Oh, the joys of pet ownership. Pets are a wonderful addition to any family! But, with a pet comes additional responsibilities. Some have even likened owning a pet to raising a child! One of the many aspects to pet ownership is ensuring that your pet stays clean. While cats bathe themselves regularly to keep themselves clean, dogs actually don’t groom themselves in the same way. In fact, if a dog is grooming themselves in a similar way to a cat, then there’s a chance they have a medical or behavioral issue. That’s why it’s so important for dogs to be groomed and bathed consistently! One of the many forgotten parts of a dog’s life that can make or break their hygiene is their dog collar. Did you know you should be washing your dog’s collar and that, if you don’t, you could potentially be causing your pup harm? Let’s talk about why you should wash your dog’s collar – and why a silicone dog collar is the easiest to clean. Why Your Dog Needs a Collar First things first – let’s talk about why your dog needs a collar. Regardless of where you live or how young/old your dog is, they need a collar. Dog collars keep your dog safe! On the off chance your pup gets out while you’re bringing in groceries, out for a walk or on a camping trip, then you’ll want to have a way for them to be identified and returned to you! Without a collar, you run the risk of your pup being lost forever or even potentially given to someone else. But I got a microchip put into my dog when I adopted them. Isn’t that enough? Microchips are just one of the many tools that you can use alongside collars and ID tags to ensure that your pup stays safe. Microchips store information, but they aren’t a tracking device. Most people think they are! Unfortunately, that means that many dog owners get only a microchip and then feel overwhelmed and somewhat guilty if their pup runs out. On a microchip, you store your address and phone number so that it can be scanned by a specific reader once your dog is brought to a vet or shelter. However, some microchips can only be read by certain scanners, so if the shelter or vet office doesn’t have the proper reader, then they won’t be able to access the information. Microchips are a great tool, but they should never be your only choice for safeguarding your dog! My dog runs around a lot. Isn’t it unsafe to have a collar on them since it can get stuck on a tree branch? While that is a valid concern for many dog owners, many collars are made with fasteners that break away when tugged on too hard. Our dog collar and leash set have this unique feature that really goes a long way in keeping your pup safe. Whether they accidentally get their collar caught on another dog while playing, their nails when scratching their neck or on a tree branch, you can be rest assured that your pup won’t experience a choking hazard. A good dog collar is one that minimizes the risks your pup will have. I live in a rural area. Does my dog still need a collar? The answer is always absolutely! Dog collars are really beneficial for all dogs, regardless of where they reside or their age. Dogs that live in a rural jurisdiction still have risks, just like dogs who live in urban areas. Those risks just look a bit different. From farming equipment to wild predators, your dog needs everything they can have in order to be as safe as possible. If your dog is out on your land while you are cooking dinner, you don’t know what they might get into. And if someone comes across your dog and notices they’re injured, a dog collar can be the difference between life and death. My dog is trained to follow commands. That’s great! Your dog still needs a collar, though. Trained animals are still animals with minds of their own. For any reason, they might defy an order or command – and if you don’t put a collar on them, that could potentially have deadly consequences! It’s important to keep their safety in mind at all times, so even if your dog is fully trained, make sure they wear a dog collar. Order a Silicone Dog Collar for Your Pup, the Easiest Collar to Clean! ID Tags Are Essential, Too Another piece of the dog-safety-puzzle is having your dog wear an ID tag. Dog ID tags are for all dogs. They carry vital information that will ensure your pup stays safe and healthy! Contact information: Your contact information should be on your dog’s tag. You’ll mainly want to put your current phone number and address so that those who find your pup can contact you directly to let you know they’ve been found. Medical information: Does your dog have a specific diet they need to follow? Medicine they need to take at specific intervals? Diseases or conditions that could potentially hurt them if they aren’t medicated on time? These are all things you should consider adding to your dog’s tag. In fact, having this information on your dog’s tag can actually be the difference between life and death for them! Vaccination records: Each time your dog gets vaccinated for different diseases and viruses, your vet will probably give you a specific metal tag to attach to your dog’s collar. You can either put the information on another dog tag, or you can attach the tags you’re given by your vet to the existing tag you already have on your dog’s collar. Either way, those vaccination tags are beneficial to you because if your dog gets out and is taken to a vet or shelter, they’ll know what diseases and viruses your dog is protected from. Another way that dog tags keep your pup safe is that some can even track them! Using Bluetooth technology, our Tile for dog collars is a great option for dog owners who are concerned their dog will run away or get lost. Let’s face it – some dogs are just more curious than others. And, with a nose that can sense up to almost 12 miles away at times, if your dog catches a whiff of something interesting while out for a walk or on a camping trip, there’s no telling whether or not they’ll get out of your clutches. It’s important that you have multiple ways to keep them safe, and a dog tag that can track their movements while they’re in Bluetooth range is absolutely essential! One of the best benefits of our Tile dog tag is that it’s waterproof up to one meter, perfect for dogs who like to go with you on hikes or camping near rivers and beaches! You don’t have to worry about their tag getting ruined if they chase after a fish in the river or go running through the waves at the beach. Attaching a Dog Tag to a Collar Attaching a dog tag to a collar is simple, and it’s something that you should do immediately after receiving both your collar and tag. The longer you wait to put your dog’s tag on their collar, the higher the risk they can get loose or run away! Here are some simple steps on how to put a dog tag on collars: Use the ring on the collar: A lot of dog collars already have rings on them. They’re built to be durable and ensure that your dogs’ tags stay on them really well. It’s a simple and effective way to put their tags on. Simply open the ring and slide the tags on it! Avoid S-hooks on collars: While an s-hook might seem like an easier way to attach your dog’s tag to their collar, be aware that they can open and actually do more harm to your dog than good! If you are still adamant about using an s-hook because they’re easier for you to use, be cautious of the risks. Track Your Pup via Bluetooth with a Tile for Dog Collar Teach your dog to sit: Attaching a tag to a collar is difficult to do when your dog doesn’t know how to sit. You don’t want to take your dog’s collar off while you attach the tags, especially if you’re outside. However, if you’re sure that all points of exit are secure in your home, then you can remove your dog’s collar to place their tags onto it. Make sure you immediately put their collar back on! Cleaning a Dog Collar Your dog’s collar should be taken care of just as well as your pet. Since your dog probably runs around outside, plays in the mud and with other dogs, their collar can easily absorb any of the bacteria or debris that’s in the air. Think of your dog’s collar similar to your own jewelry – but they’re hardly ever without it! If you don’t take their collar off to clean it, then your dog’s neck could develop rashes, balding or even scarring. Here’s how to clean a dog collar! Detach any metal from the collar. Some tags, such as your dog’s rabies vaccination tag, are metal and will need to be removed prior to cleaning. You don’t want them to rust! Determine what you’ll need to clean your collar. Some cleaners aren’t effective for different materials of collars. You definitely don’t want to damage the collar or use harsh chemicals that will ruin your dog’s skin! One of the first things you’ll need to do is determine what you’ll need to clean your dog’s collar. With a silicone collar, all you’ll need to do is wipe it down with a wet paper towel. If the collar smells or has caked on debris, then you can gently wash it in warm water and soap! For cloth collars, you can gently wash them without soaking them, but make sure to let them dry all the way before putting them back on your dog. Leather collars are the toughest to clean because they will need a specific type of cleaner so that the leather doesn’t crack, warp or get discolored. Clean the collar. Silicone collars are the easiest to clean and don’t take as long. You don’t need to wait for them to dry, and they wipe much more easily and don’t hold on to stains like cloth or leather. Cleaning a dog collar can take a long time, which can pose a risk for your dog. If they need to use the bathroom while you’re waiting for the collar to dry, then there’s a chance they’ll run away or get out while they’re outside. It’s important that you choose the right style of collar for your dog that minimizes the risk of them getting out or getting hurt. Attach the collar back to your dog. Even though your dog probably enjoyed their five to 30 minutes of freedom without their collar on, you should always attach it back on after cleaning it. It’s important that you don’t let your dog go too long without their collar so that they can stay safe! Mark your calendar to clean it again routinely. Good hygiene for your dog starts with a routine. Make sure you mark it down on your calendar so that you can routinely clean your dog’s collar! You’ll also want to clean their collar whenever you give your dog a bath, especially if it’s after a long day at the beach, on the campground or even at the dog park. This will go a long way in ensuring your dog is safe, healthy and hygienic! Dog hygiene is an essential component of dog health and safety. As a pet owner, it’s important you keep their dog collar clean so that your dog doesn’t develop a rash or irritation! A dog collar is an essential tool to keep your furry friend safe in your home. Image Credits Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com Migle Narbutaite/Shutterstock.com Daniel Krason/Shutterstock.com