Spring is in full swing, and if you haven’t already begun your Spring Cleaning, you’ve likely gotten the itch to start. When making your “laundry list” of cleaning “to do’s,” don’t forget to add pet care to your agenda. It’s important to maintain a clean environment both for you and for your dog’s health and safety, so pay special attention to your furry child’s things, too. Pet beds, bowls, toys and clothing should all get deep cleaned on a regular basis, so if you’re a little behind on making sure Fido’s stuff is up to snuff, take this opportunity for a fresh beginning.
Crates and Carriers Ideally, crates or carriers should be cleaned once a week since that’s where your pup is likely spending a lot of his time. Use warm soapy water or a mild disinfectant and make sure these items are fully dry before allowing your dog to use them again. Avoid bleach for its strong scent and potentially harmful chemicals. Before using any sort of cleaning product, check the ingredients list for any toxic chemicals that could be unsafe for your dog to ingest or inhale. Once the crate or carrier is clean, wipe it down weekly to maintain spotlessness.
Bedding and Covers Choose a pet bed with removable covers that can be washed easily and regularly (again, once a week is a good schedule to follow). It’s wise to buy a backup set of covers to use in a pinch in the case of an accident in the middle of the night or when you’re too lazy to do a load of laundry right away. A small amount of unscented, mild detergent should do the trick, but consider trashing and replacing the covers at the point when no matter how much you clean, the bedding smells or looks dirty.
Dishes and Toys Water and food bowls should also be cleaned weekly, if not more. While hand washing with liquid and hot water is sufficient, you may want to consider throwing your dog’s bowls (if not stainless steel) in the automatic dishwasher as the machine can do a more thorough job of disinfecting and sanitizing your pup’s dishware. Toys can also be laundered in the dishwasher, depending on their material. If washing soft, stuffed toys, launder them in the laundry machine in a mesh bag to keep them separate from the rest of your load.
Clothes If your dog wears a sweater in the winter time (or regularly – no judgement here!), avoid dry cleaning due to known toxic chemicals. Most pet clothing can be washed on delicate or hand-washed with a mild, unscented detergent. To store clothing, make sure it’s fully dry before putting it away in an air tight container. Avoid humidity, which can cause mold and moth balls.
Get Organized Use this time to go through your pet closet or pantry and check all food and treats to make sure none have hit their expiration date. In fact, inspect all of your dog supplies and equipment including shampoos, toothbrush/toothpaste, ear cleaner, flea and tick medication, as well as collars, tags and leashes. Make sure all are in good shape, and if not, replace. Go through your pup’s toy box too. You’re likely to find toys that are dirty or ripped up. Time for a refresh!
Pamper Your Pooch! Rejuvenate your dog by treating him to a trip to the groomer. In the Winter, many dog owners let their pooches’ hair go long to keep them warm so by the time Spring rolls around, they are way overdue for a trim. Use this time to splurge on any extra services such as nail trimming, matting removal, anal glands expression, or professional tooth brushing – you owe it to your pooch to have him primped to perfection. Plus, there’s nothing better than snuggling up to a newly groomed, fresh-as-a-daisy pup!
We at PuppySpot believe that good health is a crucial part of responsible breeding, and a puppy’s good health begins with healthy parents. That is why we partner with the American Kennel Club to host health clinics to examine adult breeding dogs. The clinics are set up all round the U.S. and encourage breeders to … Continue reading PuppySpot & AKC Host Health Clinics for Adult Breeding Dogs→
We all want the best for our pets, and one way to ensure that your pets are healthy, happy, and safe is to keep an eye on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recall list.
Whether flying in-cabin as carry-on or flying in cargo, we’ve outlined the key steps you can take for safely and responsibly flying your dog. Follow these tips and feel good about bringing your pup on that next vacation.
It is always a pleasure working with the various chapters of Make-A-Wish®. Their wish managers and volunteers work hard to ensure the wishes of thousands of children are granted each year. Recently, Make-A-Wish has experienced quite an uptick in puppy wishes; that is where PuppySpot comes in! Thanks to a bit of coordination between Make-A-Wish … Continue reading Puppy Brings Joy to Mid-Atlantic Wish Child→
PuppySpot continues to work with the various chapters of Make-A-Wish to help grant puppy wishes for children with critical illnesses. Our first puppy wish of the year was granted with Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida. When they reached out to us, the chapter was working on a puppy wish for four-year-old Daniel, a resilient little … Continue reading A Special Surprise for Jacksonville Wish Child→
This year has brought on numerous challenges to many families. It will be a year many of us won’t soon forget. Now, it is time to put this year to rest. With 2021 comes a sense of hope, and that is what two Make-A-Wish families received just in time to bring in the new year. … Continue reading Double Wish Granting Brings Hope into 2021→
This past year has been challenging for many families. It has been particularly hard for one Make-A-Wish Southern Florida family. The Diaz family is not only dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are also in an ongoing battle with leukemia. Jaxon Diaz is a 6-year-old boy whose wish is to have a normal life. … Continue reading A New Best Friend for South Florida Wish Child→