You often change your own bedsheets, but when was the last time you washed your pet’s bed?
If it’s been a while and the smell is unpleasant anymore, then it’s time for a good cleaning. As you can see, dogs can get pretty stinky at times. From rolling in who-knows-what outside to bodily discharges and shedding hair: these foul odors and dirt are not only harmful to your pet’s health but can also pose health risks to anyone in your family member. There can be plenty of things going on in dogs’ beds than meet the nose!
First of all, once your dog’s fur and dander got mixed with dust in the air, it will bring out havoc for members with allergies and asthma. Moreover, experts claim that dogs can carry disease-causing organisms such as fungal, viral, bacterial, and parasitic species. Many of these disease-carrying organisms can live in your dog’s bed for up to 12 months. So, it’s not just the ensuing smell that you should worry about but these things too! On the flip side, however, if your dog’s bed are cleaned frequently, you will not only get rid of the odor-inducing culprits and infections but also reduce airborne pollutants, as well as remove flea and other parasitic eggs that can infest your home–keeping your furry pal and your family safe and healthy. On top of that, your four-legged companion will have a fresher, cleaner place to snooze the day as well. Now, how can you keep your dog’s bed smelling good, clean, and disease-free? Read on to find out.
Choose The Right Dog Bed
Prevention should always be the first step to minimize stains and stench. Nothing will make the job easier than to select a dog bed for your pooch wisely. While dog beds can vary from flat mats, bolsters, orthopedic beds, and heated beds, other most advanced dog beds are designed to diminish odors with waterproof liners, machine-washable covers, removable, hypoallergenic memory foam, and even flea and mold-resistant. Aside from odor-reducing dog beds, “regular” beds for dogs come in a variety of styles and fabrics with or without cover.
Regardless if you choose a bed with waterproof fabric, one of the odor-fighting models, or a washable microfiber dog bed, you have to clean it regularly in order to minimize odors. As advised by many animal specialists, dog owners should wash their dog’s bed once a week or every two weeks, depending on the owner’s sense of smell and their pet’s activities. But if you really want a clean dog bed, then you’ll have to think from the scratch. The manner on how to clean dog bed should be your primary concern when choosing a dog bed for your pooch. Check the tag and instructions if the material and cleaning methods are appropriate for you or not. Can the bed cover be removed? Does the dog bed fit your washing machine? Always consider these factors before purchasing a dog bed.
Give Your Dog A Bath
As most people say, “the smellier the dog, the smellier the bed will be.” So besides picking the right bed for your dog, you should also learn about grooming your dogs at home as your best defense against bad stench and dirt.
For instance, since dog fur and dander can be a source of odor, it’s a good idea to give your pet regular brushing to reduce shedding. That way, you can control where the excess loose hairs end up. However, if this is not enough, then it’s time to bathe your dog. Bathing your pooch is one of the preventive ways to fend off dog hairs from getting all over your home and keeping the dog bed’s foul smell at bay. But be cautious about the supplies that you will use for your dog as others like shampoos can have harsh chemicals that can harm your dog. In this case, a mild hypoallergenic soap that’s formulated for veterinary use is necessary. Moreover, while it’s not advisable to bathe dogs often–since it decreases the natural oils of the dog–experts also recommend that it’s safe to bathe your dog once a week on the condition that they need “emergency” washing.
Wash The Dog Bed Properly
This one is a no-brainer, but still, it’s also important. Although it’s suggested to follow the care instructions in your dog’s bed label, sometimes we also need to bend the rules especially when we’re dealing with tough stains and icky odors. Here are six tips on how to wash your dog’s bed properly.
Look After Your Dog’s Oral Hygiene
Just like humans, a dog’s hygiene should be checked regularly to keep them in a tip-top shape and their overall well-being in order. Poor oral hygiene can cause health problems that can add to your dog’s stink. If this will be neglected, not only will your dog suffer from dental diseases but also contribute to the awful stench of his dog bed as dogs are known for licking and chewing. Plus, a dog with bad breath can fill your house with an unpleasant musk. Avoid such issues by giving your dog daily brushing, chew snacks or toys, or visiting the vet regularly for your dog’s check-up.
Treat Your Dog With A Healthy Diet
Besides checking your dog’s dental hygiene, you should also treat the source of the smell itself with a good healthy diet. “You are what you eat,” may sound a bit cliche but this still hits true to both humans and animals, respectively. Often, a pet’s reek smell is caused by what’s going on in their coat or skin. While it’s unavoidable to stop this entirely as humans can’t stop themselves from sweating, you can prevent it before it gets serious. To illustrate, if a dog has dry skin, the solution for that is fish oil capsules, which then became the grounds of the unpleasant odor. Alternatively, you can place a dash of olive oil in your dog’s food instead to deal with the dry skin to avoid the displeasing stench. Other remedies you can use for your dog’s diet are coconut oil and green herbs such as wheatgrass and parsley can help remove the stink on your pet. Make sure to consult your dog’s vet first on how to use these natural remedies too.
Use Natural Odor Removers
Most house fresheners, perfumes, and dyes aren’t safe for your pet’s coat. As a replacement, you can remove odors naturally using natural ingredients and other essential oils. Baking soda and white vinegar, in particular, both act as natural deodorizers and cleansers at the same time. You can add them as an ingredient to your laundry to gently clean and remove tough stains and smells.
Essential oils such as lavender oil can be used as a natural perfume for your pet. Just rub it in your dog’s coat after a warm day to help keep Fido smelling sweet and keep ticks and fleas at bay. You can also mist a lavender to your dog’s bedding or around the house since lavender does not only produce a soothing fragrance, it’s also used as antibacterial. Other essential oils that you can use are lemon, tea tree, rosemary, wild orange, eucalyptus, peppermint, and thyme.
Final Tips
From dollar store pet beds to high-end dog beds, washing your dog’s bed regularly will not only expel odors but also reduce germs and bacteria. But as much as you want to maintain your dog and his bedding fresh and odor-free, we can’t still prevent them from rolling, licking, chewing, and any pet activities. That is why it’s still important to keep your home clean. If you’re still particularly sensitive to your dog’s smell, it might be a better idea to get a dog that creates less of it. Though in practice, with an understanding of why pets can be smelly and a careful eye on cleaning, Fido can remain an essential part of your family.
