Various factors influence a dog’s optimal health – but hygiene and nutrition are among the top priorities. Having a healthy and clean pet means you’ll also have a healthy and clean home. Our pets can be very messy, and their outdoor travels often lead to bringing home souvenirs of their adventures. When it’s time to wash up, you’ll need the right tools for the job. We’ve done the research and online shopping so you don’t have to. Here is your comprehensive guide on having a clean and healthy pooch.

Keep The Brush On Hand 

A daily activity that should ideally become a habit is brushing. Having the right brush – and using it regularly – will ensure you remove excess hair and dandruff and stimulate the natural oil production in your dog’s skin. Regular brushing helps to promote a healthy and shiny coat. Grooming your dog from the time they’re a young pup is vital to allow them to get used to bruising, reducing any anxiety in the process so that they can begin to enjoy being brushed.

Brushing your dog regularly means you also get to do mini inspections, making sure you check for any growths, ticks or abnormalities. Brushing is essential for your pet’s holistic health – including the time to bond with your pet during your grooming sessions. Implementing a product like Aloe Vera Spray will nurture your pet’s skin and coat by boosting moisturization.

Wash Their Bedding

As cozy as it is for your dog to curl up in their bed, or scratch around on their blanket, bedding can also be a breeding ground for ticks, mites, or bacteria. Regularly cleaning their bedding will not only keep smells and dirt at bay but also reduce the spread of mites or bacteria that can cause bigger problems.

Always start by removing pet hair from the bedding. Using a lint roller is a great option to get the pet hair off. A great alternative is using your vacuum to suck those excess hairs right off the bedding. If there are any stubborn stains, treat them with a pet-safe stain remover and give them a particularly good scrub before washing. Wash the pet bedding with pet products that won’t irritate their skin (avoid fabric softeners). Let bedding dry in the sun, as the UV rays will help reduce any leftover odors after the wash cycle.

Washing pet bedding regularly is critical; establish a routine and give extra washes if your pet has been rolling in the mud or was extra adventurous over the weekend.

Wipe Their Paws And Clean Those Ears

Two common locations of nasty infections are the paws and ears. It’s the perfect spot for bacteria to take hold and grow into a painful situation. Routinely cleaning your dog’s ears and paws will ensure harmful bacteria are addressed immediately and infections get spotted early.

Pet wipes are a good product to have right by the door. This will enable you to quickly grab one after a walk or a digging session and clean those paws between regular grooming. The compact packages are also ideal to pop in your bag for travels – even keep one in the car! Ensure pet wipes are formulated for pet use and contain no harsh ingredients. Keep their fur trimmed around their paws, decreasing the risk of matting and infection. Trim their nails to a comfortable length to ensure there is no dirt build-up or curling into the paws.

There are various products available for keeping those perky ears cleaned, too. Cleaning your dog’s ears becomes even more critical if you have a breed with drooping ears. Pre-soaked ear pads are a handy option and can also be used to keep the ears open and unclogged.

Ensure your pet is comfortable while cleaning the ears. You may need a second pair of hands to ensure your dog is calm and still so that you avoid hurting their ears accidentally.

Diet – The Secret to Success

Just like humans, a dog’s diet can influence their gut health, skin, coat, and overall health and well-being. Dogs also need fatty acids, linoleic acid, zinc and biotin. Ensuring these are present in their diet will give their bodies the ability to get rid of flaky and dry skin, and grow a good coat. A strong, healthy coat will minimize shedding and dandruff, helping you keep your house and pet bedding cleaner. Ensuring your pet’s diet is balanced will lead to more resilient skin that can fight infections and provide optimal protection against the elements.

Providing your pet with the correct nutritional needs also optimizes their gut health. Enhancing nutrition will ultimately minimize stool, keeping your dog cleaner and healthier overall. Plus, it makes it easier to clean up after them – no mounds of waste! Consult with a veterinarian on what diet will best suit your pooch, considering their age, breed and size. Doing some proper research on the amount of pet food products available can be overwhelming. But information is key. Read those labels and research the ingredients. You will know when you find the right fit.

Focus On Their Teeth

This is often an overlooked aspect of dog care for many pet parents! But just as you brush those pearly whites to avoid tooth decay, it is just as important for your pooch. Taking care of their teeth will enable them to have strong teeth for as long as possible.

The unavoidable decay of teeth is a fact – but keeping your pet’s oral hygiene a priority ensures you keep the tooth structure protected for as long as possible. You are keeping infections, decay and fallout at bay. Invest in a proper dog toothbrush and clean their teeth regularly, getting rid of food, bacteria and general dirt and build-up. The variety of oral care products available allows you to choose a product that fits your needs and your dog’s comfort. Using an oral gel, chews or foams are all options you can trial and test. These types of products will keep bad breath (and bacteria) away. You are avoiding those slobbery kisses with an extra whiff!

Regular attention to your dog’s gums and teeth will give you the tools to handle tooth-related issues before they become bigger problems. Addressing an abscess or tooth decay too late can allow the infection to spread to organs and cause unfortunate consequences.

The Benefits of a Good Bath

Scrubbing down your dog from head to toe in a good pamper session will always be the bottom line of pet hygiene. It is recommended to give a bath every two to three weeks – being careful not to overwash and cause the skin to dry out.

The first step is to ensure the water is lukewarm and comfortable for your pooch. Placing a rubber or a non-skid mat in the bathtub will ensure your pet does not slide all over the place while you scrub them down. Avoid starting with the head, but rather start at the paws and work yourself up to all the way to the neck. This will ensure you give your pet ample time to be used to the water and touch. Choosing a good pet shampoo like a deodorizing, moisturizing, or eco-friendly shampoo will ensure no harsh chemicals come into contact with your pet. Read the labels and do some research to find pet-friendly products, as not all pet products are genuinely pet-friendly. You have the power to choose what you use – use it to your pet’s benefit.

Lather them with the shampoo and ensure your pet is adequately rinsed. Any leftover shampoo in the eyes, paws or coat can cause skin irritation and might be pretty uncomfortable for your pet. If your dog is calm, try using a blow dryer to dry the hair – otherwise, you might need to stick to toweling or a good air-dry in the sun.

PS: Always use a calm voice and keep talking throughout bathtime! This will help ground your pet and keep him cool, calm and collected.

 

---

 

The key takeaway is ROUTINE; make a point of regular grooming, bathing, and cleaning your dog. This will result in a healthy pooch and a clean home. Keep bedding clean as well – think of how often you change your sheets! Your dog is part of the home, and keeping them healthy, clean, and safe will ensure everyone enjoys the perks of a happy pooch.

Make sure to hop on over to bukit to get all those grooming essentials – delivered right to your door.