How often should I wash my pet's bed?

Why the interval matters

Adult fleas on the animal are a small fraction of the infestation. Most of the population exists as eggs, larvae and pupae in the environment, and the environment that matters most is wherever the animal sleeps. Eggs laid on the animal fall off where it rests, which is why treating the pet without treating the bedding produces a problem that keeps coming back.

The same logic applies to allergies. Bedding accumulates dander, saliva residue, pollen carried in on the coat, and dust mites. For a dog with atopic dermatitis, a weekly wash is part of reducing the allergen load between veterinary visits, not a separate chore.

Washing so it does something

• Hot wash where the fabric allows, at 60C or above, which is what kills flea life stages and dust mites reliably. A cool wash removes visible dirt and little else.
• Tumble dry on heat if the item tolerates it. The drying cycle does as much of the killing as the wash.
• Fragrance-free, dye-free detergent, and skip fabric conditioner. Residues irritate sensitive skin and can put an animal off the bed.
• Vacuum the surrounding floor and the crate at the same time, and empty the vacuum outside afterwards.
• Wash covers and the inner foam separately if the foam allows it. Most orthopaedic foam does not go in a machine, so check before soaking it.

Buy for the wash cycle

The practical test at purchase is whether the cover comes off and goes in a machine. A bed that has to be surface-wiped will not be cleaned properly, and beds that cannot be washed are simply thrown away sooner. Two covers for the same bed keeps the animal off the bare foam on laundry day, which is a small purchase that decides whether the weekly routine actually holds.