5 Dog Hygiene Tips for Healthier Living

Doggy hygiene is one of the top pet parent responsibilities when it comes to keeping your dog healthy and clean. Just like how being on top of your hygiene and grooming is a part of maintaining good health for humans, the same goes for our pets too. We put together 5 tips for dog parents to add to their routine to help upkeep and improve their pet care.

1. Giving Regular Baths & Brushing

Bathing and grooming can keep your dog from experiencing possible skin infections, harmful bacteria, or dull and greasy fur. Make sure to give pup a bath regularly -- for long haired dogs, every 4-6 weeks and for short haired dogs, every 1-3 months is recommended. If they get especially dirty after the rain or an adventure, rinse off the dirt as needed. Bathing too often can result in loss of natural oils in the body which can cause an imbalance or irritation in your dog’s skin, so make a bath routine based on how often your dog needs it, using products that are designed specifically for pets. Brushing pup’s fur can also prevent skin issues and is recommended to do daily or every few days to prevent matting, remove dead hair, and distribute natural oils for a healthy coat.

2. Keeping Up With Dental Hygiene

Dental disease is quite prevalent in dogs and can lead to other health problems. Signs of periodontal disease such as gingivitis in dogs are commonly seen by the age of three, beginning with bad breath and tartar build up. It’s recommended that dogs get their first teeth cleaning right around 2-3 years of age and routine cleaning every year. As a responsible dog parent, implement a daily tooth brushing routine as early as possible to help maintain pup’s dental hygiene long-term. You can also look into other dental disease prevention methods to find what’s best for your pup. See our Guide to Doggy Dental Care for more in-depth information and tips on the topic.

3. Wiping Pup’s Paws After Walks

Clean paws will ensure your dog can walk, play, and live comfortably. After your walk or hike, remember to wipe and check pup’s body and paws for debris (grass, twigs, foxtails) that might have gotten stuck as it could result in discomfort, open wounds and even infection. Wiping your dog’s paws with dog-safe grooming wipes gets rid of any bad germs picked up from your walk, helping keep both you & your dog’s immune systems healthy AND your home interior clean.

4. Cleaning Pup’s Eyes & Tear Stains

What are tear stains and eye goop? It’s a discharge that your dog’s body produces to flush out any dirt or allergies in the air. Depending on breed and lifestyle this can vary from texture, fluid, and color. It’s recommended to clean around your dog’s eyes daily (or as often as they need be) using a warm washcloth and gently removing any goop or discharge. Tear stains can appear in pink and brownish color below the eyes and are usually more visible on pups with lighter colored fur. Treating tear stains may require a more specific cleaning routine and products like powder, eye combs, eye cleaning pads, or chews. Tear stains and eye goop are common and manageable in dogs but they can lead to bacteria growth and infection, or they can be signs of other health problems. So it’s good to stay on top of any changes and maintain an overall cleanliness around pup’s eyes.

5. Washing Pup’s Bowls & Toys

This one is something that some of us may not think about often. Especially your dog’s toys… how often do you clean them? But the truth is, the food & water bowls and toys come in contact with pup’s mouth and snout all the time. And their saliva & constant wetness make for perfect breeding grounds for germs that you don’t want to spread around your home & family. Dog bowls should be washed every day if not after every meal. Hand-washing or using the dishwasher are the best ways to get the job done, and remember to be mindful of the cleaning products you use to keep your dog safe. For the same reason, toys should also be cleaned regularly and it’s recommended that they be well washed and sanitized at least once a month. If your pup has a favorite toy that goes everywhere with them, then cleaning it more often would be ideal and make sure to let it dry completely. Most plush toys can be thrown in the washing machine with baking soda and vinegar without detergent to sanitize them naturally. Silicone toys may be dishwashed, but check the manufacturer washing instructions.

Adding these easy tips into your dog parenting regimen will not only improve your pup’s overall health but also keep them happy and loving their best life for many years to come. Dogs may not be human but they are just like us when it comes to wanting to feel clean, comfortable, and healthy each day. And it’s up to us humans to provide that for our best friends.

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