10 Common Hygiene Tips for Pet Owners

Keeping a clean house when you have pets can be a headache. However, maintaining a healthy environment is essential to prevent infectious diseases and maintain the good health of all family members. Dog and cat with their master on the sofa Maintaining impeccable hygiene at home is essential. 

To prevent the proliferation of bacteria and keep a clean house in all circumstances, even when you have a dog or a cat (or both, or even several!) a few simple rules must be followed. Here are the best 10 tips to maintain impeccable hygiene in a home with pets.

photo of orange tabby cat with red handkerchief
  1. Clean your cat’s litter box daily

If the scent from your cat’s litter box isn’t enough to get you to take action and clean the box every day, keep in mind that a dirty litter box is a breeding ground for germs. In particular, we can find toxoplasma gondii, the parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease transmissible to humans (zoonotic) which can cause congenital anomalies in the children of infected pregnant women. Litter boxes serve as breeding grounds for parasites that can be transmitted to humans, especially children. 

Therefore, it is essential to clean the litter box daily. After emptying the litter box, wash the box with mild soap and dry it completely. If you notice urine stains, you can use an enzymatic cleaner that will eat away the organic matter. 

  1. Wash your pet’s bedding

Regularly clean your dog or cat’s bedding of dead hair, especially if you or any of your family members suffers from asthma or allergies. A vacuum cleaner or an adhesive roller is necessary to remove the hair.  Also, replace careful washing of the covers at least once a week.

Use a mild, fragrance-free detergent to wash the bedding and its covers. Be sure to let it dry well. Remember that a poorly maintained pet bedding can produce a variety of harmful bacteria and parasites.

  1. Use the right household products

It is important to use good quality natural products while cleaning your house as your cat’s worms can spread throughout the entire home. Some household products are toxic to pets. Opt for natural cleaners, especially for floors and carpets. For example, some home cleaning solutions can irritate the respiratory system of dogs and cats.

In general, a dose of mild soap in warm water is sufficient. To disinfect the floors, you can use a little diluted bleach. There are natural cleaners made especially for homes with pets. Some use natural enzymes to remove stains from the floor and disinfect surfaces.

  1. Wash your hands after each contact

Caress your dog or cat as much as possible and never neglect the contact. However, follow the basic rule: wash your hands with soap after playing, feeding, brushing, and cuddling your pet. Washing your hands regularly reduces the risk of spreading several zoo noses, such as salmonellosis and ringworm.

  1. Properly store pet food

You wouldn’t eat food that’s been out overnight, so why should your pet? To avoid the proliferation of bacteria, store dry foods in airtight containers. Wet foods must be kept cool and consumed quickly after opening. 

Do not store the pet food in open air containers or outdoors. This would attract pests, carriers of parasites. If you feed your pet raw food, you need to take even more precautions because bacterial contamination is higher.

  1. Wash food and water bowls with soap

Food and water bowls need your full attention. Indeed, when your pet drinks and eats, it necessarily deposits saliva in its bowls, a vector of bacteria. The bowls must therefore be washed every day, especially if your companion has the habit of not finishing his plate.

Also, pay attention to water fountains, and change the filters regularly to prevent limescale and mold deposits.

  1. Be vigilant for fleas and ticks

Fleas and ticks can be the cause of many diseases in pets. So, offer your pet a regular antiparasitic treatment to remove the parasites on its skin and fur. Antiparasitic treatment saves pets and pet owners from harmful parasites.

  1. Vacuum pet hair from floors and furniture

Regular vacuuming of the floors and furniture is essential when you have pets to remove hair. Whether you are allergic or not, remember that our pets can also suffer from asthma and dust mite allergies, for example. 

Regularly vacuuming the floor and furniture can reduce the level of allergens in the house. Clean the rugs and carpets every four to six months to kill bacteria, dust mites, and fleas and stains can be removed using enzymatic cleaners.

  1. Wash and replace your pets’ toys

Your dog or cat’s toys also need washing and cleaning. Wash the toys in hot soapy water and disinfect them with bleach diluted in water. Be sure to rinse and dry toys thoroughly before returning them to their owner. A poorly cleaned object can lead to skin infections, among other things.

Soft toys and other textile items can be machine washed at 60°, but must be replaced immediately if they pose a risk to the animal. (For example, if the soft toy is torn and the animal can ingest the stuffing).

10. Clean your outdoor spaces

Picking up pet droppings from the lawn is no one’s favorite activity. However, droppings in the garden must be picked up as soon as possible, especially if other animals or children are playing on the same ground. 

Feces can be fertile for E. coli, salmonella, giardia, roundworms, and toxoplasmosis, among others. Remember to wear gloves and dispose of excrement in bags provided for this purpose.

Summing Up

In conclusion, maintaining proper hygiene when you have pets is crucial for the health and well-being of both humans and animals. Following these hygiene tips can help pet owners prevent the spread of infectious diseases and create a clean living environment. 

Regular cleaning of litter boxes, washing pet bedding, storing pet food properly, washing food and water bowls, being vigilant for fleas and ticks, is essential for pet owners. In addition, vacuuming pet hair, washing and replacing pet toys, cleaning outdoor spaces, and using the right household products helps you maintain impeccable hygiene. 

By establishing a routine and sticking to it, pet owners can ensure a healthy and safe living environment for their pets and family members. 

Krystal | Sunny Sweet Days
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