Why is it so important to clean your dog’s paws?
Our pets must participate in our hygiene routines to keep the whole family safe.
The quarantine has changed our life routine; after several months we have learned the importance of having sanitary measures when we return home to be protected and avoid contagions.
Today, we get home and the hygiene routine begins: we take off our shoes, wash our hands, use antibacterial gel and many other things; but what about our beloved dogs?
As experts have pointed out, it is not necessary for our furry friends to wear boots on their paws, much less recommend that they wear mouth covers, which make them uncomfortable and cause breathing problems. However, their paws carry germs and viruses that can make their owners sick, so cleaning them when they return home should also be part of our hygiene routine to take care of the whole family.
Many, concerned about this, have experimented with products that are not designed for pets; products that can be toxic, cause inflammation or even infections in their paws and skin.
The Humane Society of the United States recommended staying away from products containing alcohol, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide or chemical compounds with the word “phenol” in them. Avoid antibacterial gels, industrial or surface cleaners and wipes not specialized for dogs.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that, like us, our dogs should keep a distance of at least one and a half meters, and preferably not allow them to interact with other dogs and people during their walks, as well as washing our hands before and after petting them or handling their toys.
SOURCES: “If You Have Pets”. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | “‘How often should I clean my dog?’ ‘Do pets need face masks?’: What to know about your pet and Covid-19” CNBC
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/pets.html
