To most of us dogs are not just a pet, but a member of our family. Their unconditional love and company add meaning to most of our lives. However, their presence at home can also include a lot of dirt, mess, and fur. Considering most of the infectious diseases are passed on from animals to humans, good hygiene of your dogs is really important.
Prioritising your dog’s hygiene along with a healthy diet rich in nutrients, drinking clean water and regular exercise will keep them healthy and happy with only occasional visits to the vet for routine check-ups. Cleaning your pet’s eyes and ears regularly, oral and dental care and regular grooming would ensure better health for your dog. The following hygienic practices can help both you and your pet to lead a healthy and happy life.
Grooming your dog
Your dog’s grooming routine should include trimming its hair, fur and nails, bathing it and brushing it regularly. How you groom your dog depends largely on its breed, size and on how you are planning to keep its coat clean. You need to consider carefully the different products for grooming before buying it as some products have strong chemical ingredients on its list. It could be harmful to your dog if she has a sensitive skin. Take care not to bathe your dog quite often as it could leave its skin dry and itchy. Take the advice of your vet to include certain special treatments to get rid of fleas, ticks and other parasites on your dog. The treatment is decided depending on how severely your dog has been affected and the size of your canine companion.Pet-Action.com has some effective products that help to get rid of ticks, fleas, and parasites. Regular grooming has certain benefits associated with it including:
A good bonding with your dog.
You can check your dog thoroughly to make sure there are no issues worth addressing and that they are healthy and fit.
Shampooing and bathing your dog removes dirt and bacteria and kills parasites that could cause a number of skin problems, allergy, and itchiness.
Removes loose fur or hair and ensures the steady and healthy growth of hair and fur.
Regular brushing improves circulation of blood.
The coat and skin of your dog is healthy and shiny
Oral and dental care for your dog
Lack of proper oral hygiene could result in gingivitis, a gum disease, where gaps are formed under the teeth making it a breeding ground for bacteria. Damage to tissues and bones between the teeth and gum could be the result. To protect your dog’s teeth from decay, tartar, and plaque you need to clean it regularly using a toothpaste and toothbrush designed for pets. A wide range of pet products like pet sprays, pet mints and chew sticks are available to prevent bad breath and to keep your dog’s teeth clean and shining.
Cleaning your dog’s eyes and ears
Dogs could suffer from ear irritations, infections and bad odor due to build-up and dirt within the ear. So, it is important that you clean your dog’s ear at least once in two weeks to prevent such infections. If you fail to treat an infection in time it could affect its middle ear and could result in a damaged eardrum and hearing loss. In case you notice excessive scratching and shaking in your dog you need to consult a vet immediately.
The eyes of your dog need to be cleaned regularly to keep it free from eye infections. Eye infections in the dogs could be the result of a number of factors like chemicals, dust, shampoo, or any medication. Conjunctivitis is also quite common in dogs. Consult a vet immediately if you notice an eye infection in your dog.
Other factors to consider
Proper storage of pet food: Both dry and wet food needs to be stored in air-tight containers. Wet food needs to be refrigerated as well.
Clean your dog’s bed thoroughly: You need to vacuum and wash your dog’s bed on a regular basis to prevent unwanted infections.
Wash and clean your dog’s water and food dishes daily, to prevent the spreading of bacteria.
Pet toys need to be washed and replaced regularly.
When it comes to hygiene, it is a real challenge to keep your pet and your home clean and tidy. The job is not easy even for the tidiest of pet parents. But, unless you do it thoroughly it could affect your pet’s health and your health.
Donna is your friend in the know. Her blog is a treasure trove of insightful tidbits on a wide range of topics. From wellness to technology, she’s your source for staying informed and inspired.
Donna is your friend in the know. Her blog is a treasure trove of insightful tidbits on a wide range of topics. From wellness to technology, she's your source for staying informed and inspired.
