Protecting Your Family from Dog Germs

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated February 17, 2009)

It's true—dogs have germs. And if you live with a dog, chances are you are exposed to those dog's germs on a daily basis. Now, dog germs aren't deadly by any means, but avoiding them is good if you want to maintain your own personal, optimal health. How do you come into contact with these dog germs? How can you sanitize and make sure your surroundings are as healthy as they can be? The solutions to these problems are simple and only require a little discipline and patience.

Probably the biggest thing you can do to protect your family from dog germs is to clean up after your dog. Clean up the dog's waste from the backyard so it's not in the kids' play areas and so it doesn't get anywhere it shouldn't be. Also, clean up around the house. If your dog is housebroken, great; however, you can't rule out possibilities of slip-ups. Whenever your dog leaves a gift for you, make sure you clean it up with proper cleaning products and clean it up thoroughly.

Also, if at all possible (I guess it depends on the dog you have) try to avoid the face-licking behavior. If your dog is into the face licking, wash your face afterward. After you pet your dog or play with it, you should wash your hands. With your kids you should be especially careful, and teach them not to stick their fingers and their hands in their own mouths after touching the dog.

Children love to pet dogs, which is great for them and the dogs, but you should make sure that you wash your kids' hands after dog contact. If kids stick their hands in their mouths, it can be a sure shot for sickness. Germs can spread easily and you want to take the simple precautions (like hand washing) so you can avoid more serious problems.

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

MORE FROM DORIS

Treating a Choking Child

A choking child is a terrifying event. Not only is the child scared witless, but often the caregiver is as well. By ...

Discover More

Repairing a Lampshade

Lamps have a way of creating mood lighting or simply adding extra light to a particularly dark room. If your lampshade ...

Discover More

Cleaning Your Car's Chrome

Want to make your chrome really shine? It's easy to do with a little elbow grease and the right materials.

Discover More
More Pet Tips

Lost Your Pet? Try Your Local Newspaper

If you've ever lost a pet, you know the panic it can induce. Losing pets is no fun, and you need to know the right steps ...

Discover More

Dealing with Heartworm

It's not uncommon to hear of pets suffering from heart worm disease, and there are ways to treat it. As a pet owner, you ...

Discover More

Tagging Your Pet for Safety

As a pet owner, you have the risk of your pet getting lost, and that's no fun for anyone, including the pet. If you tag ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 6 + 5?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2024 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.