All you need to know about dog diapers
Dog diapers are definitely not a dog product that you might think of very often. However, as a pet owner, it is something that you may need during different times of your pooch’s life.
Dog diapers are used for different reasons, and the most common one is dog incontinence that might occur due to certain diseases, dog’s age or simply lack of training.
Dog diapers are very similar to the ones for infants and toddlers but with a hole for a tail. Usually they are pretty comfortable and dogs feel fine wearing them all day long.
Types of dog diapers
There are two types of dog diapers: disposable and washable diapers. It might be difficult to decide which one is better, therefore it is worth analyzing pros and cons of both of them.
Disposable diapers
The main advantage of disposable dog diapers is their convenience: a used diaper is simply tossed into trash and then a clean one is put on a furry friend. For this reason many dog owners prefer this type of diapers, especially if they travel a lot. Disposable diapers are also a great option if the incontinence is a temporary problem.
However, despite the convenience of such diapers, it is also important to know that their main disadvantage is the price, especially if you have to change several diapers a day.
Also, if you really care about the environment, then disposable diapers are not for you because they are not biodegradable and millions of them end up in landfills every year.
Washable diapers
Washable diapers are the way to go for those pet owners, whose pooch has to wear diapers for an extended period of time. Since washable diapers are created to be washed over and over again, they are much more durable and do not easily rip or tear when you are changing your four-legged friend.
It is also a perfect option for those who “go green” and care about the environment, since washable diapers are reused and are not simply tossed into the trash.
Moreover, washable diapers are also healthier for your dog because there are no harmful gels or dyes that are often used in disposable diapers by many brands.
The only disadvantage of washable diapers is that they are not convenient for dog owners, who have to clean and wash them after every use. However, if you compare this disadvantage with all the money saved each year, it does not seem like a significant disadvantage at all.
Factors to consider when you are choosing diapers for your dog
Choosing diapers for your dog is a very serious and not a very easy mission. In order to make the right choice, there are certain factors that you need to consider.
· Size
If you want to ensure a perfect fit, the right size of a dog diaper is very important. Moreover, the size also determines your pooch’s comfort level. If the diaper is too big, it will constantly fall off. The diaper is too small? Then your dog will be quite unhappy and miserable. In order to choose the right size, you need to weigh your dog. To weigh a bigger dog is quite easy: you can either use special dog weighing scales or ask your vet to help. If you canine is too small, here is the trick to weigh him: first weigh yourself and record the measurement. Then pick up your dog and get on the scale again. The difference between the first and the second measurement is the exact weight of your dog. Besides the weight, it is also important to measure your dog’s waist. In order to do this, you can simply use a regular tape measure.
· Gender
Your canine’s gender is probably one of the most important factors to consider when choosing diapers for your dog. There is a significant difference between male and female diapers: diapers for male dogs have wider base and longer waist in order to fully cover the dog’s urethra.
· Breed
All breeds are different, and a lot of them have tails. If your dog breed is one of them, then you should make sure that your dog’s diapers have a tail hole. Breeds with short tales, such as French bulldogs or Australian shepherd for example, will feel quite comfortable in diapers without tail holes.
· Design
There are two designs of dog diapers – full diapers and belly band. Full diapers looks exactly like baby diapers and are usually for female dogs or for those pooches who suffer from both urinary and fecal incontinence. Belly band design is the perfect option for male dogs and the canines with only a urinary problem.
Handful tips for using dog diapers
- It is extremely important to change your dog’s diaper frequently. Like a baby, your pooch will not feel comfortable by staying in a wet diaper too long. Moreover, dirty or wet diaper might cause irritation, rash, inflammation, burning or even bacterial infections in canines.
- Wear gloves every time when you change a diaper, so you don’t have to come in contact with the urine or feces.
- Use baby wipes to clean your dog every time when you change a diaper. Remember that you should treat you pooch the way you treat a baby.
- If you notice that your dog has incontinence use, do not rush to buy diapers. The first thing that you need to do is to take your canine to the vet in order to find out what is the exact reason of the incontinence. You dog might need medications or even a surgery to get rid of the problem.
- There are also variations in diapers’ absorbency. Therefore, make sure that you choose the right absorption level and use the diapers appropriately. The lower absorption level is, the more frequently diapers need to be changed.
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