It’s estimated that between 80 and 90% of dogs over the age of three have some degree of gum disease and they can easily pass that bacteria on to you when you pick up their toys, especially their soft toys. This bacteria includes Peptostreptococcus, Prevotella intermedia and Bacteroides Fragilis – which comes from dogs' intestines!

To combat this, try cleaning soft toys in the washing machine at 60°C (140°F) at least once a week. Ensure they dry properly too, since soft toys are a perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. For hard toys, a bit of washing-up liquid and warm water will do the trick.

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