How To Clean A Dog Cage Properly

How to Clean a Dog Kennel

Medium

20 - 40 Minutes

1 Day

Introduction

A kennel can describe a variety of shelters for your dog. Some kennels are large open runs made for your dog to exercise in and relieve himself, and these need to be cleaned daily to remove urine and feces. Some kennels are much smaller, such as crates, that are usually used indoors to provide a safe place for your dog while being transported, a rest area, or may be used for potty training your dog.

What if your new puppy has an accident in his crate/kennel while you were housetraining training him, now he and his kennel are covered in mess! Time to bathe your puppy and clean the kennel thoroughly, it is his bed after all.

If you use a large kennel run for your dog to relieve himself in your yard you need to clean it up daily or your dog will be stepping in his own mess and worse: tracking it in your house for you to step in! Besides, you want to provide sanitary home for your dog. Feces can spread bacteria and parasites. Whether you are cleaning a small kennel or a big one there are some practical steps you can take to make sure it is done well.

Dog's Perspective

Most dog do not like to be housed in their own filth, some however seem to not mind so much, which can be a problem if they step, roll, or otherwise become covered in their own waste. Even if your dog doesn't have an accident or use his kennel as a bathroom area, you will want to ensure it says clean of hair and dirt so it is a nice clean home for your dog to enjoy.

Caution & Considerations

Do not use ammonia cleaners in kennels as the smell is similar to urine and can cause your dog to urinate in his kennel.
Make sure disinfecting solutions are completely rinsed off as they can damage materials on your kennel if residue is left. If residue gets on your dog's paws, it can make him sick when licked off.
Be sure to disinfect all items in a kennel as bacteria and fungus can grow on soiled items.
Disinfect walls of the kennel as well as the floor, especially if kennels are used by multiple dogs, to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria that can cause disease.

Conclusion

Just like you enjoy a clean tidy home, so does your dog. Well, hopefully anyway. Certainly, keeping your dog's home clean will keep your home cleaner when your dog comes in your house. Cleaning and disinfecting your dog's kennel also reduces the likelihood that bacteria, fungi and parasites will take hold in your dog's home and cause infections. Shared kennels need to be disinfected between occupants to prevent the spread of viral diseases that can be serious or even fatal. A thorough job of removing waste, cleaning, and disinfecting surfaces, rinsing and air drying is required to thoroughly clean a kennel. Also, contents of the kennels such as dishes, toys and bedding should be disinfected as appropriate, for whatever materials they are made of. Remember a clean home is a happy home!

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

Grooming Questions & Answers

We bought a secondhand wooden dog crate and I'm not sure how to go about cleaning it. What is the best solution to use on wood and how can I be sure the crate is clean enough for such a young puppy?

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