Pet owners have been warned that unwanted germs may be lurking in their furry friends’ toys.
There’s almost no sweeter sight than your pet playing with a toy you lovingly bought for them (as long as it doesn’t squeak).
However, did you know that these pet toys may have intestinal bacteria and your pet may be spreading them around your home?
The dog experts at Ruffwear conducted research that discovered what unwanted germs these precious toys might be home to (and shared some ways to help you get rid of them).
This is why you should never feed chocolate to your dogs
Carl Gorman, president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and clinical vet spoke to Ruffwear and shared his expert advice.
Gorman shared: “Approximately 85% of dogs over the age of 3 will have some level of gum disease, so as they chew on those toys, especially soft toys, they’re going to pass the bacteria on.
“This is not only an issue for dogs but bacteria can be passed on to owners who can pick up toys when playing.
“There are several different types of bacteria that can be found in the presence of teeth with periodontal disease, which include Peptostreptococcus, Prevotella intermedia, and Bacteroides fragilis to name a few.”
Ruffwear also conducted additional research that found that Bacteroides fagilis is probably one of the most unpleasant types of bacteria found in dog teeth.
Experts share that this particular strain colonizes the intestines of dogs as commensal bacteria.
In other words, it’s bacteria that comes from the dog’s gut.
How often should you wash your dog’s toys? Find out. (Getty Images) (Photo: Getty Images)
While it may be an unpleasant thought, dogs groom themselves by licking around their bottoms, Gorman reminds.
“Not only can that transfer intestinal bacteria to the mouth or whatever they’re chewing on, but there’s a possibility of transferring worm eggs that are known to stick to the fur on the back of the dog’s back to the chew toy.
“So, there are possibilities for a chew toy to be a danger to humans as well as some interesting bugs that the dog will continue to incubate. Most of the dangers are theoretical, or at any rate rate is low risk, but it is there.”
How often should I clean my pet’s toys?
You should clean your pet’s toys at least once a week to prevent the spread of germs, experts advise.
They also shared three top tips to make sure they don’t spread unwanted germs and bacteria around your home.
Ruffwear also stressed that pet owners need to remember to always check and follow product-specific care instructions.
Clean soft toys at least once a week in a 60-degree wash
Soft toys are one of the biggest culprits for harboring bacteria due to our pet’s drooling on them, so it is very important that we clean at least once a week.
Ruffwear experts recommend washing your dog’s soft toys once a week in the washing machine at a temperature of at least 60 degrees to ensure bacteria cannot grow.
Dog toys should be washed to prevent germs (Photo: Getty Images)
You should make sure that the soft toys are dried properly after washing
After washing soft toys in the washing machine, you should put them in the dryer or hang them to dry.
Damp soft toys are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, so it’s important to leave them to dry completely.
Use washing-up liquid and warm water to clean hard toys
Hard toys are easier to keep clean because saliva doesn’t get on them, so using a little washing-up liquid and warm water will do the trick to keep them clean and germ-free.
Wash your dog’s hard toys as often as necessary and if he has a particularly good chew on one, it may be best to wipe it off before leaving it on the floor or in their toy basket.
