poop bags are a great option for cleaning up dog messes with the added promise of reducing environmental impact and being non-toxic. Each purchase also supports the company’s donation efforts to fund animal rescue operations.
Full Circle is a sustainable, Certified B Corp brand that makes cleaning supplies out of 100% recycled fishing nets with the mission of keeping the ocean clean. They have made every effort to continue to be Net Zero in their plastic usage since 2020. They brand has a variety of options for all of your cleaning needs. You can find their full product line here.
Oxyfresh Pet Care is an awesome brand that creates clean essentials for your pet. They only offer non-toxic, fragrance-free products which are also USA-made and Leaping Bunny Certified. I have listed their crate cleaner and stain and odor remover here but they also have an entire line of pet care including dental care.
7) Dog Feeding Essentials- Amazon
What you feed your dog is probably the most important topic on this list. Their food is essential to their health and often shows in their gut, skin, coat, weight, immune system and dental health. While fresh is best, having multiple dogs in the home is not the most affordable option. We searched and found a high quality kibble to support optimal health for our health.
Annamaet Pet foods is a brand that utilizes premium ingredients and high-quality proteins with avoidance of fillers such as corn, wheat and soy. We made the switch to Annamaet several years ago when our dogs were experiencing gut issues and frequent bouts of gas. Phew! I’m glad that is behind us.
All of the Annamaet products are sourced responsibly and they strive for product safety and transparency. They are also committed to sustainable practices with their ingredient sourcing and packaging and use natural preservatives so we’re sure that our dogs are getting the best for their overall health.
Dr. Harvey’s is another brand that uses natural, whole-food ingredients without the addition of artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. I love that you can visibly see the dried vegetables and fruits in their formulations.
The food options are nutrient dense and Dr. Harvey’s also has transparency about ingredient sourcing, quality and safety.
Our elderly pup, Gracie, benefits most from their formulations as they have so many options including grain-free diets, and easily digestible options for pups with limited use of their teeth like our Gracie.
Beco Pets makes environmentally friendly products using recycled and natural materials. Their durable pet bowls are made from sustainable and biodegradable materials such as bamboo fiber, rice husks and natural rubber.They are a dishwasher safe and a great option for those who care for more sustainable options.
8) Grooming Supplies
Dog grooming essentials are crucial for maintaining your dog’s overall health and well-being.
Kin + Kind creates pet essentials that promote health while also being non-toxic with top-quality ingredients. They use mostly USDA organic and biobased ingredients making effort to keep out any harmful ingredients for the improved health of your pet.
Burts Bees for pets have created a bristle and slicker brush made of bamboo and recycled materials, eco-friendly packaging and manufacturing practices.
9) Doggy Gut and Skin Health
There will be a time where you will wish that you’ve had Dr. Harvey’s-Runs Be Done on hand. It takes affect almost immediately in assisting your pet back to a more controlled stools. It can be so frustrating having a pet have an upset belly because they can’t always readily communicate when they need to get outside and take care of business.
Our family experienced this recently when we returned from vacation and our dogs had returned from a week of boarding. Most of the dogs had upset bellies and Dr. Harvey’s-Runs be Done was a life saver! The band also has digestive probiotics that you can give regularly to help maintain a balanced gut and digestion.
For a healthy skin and coat Nordic Naturals is the best omega-3 oil option for both humans and pets! Here is the link for the Omega Pet option here.
Kin + Kind’s Healthy Skin + Coat is another more affordable option both effective with safe ingredients. Healthy Skin and Coat is a multivitamin containing sea kelp, flax and wheatgrass to promote a healthy and shiny coat and skin health.
This post was all about the must have’s for managing a multi-dog household where I gave insight into all the things that help our house run smoothly with the best product options for our family.
Thanks for reading!
