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10 Tips to Prepare Your Pet for a Lifetime of Good Hygiene

Your furball requires good hygienic habits to be healthy and happy. If you keep him dirty you are nearly committing a crime. Yes, you are! You need to clean him up and his surroundings before he is adversely affected by parasitic diseases and illnesses. How to go about it? Here are some of the ways that can be useful for you and your pet.

Bath Regularly

Bathing can be an enjoyable experience for your furball. The temperature of the bathing water must be appropriately warm for the pet. Clean him in a pet-friendly way without making many splashes. In a gentle manner pour water beginning from torso to feet. A wet cloth can be used to clean the surrounding area of his eyes. Apply a pet-friendly shampoo and lather the pet’s coat with slow strokes. Have you just brought in your pet? In this case, first, introduce him to the bathing area. Let him smell and get used to it. After he is accustomed to this surrounding, give him a bath there. Else, the canine may feel intimidated. He needs to feel secure. 

Drying after Bath

Take a dry towel and run it on your pet’s body slowly but firmly. You may need multiple towels. The larger the breed, the larger the towel you may require. You can also use an electric hairdryer. Keep him at a safe distance from the dryer and switch the dryer on. The dryer must be set to low mode and angled away from the pet’s face. You can also use a chamois leather as it is soft and absorbent by nature. It is essential to dry all parts of the pet. You can do its back first, then stomach, followed by chest and finally paws. After you have successfully dried him, reward him with a treat. Canines have their own way of drying too. Allow the pet to shake the water from his fur. 

Grooming & Clipping

Grooming is certainly unignorable for the well-being of pets. This can be carried out by a professional or pet parent. If you are grooming your furbaby for the first time, he can get easily get scared by the sound, sight, smell and vibrations of the electric clippers and dryers. The first few grooming/clipping sessions must be brief for his comfort. You can then perform it incrementally. It has been generally observed that a pet parent’s emotion flows into the pet too. So, if you are worried about grooming your pet, your pet will be as well. Your pet has to find you confident and reliable. This can take time. Be patient as a pet parent. Don’t force your pet into anything.  

Dental Care

Your pet’s teeth require more attention than you can imagine. It should be absolutely free from tartar and plaque. The tongue must be clean and moist. The colour of the gums may vary as per breed. A dog requires regular dental checkup for good health. Your pet needs dog-focused toothbrush and toothpaste. If this is not taken care of, the ingredients of a human toothpaste can cause irritation in the stomach and make the pet severely sick. Here are some common oral care problems associated with dogs: Halitosis, Cysts & Tumours, Gingivitis and Proliferating Gum Disease. 

 

Clean the Bedding

Your pet’s bed can be full of fur, dirt and harmful parasites. Washing it frequently for the good health of your furbaby is necessary. By doing so, you will drastically minimise pet dander and hair. Sometimes, you can rely on a vacuum cleaner. After you have cleaned your pet’s bed apply a pet-friendly odour spray to do away with the previous bad odour. Before purchasing an odour spray, please consult a vet. Your furball may be suffering from an allergy or sensitive skin. You must take precautions accordingly. To dry the washed bedding faster, you can use a blower on a low setting. This proves helpful!

Store Pet Food in the Right Manner

A normal dog dry food can be negatively impacted by salmonella. This can transfer to humans leading to severe illnesses. Dry food should be kept in airtight containers to avert pests from getting into the pet’s food. Wet food must be refrigerated else bacterial growth is inevitable in a room temperature environment. It must be kept in the fridge for no more than 7 days. Never leave the wet or canned food in your furbaby’s bowl for over 4 hours. Generally, as well, don’t leave the food open outside as it can attract rodents and other harmful creatures. The best way to store pet food is to read its instructions carefully and follow it religiously. Wash your hands before and after dealing with pet food. 

 

Clean Pet Toys and Accessories

Pet toys and accessories are great accumulators of toxic parasites and dirt. They are used by the canine in playing areas, streets, puddles etc. If they are not cleaned properly they can give rise to diseases and illnesses. Puppy acne is one such disorder among pets. Unknowingly, you can get infected by harmful microorganisms too. Soft toys can be cleaned by the use of a washing machine or dishwasher while accessories can be cleaned manually by a scrubber brush. Most of the pet parents end up neglecting them. Later, when they are observed they are repulsive in their appearance and feel. You have to discard them. Buying pet toys and accessories can be somewhat expensive but is a good source of engagement for your furball. 

Get the Right Kind of Cleaners

Yes. You read it right! Buying and using the right kind of house cleaning agents. They are human-focused and mostly poisonous for pets. This may include dishwasher detergent, toilet cleaner and drain cleaner. The best option is a naturally derived cleaner prepared especially for pet parents. Preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases is essential. Adopting some golden rules for a clean house and then executing them aptly is the only way to make your pet healthy and happy. 

Feeding

Feeding your pet at the right spot of the house is vital. Your furball must not be fed near the bedding area, carpets and such places. These are hotspots for the accumulation of germs. You can place a large tray below the water and food bowl for more neatness. Clean, fresh water should be made available to the pet. If you plan to feed your pet a treat, his meal must be reduced accordingly. The required nutritional balance should be maintained. Avoid feeding these items: alcohol, chocolates, grapes, coffee and garlic. Please understand that many food items meant for humans are shockingly unsuitable for pets event to the point of being fatal. 

Eye and Ear Cleaning

 

Maintaining the cleanliness of the eye and ear is highly essential. The ears of pets should be cleaned on a weekly or fortnightly basis. This averts irritations and infections that may harm him. If this is the case, the pet will frequently shake its head or continuously scratch. Corrective measures need to be taken for avoiding this scenario. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from Conjunctivitis. Depending on the cause and medical history, a vet is supposed to offer the right medication.


Author Bio:

Esha Sinha is a seasoned writer who has over the years contributed quality content on various high-profile websites. She has particularly excelled in niches like Fashion, Business, Entrepreneurship, Education, Pet Healthcare etc. Her professionalism, four year’s experience, and expertise make her one of the most sought-after content writers in the field.

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