Most of the time, I don’t think too hard about my dog blankets until I notice a smell. They fade into the background at my house, just something for dog’s to cozy into and not necessarily something to clean.
Every once in a while, however, I’ll be typing away at my computer when I get a whiff of dog smell. As soon as I catch that whiff, those blankets are getting washed, even if I have to remove a protesting dog to do so.
Should I be washing them more often though? According to the AKC, the Canadian Medical Journal, and even the CDC—the answer is yes.
Wash Dog Blankets Weekly
Apparently, it’s not just an overgrowth of dog hair that accumulates when you leave your dog blankets unwashed. Diseases that can spread to humans, fleas and ticks can also end up on pet beds and inadvertently get picked up by us when we touch them.
Washing pet bedding weekly (and dog beds that have blankets on top of them monthly) can help protect humans from diseases, as well as keeping your pet fresh and clean.
Tips for Washing Dog Blankets
If your dog blankets have a smell, check out our recommended tips for getting rid of dog smell in pet bedding. Otherwise, dog blankets are best washed in scent free, dye free washing machine detergent.
Dogs are very sensitive to smell, and many these days also have allergies. Heavily scented laundry soap can end up causing itchy skin and rashes in your pet, as well as making it an uncomfortable place to sleep due to the smell. Wash and dry blankets according to their individual labels.
My dogs are always a bit grumpy when their beds get stripped and the laundry carried off to be washed, but they sure love getting the blankets back straight from the dryer. They may not thank us, but keeping a clean environment is part of taking care of them.
Similar Posts:
- Is it safe to wash dog blankets in the washing machine?
- How to Get That Funky Dog Smell Out of Blankets
- How to Deodorize a Dog Bed
- How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home
- How Often Should You Bathe Your Chihuahua?
