Soap.Club Encourages Pet Owners to be More Vigilant with Hygiene

With the rising number of health risks on pets associated with poor hygiene in America, natural soap maker Soap.Club encourages pet owners to look beyond occasional bathing in terms of canine hygiene. Aside from taking a bath, dog owners should be pro-active in checking dental health, maintaining clean dog beds, and de-slobbering chew toys. Founder Connie Farrar highlights 6 routines to improve a pet's hygiene.

Bath time is crucial for pets however, survey reveals that most pet owners tend to overdo it. Soap.Club says it shouldn't be done as frequently as many people think. “Most pet owners over-bathe their dogs. Of course, who would want a filthy pup on the couch?,” said Farrar. Veterinarians recommend for dogs to be bathed once every three months.

Active dogs, long-haired dogs, and dogs who enjoy rolling in things should be bathed more frequently. However, average dogs are good with one bath every couple of months. Frequent bathing can irritate the skin. Use non-toxic shampoo variants like natural dog shampoos.

"Pet owners should pay attention to dental hygiene," said Farrar. Periodontal disease, the most common disease among dogs, is formed in the gums and often caused by tartar build up on the teeth. If not treated, it can cause serious side effects including bacterial infections that could be lethal. The easiest way to avoid this is to make teeth brushing a habit. There’s a special toothbrush designed for dogs however, the fastest way to do it is by using the fingers.

“Start training them on teeth brushing when they’re young so that they'll get used to it and prevent accidents,” said Farrar.

Aside from soiled diapers, medical studies revealed that the dog bed is the second most frequent breeding ground for germs and parasites. A dog’s bed is a haven for fleas, ticks, germs, and allergens. Soap.Club advises pet owners to invest in a dog bed with a removable fabric cover that can thrown into the washing machine twice a month. For shedding dogs, beds should be vacuumed at least once a week.

Next, it is important to clean the toys as these often go into the dog’s mouth. Wash toys at least once a month for safe playing. Clean the toys using water-diluted bleach to clean non-soft toys. Or, for a greener alternative, use a half-water and half vinegar solution.

Farrar also mentioned the need to regularly clean a dog's paws as these can carry whatever they get from playing outside like pollens, dust, and mites."Clean their paws at least once a month with a paw soak or rub down with a wet cloth," said Farrar. For those who have a hairy dog, trim and brush the hairs between their toes. Cleaning the paws regularly will lessen the frequency of paw chewing and licking.

Last but not the least, Soap.Club reminds pet owners to regularly clean their dog's collar. After a while, a dog’s collar can start to smell funky. Don’t ever slap a dirty collar after bathing. Best to toss it in the washing machine first with a pet friendly detergent for a quick wash. Owners may also soak it in a bowl of hot water and dog shampoo. Do a final rinse with cold water.