Dogs make us feel good! They have the ability to lower our stress levels, get us physically active, keep us company, and put a smile on our faces. Their benefit to human health – both mental and physical – has been widely documented. It’s no wonder that dog ownership has increased dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, a dog’s paws, mouth and fur all carry plenty of germs and bacteria. So, in order to stay fit and well there are additional health and hygiene measures that dog owners should implement to ensure their wellbeing. We detail 5 health and hygiene tips for dog owners to help you and your dog to stay fit and healthy.
Keep your dog’s vaccinations and parasite treatments up to date
This is very important to keep your dog healthy and to avoid preventable diseases and infections.
Wash your hands frequently
Handwashing is a critical element in the ability to stay well during a global pandemic. We are all needing to wash our hands more thoroughly and more frequently than perhaps we did before. After any interaction with your dog (petting or playing with the dog) it is important to wash your hands. Handwashing should also be done after holding a dog toy, the lead, the dog bed or any dog bedding. Ensure your hands are thoroughly washed before eating or preparing food.
Sanitise your pet’s dining area
It’s very important to regularly clean the food and water bowls, but not with other household crockery. Placing the dog bowls on a rubber mat which can be regularly cleaned and sanitised makes it even easier to keep the area clean.
Mop your floors
When a dog is coming in and out of the house, you need to be more thorough with cleaning the floor. Wipe your dog’s paws with a clean, dry towel. Clean and disinfect your floors frequently to minimise the spread of germs and bacteria.
Protect your car’s boot
Hygiene measures for the boot of the car are sometimes overlooked. However, keeping your car boot’s interior hygienic after dog walks is also easy to do. Simply adding a vehicle-specific rubber boot liner allows for an easy wipe over with an antibacterial solution. No mud, no fur, just a clean and fresh car.
Stay safe, stay well!
