Although dogs don’t wear clothes (unless you love to dress them up!), you cannot shirk your washing responsibilities when it comes to your pup. Their things need to be cleaned more often than you would think.
Dogs are messy. They roll around in the dirt, get inside the garbage bin, zoom around car tyres, take naps under dusty furniture and can’t wash their bums after pooping. So, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that they get their things very dirty too.
Dogs are just as vulnerable to bacteria, viruses, other microbes and pollutants. Microbes may cause diseases and infections; mould, pollen, dust, etc. may cause allergies and sensitivities; and dirt and debris stuck on your pup’s things just make the environment unclean for them. Therefore, along with them, their accessories also need periodic baths.
What dog accessories need washing?
Technically speaking, everything your dog uses daily should be cleaned from time to time. In fact, if they have a favourite chair or spot in the house, you should also try to keep it as clean as possible. But there are some things that you definitely should not skip cleaning, as it may directly affect the hygiene condition of your pup’s surroundings, and none of us want that. Here are the main items:
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Dog bed and crate
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Water and food bowl
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Collar, leash and harness
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Toys
How often should I wash my dog’s bed?
Dogs love to nap. That means they spend a considerable amount of time in their bed. Therefore, keeping it thoroughly clean is of utmost importance. If your pup pees or poops on the bed, obviously you should wash it immediately. However, even if it isn’t visibly dirty or stained, you should still wash it about once a week.
Even their crates should be cleaned and disinfected once a week if they use them regularly, or before and after every use.
How often should I wash my dog’s toys?
Toys are especially sensitive items because your dog is probably constantly chewing on them, dropping them on different surfaces, and keeping them close all the time. If it’s visibly dirty, clean it immediately. But even if it looks clean, it’s best to make it a habit to clean their toys and playthings once a month.
How often should I wash my dog’s bowls?
Dog bowls are prone to getting dirty and carrying various kinds of microbes that cause health issues like vomiting, diarrhoea, and infections. Leftover food or saliva in the bowl may foster microbes, and drinking water may also get polluted due to dust and dirt. Therefore, you should remember to clean your dog’s food bowl after every meal and the water bowl once every day.
How often should I wash my dog’s collar and leash?
While leashes, collars, and harnesses don’t seem like items you would have to wash very frequently, the truth is that, for most dogs, those are their clothes. They stick to their skin, roll around with them when they roll around in the dirt, and may retain dust, debris and bacteria that can cause skin allergies and infections. So, it is best to wash leashes, collars, and harnesses immediately if they get visibly dirty. If your pup is very active outdoors, you should wash them once a week. If there’s less activity, wash it every couple of weeks for maximum safety.
What should I use to wash my dog’s accessories?
Depending on the material of your dog’s bedding, toys, and collars, you can always put them in the washing machine. Otherwise, you should wash them with mild soap and warm water. Clean thoroughly using a sponge or a brush. Then, rinse off excess soap and dirt with clean water. Hard items like bowls and crates also need to be washed in the same way.
To disinfect, you can use bleach solution or disinfectant wipes/sprays. Always remember to follow instructions as written on wipes and sprays. For bleach disinfecting, you can dilute the bleach we use at home in a lot of water and let the items soak in it for 10 minutes before thoroughly washing away the residue. The solution may roughly be 1/4 cup of bleach in about 4 litres of water.
No matter what you use, it is crucial to wash away any residue as that should not be ingested by your pup.
Looking to explore more tips on how to look after your furry friend? Check out our other guides like Can Dogs Eat Apples?, Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?, Dog Food for Weight Loss, Raw v/s cooked meat for dogs, Home Remedies to cure tick fever, Finding Good Dog Food in India, How many times should I feed my dog?, Things you should do to keep your pet healthy, Types of Dog Food, How Prebiotics and Probiotics can improve your dog's digestion, Essential Tips for a New Dog Parent, and others. Each guide is designed to help you make better food and care choices for your dog, to keep them happy, healthy, and thriving.
Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/about/cleaning-and-disinfecting-pet-supplies.html
https://www.hartvillepetinsurance.com/resources/washing-pets-and-supplies/
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/winter-trust-b2330694.html
