How do I clean my house if my dog has scabies?

When it is discovered that a dog has scabies (commonly known as scabies), the owner feels both distressed and worried. At the same time, they also have to face the potential infection risks at home. Only by cleaning the house scientifically and meticulously can a safe and healthy environment be created for the dog and the family members. The following will introduce the specific cleaning methods and precautions in detail for you.

Scabies in dogs is a highly contagious skin disease caused by the parasitic scabies mites on the skin surface. These scabies mites, which are almost invisible to the naked eye, will dig tunnels on the dog's skin surface, leading to intense itching, hair loss, and the appearance of red patches and scabs on the skin. Watching the dog being restless due to itching, constantly scratching itself, and even scratching the skin until it bleeds, the owner's heart is filled with distress. And these scabies mites not only torture the dog but may also temporarily parasitize on human skin, causing discomfort such as skin itching. Therefore, it is crucial to carry out a comprehensive cleaning of the house in a timely manner.

The first step in the cleaning work is to focus on the dog's living area. Items such as the dog's bedding, blankets, and toys are places where scabies mites are likely to hide. Gather these items together and soak and wash them in hot water above 50°C. High temperatures can effectively kill scabies mites and their eggs. For some items that cannot be washed with water, such as plush toys, seal them in a sealed bag and expose them to the sun for 2 to 3 days. The ultraviolet rays in the sunlight are a natural disinfectant and can play a very good role in killing bacteria and mites. During this process, looking at the items that were once full of the dog's joy but may harbor dirt, the owner is filled with the hope that the dog will recover soon and treats every cleaning step more carefully.

Next, thoroughly clean the floors and furniture surfaces in the house. Use a pet-specific disinfectant containing ingredients such as chlorhexidine and benzalkonium chloride. Dilute it according to the ratio in the instruction manual, and then carefully wipe the floors with a mop or a rag. For places where dust and dirt are likely to accumulate, such as corners and gaps, use a small brush to clean them to ensure that there are no blind spots. When wiping the furniture surfaces, including tables, chairs, cabinets, etc., do not miss any corner. During the cleaning process, pay attention to ventilation and keep the air flowing so that the smell of the disinfectant can dissipate as soon as possible and avoid irritating the dog and the family members. Imagining that the cleaned environment will keep the dog free from the intrusion of scabies mites, even if the owner is tired with a sore back, they will feel that everything is worth it.

For large-area fabrics in the house, such as fabric sofas and curtains, special treatment is also required. If they can be disassembled, try to take them apart, wash them in hot water, and expose them to the sun. If they cannot be disassembled, you can spray a professional fabric disinfectant on them and then use a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly suck up the dust, which can remove the scabies mites and allergens that may be attached. When cleaning these fabrics, be gentle in your actions to avoid raising too much dust and allergens and prevent irritation to the respiratory tract.

After cleaning the visible areas, do not forget the air environment in the house. Use an air purifier and replace the filter regularly, which can effectively filter allergens and tiny particles in the air. If possible, you can also use an ultraviolet disinfection lamp to irradiate the room. However, when using it, both people and pets should leave the room to avoid the harm of ultraviolet rays to the skin and eyes. Every time the ultraviolet disinfection lamp is turned on, it is like a "thorough cleaning" of the air in the house, creating a safer breathing environment for the dog and the family members.

During the entire cleaning process, the owner's own protection should not be ignored. Wear protective equipment such as gloves and masks to avoid direct contact with items that may carry scabies mites and disinfectants. After the cleaning is completed, change your clothes in a timely manner and wash your hands to prevent carrying scabies mites or disinfectant residues to other places. At the same time, keep an eye on the dog's condition, follow the veterinarian's advice for treatment, and give the dog more love and care. Seeing the dog's itching symptoms gradually mitigation and the skin slowly returning to health under your careful care, the joy in the owner's heart is beyond words.

The treatment of scabies in dogs and the cleaning of the house is a process that requires patience and carefulness. Only by doing a good job in cleaning the house can the reinfection of scabies mites be effectively prevented, allowing the dog to recover health as soon as possible and play happily at home again. Every time you bend over to wipe and every time you carefully clean, it is a deep expression of the owner's love for the dog. It is hoped that through these efforts, a healthy and comfortable living space can be created for the dog.