While not the most pleasant task, properly cleaning a dog kennel is relatively straightforward. Proper disinfection plays a huge role in cleaning dog kennels the right way. While soap and water is important, true disinfection is necessary to protect dogs from disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites that may lurk anywhere dogs eliminate. A kenneled dog’s health depends on cleaning his or her living quarters the right way.
Before Starting
Before starting to clean the kennel, put on gloves and protective glasses. You don’t want to get feces, urine, hair, or dirt on your hands, or soap or disinfectant in your eyes.
Moving the Dog
Never clean the kennel with the dog inside it. That holds true whether it’s a home or commercial kennel. Place the dog elsewhere. In the commercial setting, either put the dog in an already clean kennel or put them in the outside run attached to the kennel.
Remove Items
Next, remove everything from the kennel, including bowls, bedding, and toys. Wash bowls with disinfection solution and dry thoroughly. Do the same with some toys, but throw chewed-up toys away. Wash bedding in the washing machine and then place it in the dryer.
Get Rid of the Mess
Scoop up feces and sweep out hair. Clean all surfaces thoroughly with soap and water. A long-handled brush does a good job of floor cleaning. Make sure to rinse the floor and other surfaces thoroughly.
Disinfection
Disinfect by saturating the kennel with a diluted disinfectant. Use an environmentally friendly product. Avoid ammonia cleaners.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution. Leave the disinfectant on the surfaces as per the instructions. This may range from 2 to 5 minutes.
Again, a long-handled, stiff brush is best for this task. Disinfect the kennel from top to bottom. Pay particular attention to the doors, resting boards, hinges, and latches. Don’t neglect the ceiling or the walls above the dog’s height. Without proper sanitation, disease-causing germs can linger.
Rinse off the disinfectant after the allotted time with hot water. If the disinfectant isn’t thoroughly rinsed off, residue can get on the dog’s paws. Licking his paws can then make him sick.
Returning the Dog
Once the kennel is clean, disinfected, and dry, put clean food and water bowls inside, as well as clean bedding. Now, you can return the dog to the kennel. If the animal was placed in an already cleaned kennel while his run was cleaned, disinfect that area again once he is back in his own kennel.
Buy Highly-Durable Professional Dog Kennels
As an animal care professional, you know that proper cleaning and disinfection is key to the health of the dogs in your care. Ease of cleaning is also paramount. At Direct Animal, our pet care experts design and manufacture durable and easy-to-clean professional dog kennels, double stacked dog kennels, and other state-of-the-art equipment made to last the life of your business. That’s true whether you’re a vet, luxury boarding facility, animal shelter, or doggy daycare. Rely on us for quality equipment for animal facilities that is ergonomic, hygienic, and affordable. For more information, contact us anytime.
