How often should I wash my dog?
If you have a dog (or any other pet that needs outdoor time), theres no need to put protective gear (i.e., face masks or paw coverings) on them when going outside, Dr. Sara Ochoa, a Texas-based veterinarian, tells CNBC Make It.
But since all animals can carry germs that make people sick, she says its never a bad idea to practice good pet hygiene and clean their paws after coming back from walks.
However, she adds, one of the biggest mistakes people make is using products that can be toxic for animals. Ochoa says shes treated several dogs with inflamed or infected skin after their owners used disinfectant wipes on them.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, you should avoid ingredients like alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide or chemical compounds that contain the word “phenol.”
“A gentle baby shampoo and water will do the trick,” says Ochoa. “Just like hand-washing protocol for people, wash your pets paws for 20 seconds before rinsing off.” She also recommends applying coconut oil on their paws if you notice any itching or dryness.
As far as dog-bathing goes, its generally advised to do it at least once a month (although frequency may depend on the type of coat they have). When in doubt, use your judgement; if theyre dirty or start to smell, its probably time for a bath.
When to disinfect:
How to clean and disinfect pet items
Most pet items have cleaning instructions on the packaging or tags. Follow the cleaning instructions.
For pet items without cleaning instructions, you can use these methods:
- Clean and disinfect using a washing machine and dryer.
- Why? Cleaning using soapy water physically removes most germs and dirt from surfaces, so that the disinfectant can reach and kill the remaining germs on the surfaces.
- Why? This gives the bleach solution enough time to kill germs on the item.
- Why? If you don’t, your pet may lick the bleach solution on the item, or the bleach solution may get on their skin. This can cause irritation and hurt your pet.
- Why? This gives the disinfectant enough time to kill germs on the item.
- Why? Most disinfectants are toxic when wet but are safe when dry.
Some websites may recommend vinegar as a pet-safe way to clean or disinfect items.
However, there is currently not enough research showing how well vinegar removes dirt (cleans) or kills germs (disinfects). Vinegar can kill some germs when it is on an item’s surface for a long enough time, but it does not kill all germs.
This is why CDC recommends using soap or detergent for removing dirt and disinfectants for killing germs. Disinfectants are safe to use around your pets if you follow the safety tips below. Your veterinarian uses disinfectants to prevent the spread of diseases in animal clinics or hospitals too.
How to Disinfect a Kennel
Your pets are part of your family. Check out these 5 simple tips from an expert veterinarian on how to kill germs and keep your pets safe and healthy.