How often should you wash your cat's or dog's favorite toys?

Specialized toys for pets help keep a puppy or kitten occupied while the owner is away, and also contribute to the physical and mental development of the animal. Vinyl and rubber balls, latex bones, ropes with plastic inserts and other attributes of “fun” require careful care, so everyone who loves their pet and values ​​​​his health must know how to wash dog toys and whether they need to be disinfected.

Plastic and rubber toys

Hard plastic toys are easiest to care for. The ball or plastic animal is washed with hot water and wiped dry with a clean towel. You can carry out such cleaning at least every day - quickly, efficiently, safely. The main thing is not to use chemicals: hot water and laundry soap are enough.

Products made of nylon and rubber have a porous surface. Dirt, dust and harmful microbes, together with animal saliva, penetrate deeply into the porous material, so it is much more difficult to clean such surfaces. Wash rubber toys once every two weeks with hot water and soap. If your household has a dishwasher, you can use it. Of course, before loading the dog accessories, you need to empty the machine of the dishes.

After the pet's play items have been thoroughly washed, they can be wiped with alcohol or vodka, dried and given back to the dog.

Experienced pet breeders divide their existing play equipment into two parts - one is washed and hidden for a while, the other is given away for play.

Rope toys

Today, toys woven from high-strength synthetic material with a special viscous quality are very popular. Thanks to this structure, the product does not crack when squeezed by the jaws, allowing teeth to penetrate the knitting loops. You can play with such objects at home or on the street - for example, tug and fetch. These are great for puppies who are changing their teeth.

Soft fabrics are an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, so rope toys must be washed and disinfected at least once every two weeks. An effective and easy way to clean is to wet the item and microwave it for a minute. You can also wash the rope in the dishwasher at a water temperature of +90°C.

Soft stuffed toys

A soft toy stuffed with synthetic filler should be cleaned once every two weeks. This will help get rid of dirt, harmful bacteria and dust mites.

The cleaning procedure can be carried out in the following ways:

• Machine washable. It is better to wash at low speeds and at the temperature specified by the manufacturer on the product label. You can even put a toy with a so-called squeaker in the car. As soon as the water inside the product has completely evaporated, the squeaking element will begin to make sounds again. Do not use bleach or conditioner, as harsh chemicals can cause allergies in your pet.
• Freezing. You can get rid of germs, fungi and mites in soft filler by freezing.To do this, the product is placed in a plastic bag and kept in the freezer for at least half a day.
• Treatment with soda. In this cleaning method, soda acts as the main disinfectant. Pour half a glass of soda into the bag with the toy and shake for 2-3 minutes, after which the remaining powder is removed using a brush or brush.

Even the best quality toys deteriorate and become deformed over time. Cracks and tears appear in the fabric, from which the filler begins to fall out. During play, the dog may accidentally swallow worn parts of the product, so old items should be replaced in a timely manner.

A toy with a secret

Recently, toys with a secret have become especially popular among pet owners. They are vinyl or rubber balls with some kind of treat hidden inside. To get the fragrant pieces, the dog will have to not only use all his mental abilities, but also show dexterity and patience.

It is clear that such products should be cleaned after each game. Moreover, the main attention should be paid to cleaning the inside of the product, where pieces of food may linger. This is very difficult to do. Not every structure can be completely disassembled, and the hole is very small.

However, the caring manufacturer thought through this point too. Along with this fun, you can purchase a special brush for cleaning the internal compartment. With the help of this device, you will be able to cope with washing in the most inaccessible places, and you will no longer have to worry about the health of your pet and the cleanliness of his favorite toy.

Chew toys

Chew toys are not so much for play as they are for cleaning the gums and teeth of cats and dogs, as well as for relieving stress. Typically, such products are made from vinyl or hypoallergenic rubber, but chews made from organic materials, such as rawhide or pork cartilage, are also available. Such items cannot be washed or cleaned, so it is better to replace the most dirty ones with new ones.

Regular cleaning and disinfection of cat and dog toys will help keep your home clean and your pet's health in good order.