Dirty bedding and food and water bowls can have a negative effect on your dog’s health. They also produce bad smells that will make your house smell. Keeping your dog, their environment and their toys, bedding and bowls clean is an important part of their health. Here are some simple tips for cleaning and sterilising your dogs belongings:
How To Keep Your Dog Toys, Bedding & Bowls Clean
Posted by PetDirect on 5th May 2021
Food and water bowls
Wash your dog’s food and water bowl every day in hot, soapy water using antibacterial soap. Make sure you rinse them thoroughly to get all soap off. Some food, such as wet food, can harden and stick to your dog’s bowl so you may want to soak these dishes in the hot water. This will make the food easier to remove and the bowl easier to clean. Always wash your dog’s bowls separately to your own dishes for hygiene reasons. If you prefer to use the dishwasher, just remove any dried food and add the dishes to your regular load. Due to their high heat, the dishwasher will sterilise your dog’s bowls.
Top tip: Have at least two sets of food and water bowls on hand, so you always have a spare whilst the others are being washed. The Beco Eco-Friendly Pet Bowl is a perfect choice because, not only is it dishwasher safe, it’s made from plant fibres that are 100% sustainable and toxin free. For your dog's water, try a water fountain which has an activated carbon filter to remove bad tastes and odours. It's also dishwasher safe, except for the pump.
Toys
It is important to determine whether the toy can be washed. Then, wash in hot, soapy water. Soak for a while if there is stubborn food or treats stuck to the toy. Toys such as the KONG Classic, KONG Extreme, KONG Wobbler or any rubber KONG toys are perfect for washing after use, and are even top rack dishwasher safe. Many of your dog’s soft toys will be machine washable, and can be chucked straight in the washing machine. Again, make sure you wash your dog’s toys seperate from your family’s clothing. Use any clean up products to remove as much stains and odours as possible before washing.
Top tip: Sadly, most of your dog’s toys won’t last forever and it’s important to throw away any toys that have broken or exposed squeakers or are beyond cleaning. Same with hard plastic toys, throw anything away that has sharp edges or is snapped or broken. If your dog gets attached to their stuffed toy, make sure to always have a spare on hand and regularly rotate. This will make the toy last longer, and avoid stressing your dog when their beloved toy gets worn out.
Bedding:
It’s ideal to rotate two sets of bedding for your pooch. With two sets you can alternate your dog’s bedding every week. This will minimise any bad doggy smells as well as keeping your dog’s skin and coat looking healthy. If you want to keep things smelling extra fresh, try de-odourising spray. This can be sprayed onto your dog or onto their bed to keep it smelling good in between washes.
Top tip: Always follow the washing guidelines on your dog’s bedding. Use the hottest recommended temperature to help eliminate stains and smells. Got an older dog or a pooch with sore joints? You might want to consider an orthopaedic bed to provide more cushioning.
Shop dog