Why washing your dog’s bed is a must

You’ve spring cleaned your home from top to bottom and decluttered your life – well there or thereabouts – but did you remember to freshen up your pooch’s beds, blankets and toys too?

Washing your pet’s bedding is just as important as washing your own and should be done every few weeks to keep unpleasant smells at bay and to help prevent your furry friend from potential skin and coat problems.

Besides harbouring bacteria, a dirty dog bed can also become a breeding ground for fleas, mites and other parasites that will not only cuddle up to your pet at night, but will also hop onto you. 

Try out these cleaning tips from Hill’s Pet Nutrition to make sure your pup has fresh bedding year round:

• Check the washing instructions on the label of your pooch’s bed to see how to best wash it without damaging the bed cover or filling.
• Wash and dry your dog’s bed on the highest temperature setting possible, allowed by the washing instructions, to kill germs and parasites.
• If your dog has sensitive skin or allergies, it’s a good idea to chat to your vet about unscented detergent specifically for sensitive skin.

Not worth the wash?

Dog beds, like most things in life, do not last forever, so if your pup’s bed is falling apart it might be time to spoil them with a new one. Don’t be disheartened, if the new bed is not immediately loved by your furbaby. Like us, dogs are creatures of habit and prefer the things they know because they feel and smell familiar. Ease the transition by placing their favourite blanket or their go-to toy on the new bed.