Spring Cleaning To-Do List for Dog Owners

Winter is officially over! At this time of year, many people are storing away their winter clothes and equipment, and bringing summer things out of storage. Don’t forget about Fido! In this article from Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO vet serving Louisville and surrounding areas, a local vet offers some spring cleaning tips for people with pups.

Spring is a peak shedding season for dogs. We recommend vacuuming daily, and changing your air filters regularly. You may also want to put slipcovers on your furniture. Brushing your pup will also help, as it will trap Fido’s dead hair in a brush before it gets stuck to everything. If it’s warm enough, take your canine buddy outdoors for his beauty sessions, so the extra fur just blows away.

Go through your furry pal’s things, and toss anything that is torn or battered. You’ll also want to discard any food, treats, or medications that are stale or past their use-by date. Give everything else a good cleaning. You can clean some of Fido’s things by putting them in the dishwasher on the hot cycle. (Skip the soap; the steam will clean them.) Others can go into the washing machine.

Wash Fido’s doggy bed in hot water with unscented detergent, and then put it in the dryer on the hottest cycle. If your pet’s bed is too big for the washer, give it a good vacuuming. If it’s made of cloth, iron the surface to kill fleas and flea eggs.

Fleas, ticks, and other parasites will return with the warm weather. Many wild animals will also be very active. Make sure your canine pal is current on his exams, vaccinations, and parasite control products.

Does your pooch have an emergency kit? If not, this is a great time to make one. Start with a doggy first aid kit. You can buy one just for dogs, or start with a regular first aid kit and add some pet-specific items. You’ll also want to put a week’s worth of food and medicine in the kit, along with treats, blankets, toys, a leash and collar, and copies of Fido’s records.

Do you have questions about your dog’s health or care? Contact us here at Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO vet, serving Louisville and surrounding areas, today!