6 Basic Hygiene Tips To Keep Your Puppy Healthy

puppy hygieneA responsible dog owner is the one who is concerned about his pet’s health. The basic things that have the greatest influence on the dog’s health are its diet mad hygiene. This becomes all the more important if you own a puppy because it is still in the growing stages. When it comes to canine hygiene, it is not only about giving the pet an occasional bath. Typically, the hygiene routine of your puppy involves a lot more; from brushing its teeth to grooming the paws, cleaning the ears, and more. Let’s go through the basic hygiene tips that would be effective for keeping your puppy in great healthy.

1.Bathing

Over-bathing your puppy can be the biggest mistake that you can make. Most owners tend to do it as they do want a dirty pet leaping in the bed or lying around the house. However, puppies do not need bathing as a part of the daily routine. In fact, your pup’s veterinarian would usually suggest bathing it once in three months. More frequent baths are requiring for long-haired puppies or the active ones that love to roll around. A bath in a couple of months is good enough. Pet parents need to realize that over-bathing them could have side effects such as irritation, flaking, and dullness of the coat.

2.Brushing

Your pup’s dental care is another responsibility that you cannot overlook at any cost as periodontal disease is perhaps the most common canine condition. It happens due to lack of proper brushing which may lead to tartar buildup and gum problems. Periodontal disease is a serious issue as it can cause serious bacterial infections, which could turn lethal if untreated. For this reason, pet owners need to maintain a daily brushing routine for their pets. Though you can use a specialized canine toothbrush, it is preferable to clean the pup’s teeth with fingers. This is a good habit to cultivate from a young age as your pup will become habitual to it. It will not nibble your fingers on growing up too.

3.Cleaning eyes and ears

A puppy’s eyes and ears are as sensitive as those of human beings. Extra care is to be taken for cleaning them. The owner should check their eyes daily to identify mucus buildup. If mucus or foreign matter is spotted in or around his eyes, dab the corners with a cotton ball moistened with warm water. Remember that you should not touch the cotton ball directly on the eyes because it may cause fibers getting into the eyes. If you notice persistent mucus buildup or hard foreign substance in the puppy’s eyes, get it checked by a veterinarian. Clean the ears once a week with pet ear cleaning solutions available at a pet pharmacy. Apply it liberally into both the ears and massage the ears’ bottom for 30 seconds. Once done, the puppy will shake its ears to get the solution out. Use a cotton ball to wipe the residual wax and the extra solution from the ear canal. Make sure that you never poke anything in the puppy’s ear. Visit a vet if the puppy does not let you clean its ears or you notice a foul odor emanating from its ears.

4.Cleaning the paws

Cleaning the paws of the pup is another vital element of its hygiene care routine. Paw care is all the more important because this is the body part which is exposed to pollutants, pesticides, mites, pollens, etc. Like bathing, paw cleaning is also not needed daily. It is to be done at least once every month. You can consult your vet or check out websites such as PuppyJoy to learn the right way of paw cleaning. The best way to do it is by rubbing the paws with a wet cloth. Alternatively, you can use a paw soak for proper cleaning. Those who own hairy puppies need to trim and brush the hair that grow between the paws.

5.Cleaning the puppy’s bed

Your pup is like a family member and you should keep its living space pet-friendly. There are certain bed-cleaning rules that you should follow stringently. The pup’s bed is the breeding space for allergens, germs, ticks, and fleas. Therefore, you should make sure that the bed is cleaned regularly to get rid of them and keep your pup in food health. If you are a first time pet owner, follow expert advice when you go shopping for your pet. Buy a bed that has a removable fabric cover so that you can easily wash it if it gets soiled. A routine wash for the bed is recommended twice a month. Dry it properly in the sun before you start using it for your pet again. You should vacuum the bed once a week if the pup sheds.

6.Cleaning the collar

It is not just important to clean the body parts of your puppy but also clean its accessories. The puppy’s collar is likely to smell strange after awhile. You would surely like to dress it in a clean collar after giving it bath. The bathing rule applies to collar cleaning too as you need not wash it frequently. Keep checking it for any foul small or change in color (brown/black). When this happens, just put it in the washer and wash it with a pet-friendly detergent. You can also soak the collar in a bowl of warm water mixed with shampoo. Rinse it with cold water and let it dry completely. The collar is now clean and ready to put back in the pup.

Adhering to these puppy hygiene rules is the key to maintaining good health of your pet. This keeps the pup clean and germ-free, reducing its susceptibility to health issues. Visit an expert veterinary doctor for routine checkups for your puppy. Ask questions about the pet hygiene care routine so that you can implement them for ensuring the best care for the puppy. Talk to fellow pet owners to learn about the routine they follow.