The Best Pet Hygiene Tips You Should Be Doing

One of the most essential grooming aspects of having a pet in your home is to bathe them regularly. Use warm water and shampoo specifically for pets once per week to keep your pets smelling fresh and clean. Towel-dry your pet afterward; if you have a long-haired creature, it may be a good idea to give them a quick blow-dry.

Some of the most common illnesses and diseases that affect domestic pets come from fleas and ticks. Yes, we're talking about Lyme, tapeworms, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These are serious conditions that require expensive veterinary treatments, so it's critical that you choose a preventative routine for these nasty bugs and stick to it.

Flea and tick prevention comes in many forms, like collars, liquid drops, or pill tablets. Your vet can recommend the best product for your pet based on its age and species.

One thing often overlooked in pet hygiene routines is cleaning their food and water bowls. Just as you probably wouldn't want to eat your meal out of dirty dishes, your pets don't either.

Contaminated food and water containers can harbor harmful bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, and giardia. These parasites can cause your pet to have nasty gas, upset stomachs, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cleaning your pet's food and water bowls daily will help stop bacteria from growing and spreading.

If you've got a fur baby with long hair or a busy calendar, schedule regular grooming appointments with trained professionals to keep their pet's coat in tip-top shape.

Groomers can help with your pet's hygiene routine by bathing and drying them, cutting their hair and fur, trimming nails, and even expressing anal glands in smaller pets. Even if you bathe your pet regularly at home, a quarterly visit to a professional will keep your pet smelling fresh and looking their best.

While yellow to tan earwax is good, inspecting and removing dirt and grime should be done regularly. Give your pets' ears a good wipe with a damp cloth after each bath, and you should have no issues with buildup.

If your pet is scratching too much, shaking their head, or whining while you touch their ears, they may need a thorough cleaning.

Sorry, but you've got to scoop the litter box daily for proper upkeep. Depending on the number of cats you have, you might have to clean up litter more than once daily. Plan to change your litter entirely and wash the box with mild soap and water at least once per month, if not more.

Never use bleach to clean your litter box — cat urine contains ammonia, which creates mustard gas when mixed with bleach.

Everyone knows the importance of good dental hygiene; the same applies to our pets. Brushing or wiping your pet's teeth regularly is part of a balanced hygiene regimen. You can also find specially designed chew toys and treats that help keep your pet's teeth fresh and clean in between brushings.

Your pet will thank you for providing a diet of high-quality food that can help maintain good health.

Cheap pet food usually contains many by-products and fillers instead of the valuable nutrients your pet needs to look its best. Choosing a quality food brand can help maintain your pet's health and appearance while providing them with a balanced diet.

Like most cloth items, bedding and toys can harbor dirt, dust, and nasty bugs.

Cleaning these items regularly with hot water and soap will help keep allergens out of your home and smelling much less like a pet lives there.

Frequent nail trimming will keep your pet's nails from growing too long. If you have cats, provide them with the proper space for scratching and clawing between nail trims.

Walking your dog on concrete is another great way to keep their nails filed between trimmings.