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"Pets are family." Nowadays, more and more households consider pets as important members of their daily lives, spending time playing, feeding, and grooming them every day. However, they often overlook "hygiene details"—such as leaving a pet's bed unwashed for half a month, wiping a dog's feet but neglecting to clean the gaps between its claws after a walk, or failing to wash hands promptly after feeding pets. These seemingly minor oversights may pose potential health risks.

The core of pet ownership is "companionship and shared health." Proper hygiene management not only reduces illnesses and keeps pets more energetic, but also prevents family members from developing skin itching, gastrointestinal discomfort, and other issues related to pet ownership. Today, we'll explore six essential hygiene precautions to prioritize during pet care, along with four common health risks and their prevention methods, helping you effortlessly safeguard the well-being of both you and your furry companion.

1、    First, clarify the core of "pet hygiene": it is not "excessive cleaning", but "precise protection"

When it comes to pet hygiene, many people fall into two extremes: either they think that "pets are naturally clean and do not need frequent maintenance", or they fall into "excessive cleaning anxiety", showering their pets every day and spraying disinfectant all over the family. In fact, the key to scientific pet hygiene management is "precise protection" - targeting high-frequency scenes of pets' daily activities, areas prone to dirt and grime accumulation, and areas that may spread hidden dangers, doing moderate cleaning to prevent pets from getting injured due to excessive cleaning, and to prevent hygiene blind spots from threatening the health of family members.

For example, pet hair, claws, and mouth are areas that are prone to dirt and bacteria, and need to be cleaned regularly; Pet beds, food bowls, and toys are the most frequently touched items in daily life and need to be replaced or disinfected regularly; After interacting with family members and pets (such as feeding, grooming, and holding pets), timely hand cleaning can avoid most potential hazards. Simply put, pet hygiene does not need to be comprehensive, but it must focus on the key points and use reasonable methods to balance pet comfort and family health.

2、    6 pet hygiene precautions: Can be done daily without effort to protect health

These 6 precautions cover the four major scenarios of pet "eating, living, transportation, and play", with simple operation and low cost. It can be completed in 10-20 minutes per day, suitable for all pet owning families.

1.       Pet "food bowl and water bowl": Clean daily to prevent bacteria from accumulating more and more

Pet food and water bowls are the "hardest hit areas" for bacterial growth - residual cat food and dog food are prone to moisture and mold, and the water in the water bowl can breed microorganisms if not changed for a long time. Pets using such food bowls to drink water and eat for a long time can easily cause gastrointestinal discomfort; If family members are not careful when cleaning the food bowl, they may also come into contact with bacteria.

The correct approach:

Food basin: After each pet finishes eating, rinse with warm water and thoroughly clean 1-2 times a week with detergent. After washing, air dry before use to avoid dampness and bacterial growth; If it is a ceramic or stainless steel food bowl, it can be washed once a month with boiling water to help disinfect.

Water bowl: Change fresh drinking water 1-2 times a day, rinse the water bowl with clean water before each water change; Clean once a week with detergent, especially the "mouth watermark" on the edge of the water bowl, carefully wipe it clean.

Caution: Do not use plastic food and water bowls, as plastic can easily cause scratches, accumulate dirt, and be difficult to clean. Long term use may lead to oral problems in pets; Avoid placing the food bowl in damp places such as balconies and bathrooms, as damp environments can accelerate bacterial growth.

2.       Pet "Hair Care": Regular combing and deworming to prevent "floating hair" and "parasites" from coming knocking on your door

Whether it is a cat or a dog, their hair is a "big hiding place for dirt and grime" - outdoor dust, pollen, and dander will adhere to their hair, which can easily become tangled if not cleaned for a long time, and even breed parasites (such as fleas and lice); When pets shed their fur, floating fur may stick to sofas, clothes, and beds, and family members may experience skin itching, sneezing, and other symptoms upon contact.

The correct approach:

Combing: Short haired pets should be combed with a needle comb once a day for 5 minutes each time; Long haired pets use a comb and needle comb to comb for 10 minutes each time, focusing on areas such as armpits, abdomen, and inner thighs that are prone to tangling, and promptly cleaning up floating hair.

Deworming: Perform external deworming (such as deworming drops) on pets once a month, and internal deworming every three months. Especially for dogs that frequently go out, the frequency of deworming should not be reduced; If small black or white spots are found in the pet's hair during grooming, or if the pet frequently scratches the skin, it is necessary to check for parasites in a timely manner.

Attention: Do not bathe pets frequently. Dogs should bathe 1-2 times a month, and cats should bathe once every 3-4 months. Overbathing can damage the oil layer of pet skin, leading to dryness and more severe hair loss; When taking a shower, use pet specific shower gel. The pH value of human shower gel is not suitable for pets and can irritate the skin.

3.       Pet "Claw Cleaning": It is necessary to wash after walking the dog, and do not ignore the dirt in the "crevices"

Pet paws come into contact with the ground every day and can get dirty with dust, soil, and bacteria. Especially after dogs go out for walks, there may be small stones, weeds, and fecal residues hidden in the gaps between their paws. If not cleaned in a timely manner, it can not only dirty the floor and sofa of the house, but also cause pet paws to become inflamed and infected. Family members can also easily get bacteria after contact.

The correct approach:

After walking the dog: Soak a towel in warm water and carefully wipe the soles, toe crevices, and foot pads of the paws, especially cleaning the soil and small stones in the toe crevices; If the paws are particularly dirty, they can be washed with a pet specific foot cup or warm water. After washing, dry them with a dry towel to avoid moisture causing the foot pads to crack.

Cats: Although most cats do not go out, they occasionally step into the litter box and rub against dust. Use a damp tissue to wipe their paws once a day, with a focus on cleaning their feet and toe crevices; Regularly check the nails on the cat's paws, and trim them with a pet nail clipper if they are too long to avoid scratching family members or hooking onto fabrics.

Caution: Do not let pets bring dirty paws to bed or on the sofa. It is best to place a foot towel at the door to form the habit of "wiping their paws first when entering"; If a pet's paws have wounds or redness, they should be cleaned promptly with pet specific disinfectant wipes to avoid infection.

4.       Pet "Nests and Toys": Clean weekly to prevent residual "mites" and "odors"

Pet beds, mats, and toys are the places where pets spend the longest time in daily life. Dandruff, hair, and saliva will continue to accumulate, and if not cleaned for a long time, it is easy to breed mites, bacteria, and produce odors. Especially in humid areas in the south, mold may also occur, and when family members approach, they are prone to inhaling mites or bacteria, causing skin discomfort.

The correct approach:

Nesting tools: Fabric nests and mats should be washed in a washing machine once a week, using mild laundry detergent. After washing, they should be exposed to sunlight for 4-6 hours. The ultraviolet rays in the sunlight can help kill bacteria and mites; Plastic and rattan nests should be wiped once a week with a damp towel, and gaps should be cleaned with a toothbrush. Pet specific disinfectants should be sprayed once a month and dried before being used by pets.

Toys: Rubber toys and plush toys should be rinsed or wiped with warm water once a week, while plush toys can be machine washed regularly; If chew toys are damaged or deformed, they should be replaced in a timely manner to avoid pets ingesting fragments or breeding bacteria.

Caution: When cleaning pet supplies, do not use highly irritating disinfectants (such as 84 disinfectant), as they may have residual odors that irritate the pet's respiratory tract; In humid weather, you can place a dehumidification bag next to your pet's nest to reduce the growth of mold caused by dampness.

5.       Pet "Oral Care": Clean every week to prevent "bad breath" from becoming a health hazard

Many pet owners tend to neglect their pets' oral hygiene, thinking that "pet bad breath is normal". However, behind bad breath may be dental plaque and tartar, which can lead to gum inflammation, loose teeth, and even affect appetite if left untreated for a long time; If the food residue in the mouth of pets is not cleaned up in time after eating, they may also come into contact with bacteria when family members approach.

The correct approach:

Brushing teeth: Use a pet specific toothbrush and toothpaste to brush your pet's teeth 2-3 times a week. When brushing, be gentle and focus on cleaning the outer side of your teeth and the junction of your gums to avoid excessive force that may cause bleeding; If the pet does not cooperate, you can start with "wiping teeth with finger cots" to help the pet gradually adapt.

Oral hygiene snacks: In daily life, pets can be fed some pet specific dental cleaning sticks and grinding cookies to help rub the surface of their teeth and reduce plaque accumulation; Avoid feeding pets with human snacks such as candy and cookies, as high sugar foods can accelerate the formation of dental plaque.

Caution: Do not use human toothpaste to brush your pet's teeth. Fluoride in human toothpaste is toxic to pets and can cause vomiting and diarrhea; If pets have severe bad breath, or if they notice swollen or bleeding gums while brushing their teeth, they should adjust their diet in a timely manner, reduce their intake of soft foods, and increase their intake of grinding foods.

6.       Family member "cleaning after interaction": Wash hands when in contact with pets to prevent "bacteria" from quietly transferring

When family members interact with pets (such as feeding, grooming, holding pets, cleaning litter boxes, walking dogs), their hands may come into contact with the pet's hair, saliva, and fecal residue. If they do not wash their hands in time, bacteria may spread through "hand mouth" and "hand face", causing gastrointestinal discomfort, skin itching, and other problems. Especially for the elderly, children, and people with sensitive skin, it is important to pay attention to cleaning after interaction.

The correct approach:

After interaction: Wash hands with soap or hand sanitizer, mixed with running warm water, and rub for no less than 20 seconds. Focus on cleaning the palms, backs, finger and nail crevices to ensure thorough cleaning; If it is inconvenient to wash hands, you can use alcohol based hand sanitizer for temporary cleaning, but you still need to wash again with soap and water after returning home.

After cleaning the litter box/feces: It is necessary to wash hands with soap and running water, and disposable gloves can be worn during cleaning to avoid direct contact with feces; Clean the litter box once a day and replace it once a week. After cleaning, wipe the outside of the litter box with a pet specific disinfectant to reduce bacterial residue.

Caution: Do not let pets lick your family's face or mouth, and do not eat, drink, or touch your face without washing your hands after coming into contact with pets; If family members have sensitive skin, they can take a bath with mild shower gel after coming into contact with pets to reduce the risk of skin contact with bacteria.

3、    Prevention of 4 major health hazards in pet raising: avoid them in advance and prevent small problems from becoming troublesome

In addition to daily hygiene management, it is also necessary to prevent the four common health hazards in the process of raising pets in advance, and protect the health of family members and pets from the source.

1.       Prevent "hair allergies": reduce floating hair and keep the environment clean

Many people may experience "allergy" symptoms after raising pets, such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy skin, and red eyes. In fact, most of them are not allergic to the pet's fur itself, but to the dandruff and salivary protein attached to the fur. Especially during the spring and autumn seasons when pets change their fur, hypersensitivity symptoms will be more obvious.

Preventive measures:

Reduce environmental floating hair: Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the floor, sofa, and bed every day, with a focus on cleaning areas where pets often stay; Regularly clean mattresses and sofas with mite removers to reduce dandruff and mite residue; During the hair changing season, pets can wear "anti shedding clothes" to reduce hair loss.

Improve indoor air quality: Open windows for ventilation 2-3 times a day for 30 minutes each time to maintain indoor air circulation; You can place an air purifier indoors and choose a style with a HEPA filter to help filter out floating hair and dandruff in the air.

Allergy protection: Family members with allergies can wear masks and long sleeved clothes when coming into contact with pets to reduce direct skin contact; If allergy symptoms are obvious, try to avoid letting pets enter the bedroom and reduce allergens in the bedroom environment.

2.       Preventing "gastrointestinal discomfort": scientific feeding to avoid "human pet co eating"

The gastrointestinal function of pets is different from that of humans. Many human foods (such as chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, bones) are toxic to pets and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even more serious problems; At the same time, "human pet co eating" (such as feeding human leftovers to pets or using the same set of utensils) may also allow bacteria to spread between humans and pets, causing gastrointestinal discomfort in both parties.

Preventive measures:

Scientific feeding: Feed pets with specialized cat and dog food, avoid feeding human food, especially toxic food; Choose appropriate food based on the age, weight, and breed of the pet, and feed them regularly and in moderation to avoid overeating.

Avoid sharing food with pets: Pets have their own exclusive food and water bowls, and do not share utensils with family members; Do not feed your pets on the table or in the area where they are eating, to avoid cross contamination of food.

Observe the pet's gastrointestinal tract: If the pet experiences vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, etc., adjust the diet in a timely manner, suspend feeding snacks, and give the pet an appropriate amount of warm water. If the symptoms persist, consult a professional in a timely manner.

3.       Prevent "skin problems": avoid scratching by pets and do a good job of skin cleaning

If pets experience skin itching, shedding hair, and redness, they may frequently scratch themselves, which not only easily leads to skin damage and infection, but also may bring bacteria and parasites on the surface of the skin to the sofa or bed at home. Family members may experience skin itching, rash, and other problems after contact.

Preventive measures:

Regularly check pet skin: Every time you comb or bathe your pet, carefully observe whether there are red spots, lumps, dandruff, or depilated areas on the skin, and promptly deal with any abnormalities found; Keep pet skin dry and avoid pets staying in damp areas such as bathrooms and balconies for long periods of time in humid weather.

Prevent pets from scratching family members: Regularly trim the nails of pets to avoid scratching family members with excessively long nails; If pets have a scratching habit, they can be provided with cat scratching boards and dog scratching pads to guide them to scratch in a fixed area, reducing damage to family and furniture.

Family skin protection: If family members have wounds on their skin, they should wear gloves when coming into contact with pets to prevent the wounds from coming into contact with bacteria on the pet's hair; Wash hands in time after contacting pets. People with sensitive skin can apply mild moisturizing lotion after contacting pets to reduce skin irritation.

4.       Prevent "environmental odor": eliminate odor from the source, and do not rely on "masking" perfume

Pet raising families are prone to odor (such as pet feces, body odor, urine odor). Many people will use perfume and air fresheners to cover up odor, but they do not know that the chemical components in these products may stimulate the pet's respiratory tract, or may cause family members to feel dizzy, sneeze and other discomfort; Moreover, the "masking type" deodorization cannot solve the fundamental problem, as odors will repeatedly appear.

Preventive measures:

Source deodorization: Clean pet feces and urine in a timely manner, clean the litter box once a day, and immediately clean the dog's feces with pet specific deodorizing wipes to avoid the spread of odors; When a pet urinates on the ground, dry it with a water absorbing towel and spray it with a pet specific deodorizer to break down the odor molecules instead of masking the odor.

Reduce pet body odor: Regularly comb and bathe pets to keep their fur clean; Pet beds and mats should be cleaned once a week and exposed to sunlight to remove odors; Avoid feeding pets with strong odors (such as internal organs and fish) to reduce pet body odor.

Natural deodorization: Open windows for ventilation every day to allow fresh air to circulate; Put some natural materials that absorb odors indoors (such as activated carbon, grapefruit peel, lemon slices) and replace them regularly to help absorb odors in the air, which is both safe and environmentally friendly.

Pet ownership is not a "whim", but a "long-term responsibility". Good hygiene management and prevention of health hazards are not only responsible for pets, but also for the health of family members. These simple hygiene precautions and prevention methods do not require too much time and money. As long as they are integrated into daily habits, you and your furry friend can maintain a healthy and comfortable state while accompanying each other.

Summary: I hope this article can help you avoid hygiene misconceptions in pet raising and use scientific methods to protect your own and your furry child's health. Starting today, try to clean your pet's paws once, clean the food bowl once, wash your hands carefully after interaction, gradually develop good pet hygiene habits, and make this companionship longer and more reassuring.