Safe spring cleaning with your dog
The snow is finally melting away, and spring is in the air! This is also the traditional time of year to throw open the windows and do a thorough spring cleaning.
As you create your “plan of attack,” make sure you consider the safety of your dogs, keeping them safe from harsh cleaners and common hazards. Follow these five tips to keep your dog happy and healthy while you celebrate the arrival of spring:
- Window safety. Before you open your windows to welcome the freshness of spring into your home, make sure your window screens are tightly fitted. This will keep your dog safely inside your home and has the added bonus of keeping unwanted pests, like mosquitoes, outside!
- Product safety. It’s important to be aware that using products containing ammonia (e.g., window, stainless steel, oven and floor cleaners), bleach (e.g., toilet bowl cleaners, scouring powders, mildew removers and all-purpose cleansers) or alkaline substances (e.g., lye in pipe, oven and drain cleaners) can cause skin and eye irritation, vomiting and diarrhea, and occasionally wheezing and coughing.
- Clean safely. Keep your dog in a different room while you scrub and clean, and keep your home well-ventilated to protect both you and your dog! Contact your veterinarian right away if you suspect your dog has been exposed to chemicals.
- Wash the bedding…The dog bedding, that is! Not only can dog blankets, beds and towels get smelly and dirty, they can harbor bacteria, allergens and even fleas! First, vacuum your dog’s bed to remove excess fur and dirt.
- For beds with removable covers, remove the cover and check to see if it’s machine washable. Wash it at your machine’s highest temperature setting using a non-toxic detergent, and use an extra cycle to make sure all the detergent is rinsed. Air it dry or use the dryer on the lowest temperature setting.
- Hand-wash a bed with a non-removable cover using non-toxic detergent, allowing it to soak for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it thoroughly, wring out the excess water and allow it to dry outside in a sunny location.
- Toss the toys! Just like dog bedding, dog toys can harbor bacteria. They can also be a breeding ground for fungi and yeast. Thoroughly wash the toys you (or your dog) want to keep and toss those that are looking a little worse for wear.
Enjoy a stress-free spring with your dog and savor the warmer weather now that it’s finally here! Stay connected with free 24/7 Live Chat* on the myVCA™ app.
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*Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
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