Latest news with #PreventiveVet
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
How often should you clean your dog's toys? Owners weigh in on pet care practices
A dog owner has sparked a debate on Reddit about how often people clean their dog's toys after they rarely do so It can be difficult to resist treating our pets to new toys, especially when they seem to destroy them in a matter of seconds. However, many owners are unaware of how frequently they should be cleaning their pet's toys, or the potential consequences of neglecting this task altogether. This topic recently sparked a discussion on Reddit, with one user asking: "Do you clean the toys regularly? If so, how do you clean a plush squeaky without damaging it? Do you retire toys if not broken?" One user replied: "Erm I don't. Most of them don't last long enough to need a wash to be honest." Another user shared their approach, saying: "I wash them after a guest dog has left. For squeaky plushies, I put them in a large zipped pillow cover or large lingerie bag and run the washer on gentle cycle." A different user admitted: "Eh never? Her toys are indoors only so they don't get very gross. The only time I washed them in the bathtub was due to an ant infestation." Another Reddit user explained their method: "For fabric toys, I've always just thrown them in the wash as needed with a couple extra rinse cycles to make sure all of the detergent is out and then into the dryer on low heat," reports the Express. They added: "How often depends on the toy and the dirtiness. One of his toys can get washed as much as once a week, others haven't been washed yet." On the topic of non-fabric toys, one individual shared: "For rubber toys I'll throw them in the top rack in the dishwasher and hope for the best. I haven't had any melted toys yet, so knock on wood." Preventive Vet cautions that "dog toys can be harbouring anything from fungus to mould to mildew to staph bacteria", suggesting a potential risk of contamination with faecal matter, which may contain harmful pathogens such as Giardia, or even Parvovirus or Distemper if your dog carries their toys on walks. The statement discloses: "Since dog toys are among the top 10 germiest items in the home per an NSF International (National Sanitation Foundation) study, it is a good idea to give them a good cleaning at least once a month. But in an ideal world, weekly cleaning is better." Toys that withstand vigorous play and are covered in slobber, dirt, and other unknown substances should ideally be cleaned daily, particularly those that have been taken outside the confines of your home and garden. However, for dogs that consume a raw diet and enjoy playing with their toys immediately after meals, owners are advised to clean these toys promptly after each play session. The statement further clarifies: "Studies indicate that these diets can contain Salmonella and Listeria, which are harmful to people. If your dog loves to play with their toys right after a meal, they can be contaminated with these bacteria. "If you handle these toys and touch your mouth, you are at risk of accidental ingestion. Use caution by always washing these toys immediately after your dog has eaten and then played with them."
Newsweek
25-04-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Reason Woman's Curtain Is So Short Melts Hearts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In a viral TikTok video, a cat owner has revealed the heartwarming reason her curtain is a little bit too short for her window, and internet users can't cope with it. "Why is your curtain so short?" The poster writes in the video shared on Monday under the username @turntleaf, as her cat sits down in front of the window, watching the world outside in awe. "So Jack can look out the window of course," she says in the caption. Animal psychologist Zazie Todd says that cats spend an average of two hours a day watching out the window, and while we might not understand the appeal of it, it can actually be a great form of enrichment for them. Some cats, about 16 percent, spend over five hours of their day just chilling by the window, looking outside. But what makes windows so interesting to our felines? According to Todd, windows offer them the opportunity to watch birds, other small wildlife, or foliage fall on the ground. Some cats also enjoy watching other felines, people, vehicles and insects. However, windows can also be a dangerous place when open, but you can make them safe with these tips shared by Dr. Stephanie Austin in an article published by Preventive Vet. While keeping the window close is always the safest option, if it is absolutely necessary, open no more than 1 to 2 inches and lock the opening to prevent your cat from squeezing themselves out. Make sure all the windows are locked before leaving the house and check that the screens won't pop out easily. If you have a balcony or a garden, you should consider buying your feline a catio, an enclosed outdoor space where they can enjoy the views while keeping safe from accidental falls, and other dangers they may otherwise come across. Stock image: A window is covered by a short white transparent curtain. Stock image: A window is covered by a short white transparent curtain. getty images The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 720,000 views and more than 120,000 likes on the platform. One user, Nissi, commented: "As a cat owner I immediately knew lol so cute." Vanessa said: "Us too. Everything that looks odd in our home is because of our furbabies." Chaoticmisery added: "I have my blinds set at the same height. For my girl who just stares out the window waiting for [her] husband to return from war." Newsweek reached out to @turntleaf for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
