Pet ownership comes with many responsibilities, including a lot of extra cleaning.
“Pet parents might think of cleaning as a chore,” says Jennifer Bruns, a veterinary epidemiologist at PetSmart. “However, it is an important part of creating a healthy environment for both people and pets. In veterinary public health, we recognize that pets and people share the same spaces, which means that keeping those environments clean plays an important role in everyone’s health and well-being.”
Staying on top of cleaning your pet’s belongings, as well as the areas where they sleep, eat and romp, helps keep everyone in your household happy and healthy. It also prevents your home from smelling like a kennel.
Food and water bowls
Rebecca Greenstein, a veterinary medical adviser at Rover, says that when it comes to cleaning, the most commonly overlooked items are pets’ food and water bowls. “Ideally, both should be cleaned daily,” she says, “and more often if your pet eats canned food. Dirty dishes can favor bacterial overgrowth, leading to potential [gastrointestinal] upset and skin irritation or infection.” Dishwasher-safe bowls can be cleaned in a normal or sanitizing cycle, or washed by hand with soap and water.
Pet food storage containers
If you pour your pet’s food into storage containers instead of keeping it in its original packaging, make sure to clean them regularly to prevent foodborne sickness. “Food storage containers can harbor parasites such as dust mites and molds,” says Ronit Berdugo, a veterinary partner at SynergyLabs. “These should be cleaned monthly with hot, soapy water.”
Pet beds and bedding
Regular cleaning is also a must for pet bedding. “Soft surfaces can harbor dead skin cells, food particles, urine and fecal residue, fur and bodily fluids, as well as dirt and debris from outdoors,” Greenstein says. Wash pet bedding, including small items such as blankets or pillows, with unscented detergent. “Always check the care tag for the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions,” Bruns says, “but in general, wash with warm to hot water and an extra rinse cycle. Choosing a bed with a removable, washable cover can make routine cleaning much easier.”
Crates
Crates and carriers also require routine cleaning. “Many crates are lined with a mattress that people don’t look under regularly,” Greenstein says. Wipe them with a pet-safe cleaning product and allow them to dry thoroughly before returning mattresses and other bedding. Greenstein recommends wiping crates every two to four weeks, unless your pet’s health or lifestyle calls for more frequent cleaning.
Pet clothing
“Just like bedding, pet sweaters, jackets, raincoats and boots can trap fur, saliva, moisture and dirt, favoring the overgrowth of yeast and bacteria and leading to unpleasant odors and skin irritation,” Greenstein says. “Frequency of cleaning will depend on the nature of the fabric, how often your pet wears it and the level of soilage, but anywhere from weekly to monthly.”
Leashes and collars
Your dog’s leash harbors a lot of germs and bacteria thanks to daily handling, and the collar, in particular, should be cleaned monthly to protect your dog’s neck. “Dirty collars can contribute to skin irritation and hair loss along the neck,” Berdugo says. “These fabrics can accumulate oils from the skin, parasites, dirt and environmental allergens.” He recommends washing fabric collars by hand and cleaning leather collars according to the manufacturer’s instructions at least once a month. “Pets wearing collars while swimming and spending time in humid and dirty environments may need more frequent cleaning.”
Toys
“Given that most toys end up getting covered in slobber and dragged across the floor or taken outside, they can get pretty gross,” Greenstein says. “Frequency of cleaning will depend on use and level of soilage, but generally once every week or so.” Put plush toys in a mesh bag to protect them from damage, and machine-wash them in hot water with unscented detergent. Hard toys made of rubber, silicone or plastic can be washed with warm, soapy water or in the dishwasher. “Interactive puzzle toys and treat-dispensing toys deserve extra attention,” Bruns says. “Food residue left behind after play can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, potentially posing a health risk to both pets and people.” Wash these types of toys after each use, in the dishwasher if the manufacturer’s guidelines say it is safe or by hand. (A small brush can help get into hard-to-clean nooks and crannies.)
Grooming tools
Grooming tools such as slicker brushes and flea combs can harbor parasites, environmental allergens and dander, which Berdugo says contribute to skin irritation and disease. “Wash after each use with hot, soapy water and shampoo for dogs and cats.”
Litter boxes
In addition to daily scooping to remove clumps of urine and feces, Berdugo recommends cleaning and disinfecting litter boxes weekly. “Using a liner within the box may be helpful to remove soiled litter,” he says. “Sanitize the outside of the box, as cats can mistakenly soil the sides and edges, and clean areas where you see stray litter outside of the box, as those areas can also harbor odors.”
Floors and carpets
Berdugo recommends that pet owners vacuum several times a week and mop weekly, in addition to immediately cleaning areas that pets have soiled. “Not doing so can result in repeated soiling episodes in the same location,” he says. In addition to regular vacuuming, Bruns suggests “shampooing carpets and rugs every few months, or more frequently if your pets are prone to accidents,” which can help remove deep stains and odors.
Large furniture, including human beds
Most pets spend time lounging on the furniture, leaving couches, chairs and beds covered in dander, hair and saliva. How often to vacuum furniture depends on the pet — animals that have longer hair or skin health issues require more frequent cleaning than hypoallergenic pets or ones that don’t shed as much. “Keep in mind that your pet also brings in allergenics, dust and pollen on their coat from the outside space,” Bruns says. If your pet sleeps in bed with you, wash sheets weekly and launder bedding such as comforters, duvets, blankets, pillows and mattress pads every one to two months. “Bedding is an ideal environment for flea eggs to hatch and fleas to mature,” Berdugo says. “Dander and oils from the skin can contribute to odors and an unsanitary environment.”
Vacuum cleaners
“Upright and handheld vacuums can get tangled or clogged with pet hair, which reduces their suction,” Greenstein says. Monthly cleaning will keep vacuums in good working order and can help keep them from taking on a pettish odor. Consult the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning your vacuum, which includes emptying the bag or bin, removing hair stuck in the vacuum head, rinsing removable parts, and cleaning or replacing filters.
HVAC and air purifier filters
HVAC filters and air purifiers typically require more frequent maintenance in homes with pets. “Pet hair, dander and dust can quickly accumulate in filters, reducing their ability to effectively capture airborne particles,” Bruns says. “As filters become clogged, they become less efficient, allowing more pet dander and allergens to remain in the air, which can affect both indoor air quality and people or pets with allergies.” She recommends replacing and/or cleaning filters more frequently than the manufacturer’s standard guidelines, “particularly in multi-pet households or during periods of heavy shedding.”
The post 13 things pet owners should clean regularly to keep everyone healthy and happy appeared first on Washington Post.
