How to Keep Dogs Healthy in a Kennel Environment

A healthy dog is a happy dog, which is why it is important to keep dog kennels clean for the duration of the animal’s stay. If you fail to look after your animal correctly and don’t keep his kennel nice and clean, he will soon end up sick and miserable, which is not fair on him and costly for you should you have to take him to the vet for treatment. You also run the risk of becoming ill, too. However, this unhappy state of affairs can easily be avoided by maintaining kennel hygiene standards at all times.

Cleaning a Dog Kennel

Cleaning a kennel isn’t rocket science, but you do need to do it properly because if you miss any surfaces during the cleaning process, germs and bacteria will be left behind and re-contamination will occur. Kennels need to be cleaned out at least once per day—preferably more if at all possible.

  • Remove the animal and equipment– Always take the dog out of his kennel before you start cleaning it. Place him somewhere safe and then take out everything else, including food bowls, bedding and toys. Wash all bowls, bedding and toys and leave to dry.
  • Scoop out the poo – Remove all solid matter and clumps of dog hair and then hose everything down with hot water.
  • Disinfection – Prepare a solution of disinfectant (follow the instructions on the bottle to ensure the correct dilution). Disinfect all surfaces: floors, walls, bars and everything else. Once the entire kennel is covered in a solution of disinfectant, use a stiff brush to scrub every surface thoroughly. Be careful not to miss any small nooks and crannies, particularly door handles, latches and hinges. At this point you may need to leave the disinfectant to do its magic—read the instructions if you are not sure.
  • Rinse and dry – Using hot water, rinse off the disinfectant until no more remains (this is important because if any disinfectant is left behind it could irritate the dog’s skin and respiratory system). Once you have rinsed the kennel, remove as much of the excess water as possible and leave the kennel to air dry.
  • Put everything back in place – Now that you have cleaned the kennel, clean bedding, toys, food and water bowls, and of course the dog, can be put back inside.

Make Life Easier

Cleaning kennels is a lot easier when the kennel surfaces are smooth and free from cracks and other imperfections. Concrete floors are the norm, but there are other alternatives if you are concerned about hygiene. Proclad PVC panels can be used to clad concrete walls and other kennel surfaces. These are easily cleaned and resistant to dirt and bacteria.

Tips for Keeping a Kennel Clean

Place a dog’s bed, food and water bowl near the kennel door. Most dogs don’t like to foul the sleeping and eating area, so this will ensure he does most of his business at the back of the kennel. If you do the reverse, he is likely to paddle through the mess when he comes to greet you at the door so it won’t be much fun for you when he jumps up with mucky paws.

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