A new puppy or kitten brings accidents, chewed items, new feeding and litter routines, and more mess than your cleaning schedule was set up for. If you just brought one home, this post covers what to tell us before a visit during the first few months.
Accidents Happen, and That’s Fine
Housetraining a puppy or litter-training a kitten is rarely a clean, linear process. Accidents on carpet, hardwood, or tile are normal during the first weeks, and if they have happened before your cleaning visit, it helps to let your cleaning team know which areas need attention and, if you know it, what you have already used to treat the spot. Our visits are a cleaning of the home and do not include stain or odor treatment of carpet or upholstery, so tell us about any accident spots when you book. A deep clean adds the inside of the oven, fridge, and microwave to a standard visit and starts at $210+ for a studio, $220+ for a 1BR, and $270+ for a 2BR.
New Feeding and Water Station Routines
Food and water bowls, especially for a young puppy still learning to eat neatly, tend to create a small mess radius around their station that grows over just a few days. Let us know where the feeding area is set up and whether it is a fixed spot or something that moves around the house during this early phase. A station that moves from week to week is worth mentioning, so we know where it is and do not move bowls and food without knowing your routine.
Litter Box Areas for New Kittens
Litter box maintenance itself, including scooping and box cleaning, is typically something owners handle themselves between visits rather than something built into a routine cleaning. What we can do is vacuum and mop the floor around it as part of a standard visit. If you have just set up a litter box in a new spot, tell us where it is so we know what we are cleaning around.
Chewed and Scattered Items
Puppies especially go through a phase of chewing on anything within reach, which can mean toys, shoes, cords, and furniture edges scattered or damaged around the house. Because it is hard to tell a chewed personal item from trash, tell us what can be thrown out and what needs to stay put.
Extra Hair and Dander During Adjustment
New pets, particularly ones adjusting to a new environment, can shed more than expected during the first few months as their coat and stress levels settle. If you are noticing more pet hair around the house than usual, it is worth mentioning during booking so the visit can be planned around it. Our post on pet hair and dander between visits has more detail on keeping things manageable in between cleanings.
Setting Up a Routine That Works Long-Term
The first few months with a new pet are usually the messiest, and things tend to settle down considerably once housetraining is complete and the pet’s routine stabilizes. Some households book a deep clean or two during this adjustment period while otherwise on a standard recurring schedule. Once things settle, regular visits can go back to normal.
If you have a new puppy or kitten in the house and are not sure how to structure your cleaning schedule around it, take a look at our page on cleaning considerations for homes with pets, or call or text us at 571-350-0866 to talk through what is going on in your specific household before your next visit.