Poor hygiene risks pets’ well-being by exposing them to infectious diseases and infections, where 53.8% of dogs and 36% of cats get hospitalized yearly due to contagious illnesses.
Therefore, maintaining good hygiene is crucial to ensure the overall prosperity of your furry friends.
Maintain your pet’s hygiene by bathing them regularly, brushing, trimming nails, improving oral hygiene, cleaning their ears, disinfecting their belongings, and doing routine health check-ups.
Treating the diseases can be costly, ranging from hundreds to several thousand dollars, especially for fatal illnesses like parvovirus and Lyme Borreliosis.
Read on to find ways to ensure your pet’s hygiene and prevent costly treatments.
Why is Good Hygiene Important to Pets?
Animals are more likely to be confident, active, and playful when clean. Hence, by providing them with the care they need, you can assist in enhancing their overall quality of life.
Assuring pets with clean habits and a hygienic environment will benefit them physically and make their mental health safe and sound.
Good hygiene is essential to pets for several reasons:
- It helps to prevent the spread of diseases.
- It helps to reduce skin irritations and infections.
- It helps to identify health problems and abnormalities early on.
- It helps your pet to feel more comfortable and happy.
Moreover, you can prevent the spread of viral diseases from pets to humans, including:
- Ringworm: It is a contagious fungal infection that causes skin allergies and irritations.
- Toxocariasis: It causes inflammation of the eye and liver.
- Toxoplasmosis: People can get this disease from un-properly cooked meat. It is a fatal disease because the parasite can pass to the baby during pregnancy.
- Hookworms and Roundworms: It causes stomach pain and infection.
Top 6 Ways to Maintain a Pet’s Hygiene
Here are six proven ways to maintain a pet’s hygiene.
1. Regular Bathing and Grooming
Bathing is an essential aspect of pet grooming, which helps remove dirt, dust, and odors from their fur, reducing the risk of skin infections and other problems.
However, bathing too frequently can take off the coat of natural oils, leading to dry and itchy skin.
It will be best to determine the frequency of bathing by consulting with a vet based on the breed and its lifestyle.
For example, pets that spend much time outdoors may require more frequent bathing than those who stay indoors.
- It helps to remove dirt, dust, and dead skin cells.
- It helps to eliminate skin irritations, infections, and foul odors.
- It helps to protect your pet from flea and tick infestations.
- It makes your pet refreshed and energetic.
Things to consider while cleaning your pet:
- Wipe their body every day.
- Use dry shampoo if bathing is not possible daily.
- Brush your dog’s hair thoroughly.
- It will help if you use shampoo and conditioner designed for their pets to avoid irritation.
Regular grooming is crucial for maintaining a healthy coat and preventing mats and fur tangles. It also helps to distribute natural oils throughout the skin, keeping it soft and shiny.
Moreover, the frequency of brushing hair varies depending on the coat type and breed of the pet.
For example, long-haired breeds may require daily brushing, while short-haired breeds require brushing only a few times a week.
2. Maintaining Oral Hygiene
80% of dogs have oral problems due to not maintaining dental hygiene.
Poor oral hygiene in pets can lead to dental issues such as gum disease, periodontitis, severe tooth decay, and bad breath, negatively affecting their health.
Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth using toothpaste and toothbrushes designed for pets can help prevent these issues.
Ways to make pet habitual with teeth brushing:
- Start brushing your pet’s teeth from a young age.
- Use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise.
- Make the brushing sessions short and first and gradually increase the duration.
- Be gentle and light while brushing.
- Make the brushing time as fun as the playtime.
- Make the routine constant and regular.
Ways to maintain your pet’s gums:
- Give your pet foods rich in vitamin C, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.
- Provide your pet with Omega-3-containing foods like flaxseed and algal oils.
- Take your pet for oral check-ups from time to time.
- Give them healthy dental chews like Churpidurkha, puffed nuggets, etc.
- You should provide them with fresh water all the time.
3. Nail Trimming
Nail trimming is another critical aspect of pet grooming. Overgrown nails can cause discomfort and pain and even lead to infections.
The frequency of nail trimming can be done based on the pet’s lifestyle, breed, and age.
Benefits of cutting pet nails:
- Maintains proper posture and improves their mobility.
- Nail trimming also helps to prevent scratches on your furniture and floors.
- Prevents potential injuries and discomfort.
- Keeps the dirt away and helps prevent diseases and infection.
Trimming your dog’s and cat’s nail every 4-6 weeks will be the best.
Things to consider while trimming the nails of a pet:
- Use nail clippers designed for pets.
- Be cautious when cutting to avoid injuring them, which can cause bleeding.
- Make your pet familiar with the process by reinforcing them with treats.
- Be gentle and hold them lightly.
4.Ear Cleaning
Dirty ears can lead to infections and hearing loss; therefore, ear cleaning is necessary to maintain your pet’s hygiene.
Moreover, the frequency of ear cleaning depends on the breed of the pet and its lifestyle. Regular ear cleaning also helps detect ear infections early on and prevents fatal diseases.
Did you know dogs with food allergies develop 50-80% of ear infections yearly?
Symptoms of pet ear infection:
- Odor and discharge.
- Scratching ears and shaking head.
- Rubbing themselves in the carpet and floor.
- Injury to ear canals.
- Heavy growth of wax.
Dogs that spend much time in the water or have long, floppy ears may require more frequent cleaning, including Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Poodles, English bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers
Things to consider while cleaning your pet’s ear:
- It is vital to use ear-cleaning solutions designed for pets; Zymox Otic pet ear treatment, Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced, etc.
- It will help if you be gentle when cleansing.
- You should check the signs of infections and inflammation before cleaning.
- You can also use vinegar to remove dampness outside the ear caused by bacteria.
5. Disinfect Your Pet’s Belongings
Cleaning or simply rinsing the pet’s belongings does not ensure total hygiene. It will be best to occasionally disinfect your pet’s possessions, such as bowls, toys, and bedding accessories.
It helps to eliminate harmful parasites and bacteria that can cause adverse effects on your pet’s health.
Benefits of disinfecting pet’s belongings:
- Protects your pet from harmful germs and bacteria.
- It prevents the spread of disease and infections.
- It helps to keep your home fresh and odor free.
- It prevents cross-contamination if you have multiple pets in your house.
Ways to disinfect your pet’s area:
- It will be best to use EPA-registered disinfectants like Bioblast, Simple elements, etc.
- Follow the guidelines exactly written on the label.
- Wash off pesticides or insecticides from the driveway.
- Rinse the area with soapy water thoroughly after spraying the toxins.
6.Routine Vet-checkup
Regular visits to the vet are crucial for maintaining your pet’s overall health and hygiene.
The professionals can check for any underlying health issues, provide vaccinations, and advise on any additional care needed for your pet.
It is best to schedule check-ups at least once a year, but the frequency depends on the pet’s age and health.
Benefits of Regular Vet-checkup:
- Early detection of fatal diseases such as heart disease, eye problems, etc.
- You will be at peace knowing your furry friend is happy and healthy.
- Helps you determine the diet and optimal care your pet requires.
- Helps to make your pet familiar with check-ups.
- You can get an idea of maintaining their hygiene, prevent infections, diseases, and discomfort and detect any underlying health issues early on.
List of vaccines essential for a pet:
- Canine Distemper: Protects against respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological health problems.
- Rabies: Protects against a deadly bite from other animals.
- Canine Parvovirus: Protects from contagious gastrointestinal disease.
- Canine Adenovirus: Protects from liver disease.
- Para influenza: Protects against respiratory disease.
- Bordetella: Protects against bacterial infection and kennel cough.
- Panleukopenia: Boosts immune system in cats.
- Rhinotracheitis: Protects against rhinovirus that causes respiratory infection.
- Feline Leukemia: Protects against immunodeficiency and anemia.
Conclusion:
Keeping our pets clean and healthy provides them a comfortable and safe environment, reducing the risk of health problems.
Moreover, grooming, bathing, dental care, ear cleaning, and regular vet check-up can help avoid infections early on.
A hygienic environment can help maintain a pet’s health and happiness because clean pets are happy!
Get help from our best veterinarians on what behavior will be appropriate for your pups and kitties, and contact Urban Pet Supply to learn more about your pet’s hygiene.
