3 Simple Ways to Improve Your Dog’s Hygiene
Improving your dog’s hygiene is good for its health and an important habit you must cultivate to keep your living space looking clean and smelling nice.
As a pet owner, you know the perks of owning a dog. Aside from their warmth and unending energy, there comes the responsibility of cleaning up after them and ensuring they are in their best hygiene state.
Now, this is not something you can do by snapping your fingers; it requires patience and a clear understanding of the most basic and essential things (some of which we’re about to unveil) you need to do to help your dog stay clean.
So, relax and, if possible, grab a snack while we explore some of these simple but efficient ways to improve your dog’s hygiene.
Groom Them Regularly
When I say “groom,” I don’t mean the usual occasional dog bath. Grooming your furry friend includes other activities like brushing your dog’s coat, bathing her regularly, trimming her nails, cleaning the wax from her ears, taking good care of her dental health, and getting her anal glands expressed.
Now, it’s important you understand that not every one of these tasks you must carry out yourself, and even at that, the ones you can handle must be done correctly and with every sense of caution.
Brushing
While it’s essential to brush your dog’s coat daily to remove dirt, and loose fur, and prevent matting, you have to consider your dog’s breed and if it’s the type that needs to be brushed every day. A quick chit-chat with your veterinarian should sort this out.
Bathing
You don’t have to bathe your dog daily (except when she rolls in on something smelly). However, you should try to wash her regularly (like once or twice a week), and when you do, avoid the urge to use your skin care products (like shampoo), as they can be too harsh on her skin. Instead, get a dog-specific shampoo that will help her smell nice and protect her skin.
Nail Trimming
Allowing your dog’s nails to grow excessively can affect their health and cause injuries. You have to trim their nails regularly. If you don’t have the tools to do it or are worried you’d hurt your furry friend, consult a professional groomer or vet to handle it.
Ear Cleaning
It’s essential for your dog’s hygiene that you regularly inspect her ears for wax buildup, dirt, or signs of infection. If there’s an infection, contact your vet immediately; otherwise, if it’s just a wax buildup, use a veterinarian-recommended ear cleaner to clean her ears gently.
Teeth Care
Most pet owners overlook their dog’s dental hygiene, but that should not be you. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly, and book a dog teeth cleaning session with your vet periodically to ensure any implications are detected early on.
Taking this proactive step will help your dog stay healthy and prevent them from developing gum diseases and tooth decay that could cause them enormous pain and a mental breakdown.
Anal Gland Expression
Depending on your dog’s breed, you may have to express their anal glands regularly. Please talk with your vet; they should be in the best position to advise you on how to proceed.
Create a Conducive Living Environment
A clean environment is beneficial for both you and your pet’s well-being. It improves your dog’s hygiene and provides a clean and serene environment for you to thrive and enjoy every moment with your furry friend.
Creating a conducive living space is a process that takes time, but with the following simple steps, you can achieve it.
Clean Up Regularly
To keep your home smelling nice and fresh, you have to add regular cleanup to your routine. This can be done twice a week, during weekends, or daily (if you work remotely).
The goal is to control allergens and prevent foul odors. So, ensure you wash your dog’s bedding and toys, vacuum and mop your floors to remove pet hair and dirt, and carry out any other needed cleanup tasks that will help create a serene and hygienic environment for you and your pet.
Potty Train Your Dog
If you’re a pet owner with young children, then it’s advisable to invest your time in potty training your furry friend. This will help reduce the time it will take to clean up after them when they eliminate waste in your home.
Potty training a dog is not easy; it requires patience and commitment, but it’s worth the investment as your home will smell better and look cleaner. If you don’t know how to go about it, contact your vet; they will guide you on what to do.
Provide Balanced Nutrition and Hydration
Improving your furry friend’s hygiene is not limited to her environment; her diet also greatly enhances her health and hygiene.
Providing your pet with the required nutrition helps improve her skin health, coat, and internal digestive systems. It also helps boost her immune system and protect her oral health.
However, you must understand that the term “balanced nutrition” has a very broad concept and isn’t limited to food only. Providing your pet with balanced nutrition includes:
Giving Her High-Quality Dog Food
You must ensure that whatever food you give your dog can fulfill her nutritional needs. The ingredients and nutrients may vary depending on her age, size, breed, and activity level.
However, the food should contain animal protein and an appropriate balance of fat and carbohydrates. Also, ensure it does not have artificial additives and fillers, as these artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives may harm her health.
Contact your vet before making any nutritional decisions for your dog; they will guide you on the best course of action to take.
Work on Portion Control
It’s not good to overfeed your dog. While you may believe this is a way to show you love her, it’s actually dangerous to her health and can lead to obesity, which can cause many health problems for her along the line.
Hence, it’s essential to follow the feeding guide on her food packaging or stick to your vet’s advice on how you should feed her. This will ensure she’s eating properly and staying fit.
Prioritizing Hydration
Dehydration is dangerous and can lead to dry skin and other health problems for your dog. To prevent your dog from dehydrating, ensure she can always access fresh water.
Provide Her with Supplements
Depending on the type of dog you have, supplements may be a great addition to her diet and can improve her skin and coat health. However, you must consult your veterinarian before including any supplements in her meals.
Wrapping Up
Having a dog as a pet is one of the greatest privileges in life; they fill us with their energy, curiosity, playfulness, and adventure. Their presence alone is enough to brighten any mood and bring joy.
However, like every living thing, they must be cared for and protected. This includes their hygiene, which in one way or another affects their health and ours too.
So, make good use of the advice on this blog to improve your dog’s hygiene and help them stay clean and safe for themselves and you.
