How To Keep Dogs From Tracking Bacteria And Germs Into Your Home

Mud, wet leaves, dust, grass clippings, and other debris are bad enough. It’s a constant battle to keep your floors clean as your dog goes in and out. But at least you can see this mess. The problem with bacteria and other germs is that they are invisible. Even seemingly clean, dry dog paws track in unwanted and potentially harmful microbes. Great.

What’s the problem?

North Carolina University investigated the presence of bacteria in households with dogs, compared to pet-free households. Not surprisingly, the dog homes had higher bacteria populations, representing a wider variety of bacteria. There was no evidence that any particular breeds of dog were “dirtier” than others.

Some of the microbes the study identified include E.coli, MRSA, salmonella, listeria, and others that can cause pneumonia or gingivitis in humans. But before you panic, note that most bacteria are actually beneficial.

For example, pregnant women who are also dog moms give birth to babies less likely to develop allergies or atopic dermatitis. Infants up through their first year who live in doggie homes benefit in the same way. Go Fido! And, besides, another study showed that dogs track in far fewer bacteria on their paws than people do on their shoes. Paws are smaller, after all. But they’re also cleaner.

The North Carolina study also revealed that TV screens and pillowcases hosted the most bacteria of all locations in the home. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Do the dogs in these homes spend an inordinate amount of time reclining on the bed, watching TV? The researchers didn’t address this question.

Experts say the bottom line here is that dogs (and the rest of your family) track in bacteria and germs. It’s part of life, so we should learn to deal with it. They do suggest that you and your kids wash your hands after handling the dog. Especially before meals. That’s smart advice, even in dog-free homes.

What can you do?

You can try to keep your dog from tracking bacteria and germs inside. This can be a trying experience in more ways than one, if your dog isn’t fond of having her feet handled or the sound of spritzing. Nonetheless, products you might consider include:

• Pet spray or wipes that are similar to hand sanitizer – you can use it on paws or all over your dog, but be aware these are really designed to remove dirt, not kill bacteria
• Doggie doormats permeated with disinfectant
• A foot-washing station just outside the door, with soap, a bucket of water, and a towel
• Dog booties

In an earlier blog post about dealing with muddy paws, we noted that sometimes solutions that sound good at first turn out to be more hassle than they’re worth. Only you and your dog can decide.

Perhaps the saner approach is to focus on house cleaning techniques that minimize potentially harmful germs. Well-known dog trainer and blogger Cesar Millan has pulled together a list of spring cleaning tips for dog owners. Among them:

• Switching to pet-specific air filters.
• Tips for cleaning your pooch’s collar (when was the last time you did that?), bedding, and toys.
• An easy way to remove the inevitable dog hair from fabrics such as drapes and furniture.
• A method for dry-cleaning your dog. Seriously.

Millan also offers recipes for using lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda to accomplish your cleaning chores. And he suggests more grass and better yard maintenance, to reduce indoor microbes and mess.

Great tip! What’s even better than grass? Artificial turf. It’s safer and cleaner than the real thing, and you can say good-bye to the hassles and cost of lawn care.