Why clean your pet? And how?

Naturally, dogs, cats, rabbits, and even birds groom themselves regularly throughout the day. Animals are, instinctively, naturally clean, but there are still unavoidable health dangers that grooming alone won’t solve. When you clean your pet and keep their living area clean, it is for their health, and it is also for the health of you and your family. Like people, all animals carry germs, and pest infestations can be life-threatening to your beloved pet.

Dogs and cats

The significance of proper dog hygiene cannot be underestimated, and knowing how to maintain your pet’s skin and fur can prevent a  lot of problems. Skin infections pose serious risks to your pet and your family.

That is because infections due to pest infestations often transfer into your home. To prevent the issue, bath and brush your dog regularly with dog-friendly shampoo.

What about cats? Felines can spend up to half of their waking hours grooming to cover themselves with their scent and, therefore, generally tend to be aesthetically clean. It’s this grooming habit that can lead to hairballs, by the way.

However, cats that are free to roam around the neighborhood are susceptible to picking up fleas, which again transfer to the house. To help combat this problem, get into the habit of brushing your cat with a fine-toothed flea comb and inspect for areas of matted fur.

Here are a few more things to remember. It’s a good idea to keep your kids away from the grass where there is dog poop, especially when the excrement is not from your family’s pooch.

Ensure the backyard is clear before the kids’ playtime in the backyard and also that your pet cannot access any compost heaps and garbage cans. Remove any old pieces of wood or cardboard boxes too, as they are a tempting place where termites breed.

Termites can cause serious issues. These small but mighty creatures can create expensive structural damage to the home.

If you do suspect there are termites on your property, contact a professional private or commercial pest control company immediately. They have the training, experience, and equipment to handle the problem quickly and easily, so your pet is not at risk of becoming ill.

Other pets to clean

While dogs and cats are common pets, there are others too, of course. Some examples are rabbits, birds, and fish. Below are great reasons to keep them clean, as well as tips to do so:

Rabbits and small animals

When you have a bunny, check its bottom daily. The goal here is to ensure its behind is clean and that the fur is smooth and unmatted.

Not only is this going to keep the cutie feeling comfortable but it also will keep away worms that can live in the feces that stick to fur. Ew!

If required, gently hold the rabbit in a shallow, warm water bath and sponge the bottom area and paws. After washing, gently cut out any matted fur that is still dirty using nail scissors.

Birds and fish

Birds, from small budgies and canaries to large cockatiels and parrots, are just as messy as they are adorable. That is why it’s a good idea to clean everything they touch, including food bowls and plastic toys.

For the deepest clean, use hot water and a scrub brush. For the birdcage itself, keep it thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with a bird-safe cage disinfectant.

And then there is fish. They need you to clean the water tank regularly, as well as all gravel, ornaments, and plastic plants within it.

The tank filter and any attached pipes also need rinsing and washing for safe water conditions. Otherwise, algae and bacteria quickly build in these areas.

Final words on cleaning your pet

As you can see, cleaning your pet is so important! It’s not only for the happiness and health of your cherished pet but also for the safety and health of you and your family.

Do you have any pets? Is cleaning them a challenge or do you have tips to make it easier?