Pet beds

Like humans, pets can also be afflicted with allergies or skin diseases, which could be caused or aggravated by dirty conditions or parasite invasions. As an example, your pet could suffer from Red Mange (Demodicosis) which is a result of an infestation of tiny mites, invisible to the naked eye. Your pet’s bed can be contaminated with these mites, which may keep reoccurring. These mites are also known as dust mites, and they may eat your pet’s skin scales and dander. One of the places where they often infest is a pet’s bed. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you routinely clean and sanitize your pet’s bedding.

The pet’s bed should be cleaned on a daily basis by removing the bedding, blankets and any other loose fabric items from the bed. Then take the bedding outside and give it a good shaking. After you have shaken the bedding outside, you may want to leave it outside to air.

Also carefully scrutinize the bedding for any indications of insect activity, dirt or other foreign matter. Also look for any sign of blood stains because those would be indicators of the presence of biting insects. The biting types of insects could infest your pet and they may leave evidence of blood. Thus, it is best to use light colored bedding because the blood stains will be more noticeable. Also check the other parts of the bed, such as the frame, box, basket or other containers for signs of insect infestation.

The bedding should be laundered once a week. Use mild detergents with low suds. Pets cannot tolerate, nor do they like, heavy or perfumed detergents. If a detergent is too strong, it could cause allergic reactions in your pet.

Wash the bedding in water that is as hot as the fabric can withstand and do not add any fabric softener to the wash, nor a fabric sheet to the dryer. If the washing machine is full and the agitator works correctly, you may add a tablespoon or two of a commercial disinfectant to the wash. Dry the bedding on a clothes line or in a dryer on low heat.

Non-fabric parts of the pet bed should be washed with a mild soap and disinfectant mixture with a clean rag. Then rinse off with a different rag and plain water to wipe away any detergent residue from the pet bed.

You should consider discarding the bedding once a year and replacing it with new materials. However, if your pet has become attached to a particular blanket or other bedding, you may consider keeping it so long as there is no health risk.

Should the pet bed become infested with insects or mite, take prompt action. Separate your pet from the other pets in your home and from the infested area. Then treat the pet with the procedure that is recommended by your vet.

Remember that the parasites that are infecting your pet will continue to breed and feed off of your pet until the cycle is broken. Therefore, treat your pet with the proper remedy, then treat the pet bed. If you merely treat the bed, rather than your pet, it will only lead to a reinfestation. In extreme cases, it may be necessary to replace the bed. However, it may be wise to dispose of the pet bedding by putting it in a large trash bag, spraying it with household insect killer, then seal the bag shut and toss it in the trash. Then purchase new, clean bedding for your pet.