By Allison Lind

Somehow in the midst of cooing and belly scratching, our beloved pets create a consistent mess -- follow these tips to keep on top of it.

No pet owner will argue against the following: Our pets are our children. From the day they enter our homes, they solidify a spot in the family tree. And, of course, like all of us, they can be a bit untidy (and perhaps like some family members super high-maintenance). But, unlike human family members (most, at least), pets are incapable of cleaning up after themselves, often leaving behind a fury, muddy mess wherever they go. 

There are cleaning solutions, machines and utensils galore -- and you probably already own a slew of them. But to really keep a leash on your home's cleanliness, read through this guide; we promise it'll help keep your home in purrfect shape. (Yeah, I couldn't help myself.)

Do use a vacuum with brushes, fans and powerful air currents. "These features all combine to destruct fleas," says Jackie Cooper, director of marketing and communications for Electrolux Home Care Products North America. "Research from The Ohio State University shows a vacuum can kill fleas, so use it to your advantage."

Do put a cap on the amount of toys in the house at a given time. Like children, cats and dogs don't rely solely on toys for amusement, so for the most part you're just creating extra clutter. If you have kids, have them help take part in the pet's care by being responsible for putting all of the pet's toys into a basket each evening. 

Don't let pets roam free. Limit your pet's play area by blocking off specific rooms you want to keep clean or that are unsafe for them, Cooper says. In the rooms appropriate for pets, minimize the clutter so that there is nothing to be knocked over. Also, install shelves that are fastened to the walls and choose sturdy furniture. Minimize breakables so that your pet can play -- and you can relax. 

Don't submerge pets in water for a bath, Cooper advises. "Instead, try using the minimum amount of water needed, poured over your dog or cat, to cut down on potential mess." Or, if it's warm and sunny outside, she adds, take your pet outside to speed up drying and reduce clean-up time. 

Don't wait to bathe and brush your pets until after several days playing outside. "After romping around all those dead leaves in the yard, their coats are often loaded with dirt and dander that scatters around the house and can contribute to poor indoor air quality," Cooper says. To avoid this problem, brush pets' hair before they re-enter the home from outdoors and bathe them regularly.

Do keep the right tools on hand for cleaning up your pet's most common messes, advise the experts at BISSELL, who created an online Pet Lovers Community, which offers tips on cleaning and care and an on-hand expert to answer questions. BISSELL's research shows that about half (51 percent) of dog and cat owners admit to using a "quick fix" like an air freshener or candle to hide odors, throwing away a rug the pet had an accident on instead of trying to clean it, or flipping over couch or chair cushions to hide fur. If you have the right tools, cleaning up after your pet will be simple, and you won't have to resort to those "band-aid" fixes.

Do tackle pet hair with a vacuum with superior suction and specially designed tools for removing pet hair and dander. (Product placement? Of course! Try BISSELL's Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum, $149.99.) 

Don't let your pet's potty accidents sit, say the folks at BISSELL. This is especially true if you have a cat, because cat urine is actually more concentrated -- and likely to stain -- than dog urine. Absorb as much of the moisture as possible with old towels -- being careful to blot rather than rub -- before applying a carpet solution. If accidents are common, consider purchasing a portable deep cleaner (like the BISSELL SpotBot Pet Deep Cleaner, $129.99).

Do tackle "recycled meals" (pet vomit) with an oxygen-active formula to remove tough, color-based pet stains – often the result of dyes contained in pet food – along with the odors they create. 

Do minimize tracked dirt by quickly rubbing down dogs with a towel after walks, making sure to include their paws -- especially on rainy days when mud, water and who knows what else easily clings to fur. 

Do keep cleaning products stored out of reach of children and pets. Vacuum cleaners, sprays and deep cleaning machines can be super enticing to a curious child (or pup).