The latest in news, trends and happenings for the home.
Is your pet drinking enough water?
December is Pet Hydration Awareness Month, and PetSafe Australia wants to make sure we’re all able to recognise signs of dehydration in our furry friends.
Five common symptoms of dehydration to look out for are: sunken eyes, lethargy, loss of appetite, dry mouth and depression.
A two-step skin test can be performed on your pet by gently grabbing a loose fold of skin on the back of the neck or in between the shoulder blades. When released, if the skin snaps back into place, your pet should be okay. If the skin slowly returns to place, your pet could be dehydrated and needs to be checked by a veterinarian immediately.
Your pet needs around 70ml of water per kilogram of their body weight each day. If you’re ever unsure, it’s best to contact your vet ASAP.
For more info, check out petsafe.net/en-au/pet-hydration
Prepare your home for Xmas
Top tips for that pre-Christmas house clean from Elke Keely, co-founder of online home and gardening services website UrbanYou:
- Unclog your drains: Pour a tablespoon of bicarb soda followed by a tablespoon of vinegar into your drain and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse down with boiling hot water, repeat if needed, and you’ll have fresh-smelling drains.
- Sort out your oven: Warm your oven a little to help break down some of the grease. Rub a paste of bicarb soda and warm water all over your oven, followed by a generous amount of white vinegar. Leave it to bubble away and break down for an hour, then wipe clean with a cloth.
- Make your windows sparkle: Spray a mix of equal parts vinegar and water onto the window and wipe clean straight away in a horizontal motion with a paper towel or lint-free cloth. The quicker you do it, the less likely you are to get streaks.
- Tackle your kitchen: Start by throwing away old cloths and sponges and cleaning out your bin with lemon juice. Freshen-up your wooden boards with coconut oil and half a lemon to keep the wood sparkling and to kill any lingering bacteria.
- Improve your lighting: Use a damp cloth to gently wipe away any dust build-up on your lighting fixtures. Use a ‘top down’ approach; do your lights first and finish with skirting boards and floors, that way you aren’t going over what you’ve already done.
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