You know that meme about how 90% of being a pet parent is just both of you walking around the house, wondering what the other is eating? It’s funny because it’s true! Our furry creatures are so much fun and also so much work. We want nothing more than to make them happy, but they can’t exactly tell us what they want (meows and barks don’t really get into the level of detail we need). We’re always on the hunt to find ideas that will make life better for us and our furry friends, so we’ve rounded up some of the best advice we’ve given in the past 25 years. It’s the cat’s pajamas, if you will.

Use a Rubber Glove for Pet Hair

Fur does’t just stay on your pet, it gets here, there, and everywhere. To take it off of your clothes or couch, try this trick. Put on a pair of rubber dishwashing gloves and wipe your hands along the fabric, working in a circular motion to collect all the fur. That rubbery material is so handy! (See what we did there?)

Roll Down Car Windows for Fido

When bringing your four-legged pal on road trips, keep his tummy from getting queasy by rolling the windows down a few inches and watching his food intake, says Sara Lewis, DVM, managing shelter veterinarian at the Animal Humane Society in Minnesota. “Don’t feed him a full meal for six to 12 hours before your trip,” she warns, adding that it’s OK to offer small amounts of water so he stays hydrated.

Get Up When You’re Ready

The excitement for breakfast is real. Ditto for going outside to pee on that same tree from yesterday. But barring any health issues, your pet should be able to make it through the night until you’re up and at ’em. If you’re being awakened by middle-of-the-night zoomies, consider upping your play sessions and leaving out one of those treat-dispensing toys for your pup. That can help reduce boredom and quell any midnight munchies. Whatever you do, know that nothing good comes from giving in to 4 a.m. meowing: “When you get up and reward cats with attention—even if it’s negative—or food, you incentivize them to continue to harass you,” says Brianna Im, DVM, a veterinarian in Portland, Oregon.

Same for early-morning doggy whine fests. Start your day at a time that works for you. Be consistent and your pup should adjust his inner alarm clock. “Dogs like routine and structure,” says Marge Rogers, a certified professional dog trainer in West Jefferson, North Carolina. “So the more you stick to a schedule, the easier it will be for your dog to adapt.”

Bring Three Things on Walks—and Only Three Things

Communal water bowls can harbor viruses, bacteria, and parasites that spread through feces. (It’s adorable when dogs paw at their water, but if they’ve stepped in poop beforehand…) So pack your own water, a collapsible bowl, and poop bags. “Do not bring toys, treats, or balls, because they can cause dogs to compete over resources,” says Alexandra Bassett, a certified dog trainer and behavioral specialist in Los Angeles. Meaning, Mary Puppins might get upset when Bark Twain doesn’t share! To avoid any ruff play, teach your dog the “drop it” command, or ask people to throw their ball in another area of the park.

Use Positive Reinforcement

This means you reward the behaviors you like and ignore the ones you don’t. There are lots of ways to acknowledge Spot’s good work: treats, playing with him with a toy or with other pets, or anything else the dog responds to. “Rewarding” techniques can even be used to teach fully potty-trained canines to ring a doggy doorbell to let you know when they need to relieve themselves.

Get Into a Teeth Routine

The ideal: You brush your pet’s teeth every day for a minute or two. The reality: He flees the minute he sees bristles. Try giving him a few weeks to get used to toothbrushing. Start by letting him taste pet toothpaste off your finger, then dab a bit on a tooth, then have him lick it off his toothbrush. If that doesn’t work, try wiping his teeth with dental wipes. (Whether you brush or wipe, sit behind your pet so he can’t back away from you.) If he won’t let you do either, ask your vet about oral-care kibble or Oravet dental chews. The chews work to loosen and remove plaque and include an ingredient that helps ward off bacteria.

Add Lemon Rinds to Planters

Every cat parent knows that felines love to nibble on household plants. Not only is it annoying for you (those bedraggled begonias!), but it’s also potentially harmful to your pet. To curb the behavior, make the plants unappealing by placing lemon rinds in the dirt. (Cats detest the scent.) It’s also helpful, if your vet approves, to give the cats greenery that they can snack on, like wheatgrass or catnip. Place it near their toys or food and at least five feet from the other plants.

And on that note, skip the monstera and other plants that are toxic to pets. Toxicity varies based on the plant—some only require a whiff, while others would have to be ingested to hurt Fido. Regardless, you’ll want to avoid aloe vera, monstera, and corn plant, among others, to keep your pets safe.

Give Them Their Space

“Dogs should have beds in a few different locations to choose from,” says Christopher Pachel, DVM, and owner of Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon. Sometimes they want to be close to the action (that is, keep an eye out for any crumbs that might fall on the floor). Other times they may be more inclined to curl up in a quiet corner or under a coffee table (dogs often seek the comfort and security of tight, den-like spaces) to catch some undisturbed shut-eye. Or they may want to head upstairs to get a break from guests. If your dog uses a crate, keep the door open so she can hunker down whenever she wants.

Investigate Your Choice of Kibble

When it comes to kibble, price doesn’t necessarily correspond to quality. Ask your vet which food they recommend for your fur baby and how much to feed them—getting it right could save money and prevent obesity (a major possible cause of hefty vet bills). You can also go to petnutritionalliance.org to determine exactly how many calories your little fella needs. Another smart saving idea: Ask your pet store about frequent-buyer programs—some give incentives, such as the tenth bag free. Or buy online and enable auto shipping, which can save you around 5%.

Prevent Wet Dog Smell

A dog’s thick, oily coat is water-repellent, which helps it dry faster, but it can also trap and absorb various organic materials from the water. These microorganisms may remain on the coat as the water evaporates, leaving behind a foul odor. To avoid this, make sure your furry friend is thoroughly dry after swimming or bathing, including the inside of his ears. And don’t wait for your pet to air dry! If his coat remains damp for a long time, yeast, mold, and bacteria can thrive, making the coat odor worse.