A kennel or dog daycare business is a great way to provide a safe and comfortable environment for dogs to stay and play while their owners are away. To make sure the dogs are healthy, happy and safe, it's crucial to maintain high standards for cleanliness and hygiene. No one wants to drop off their pet at a dirty facility. There's no bigger turnoff than walking in the door of a dog daycare and being overwhelmed by a stench. People don't expect your facility to smell like daisies, but they
at least want it to smell clean.
In this blog post, we'll outline six ways to ensure that your kennel is always spotless and hygienic.
1. Establish a Cleaning Schedule
One of the most important things to do is to establish a regular cleaning schedule. This schedule should include all areas of your kennel such as the play area, kennels, bathrooms and kitchen. Cleaning should be done at least once a day and more often if necessary. If you're a one-man/woman show, you're going to be doing all the cleaning and maybe you think you don't need a schedule. Wrong!
Cleaning schedules are important because they force you to follow a set routine. So, even if it's getting late and you feel like doing it tomorrow, the schedule will force you to clean out the feeding dishes today instead.
2. Use the Right Cleaning Products
When it comes to cleaning, it's important to use the right products. Use pet-friendly, environmentally friendly cleaning products that are specifically designed for pet facilities. This will help keep your kennel clean and safe for dogs. There are numerous
pet-friendly cleaning products out there, so make sure you pick the right ones for the job. You'll want to
avoid certain types of cleaning products that are unsafe for pets as well.
3. Keep a Checklist
Keeping a checklist can be a great way to make sure that every area of your kennel is being cleaned thoroughly. The checklist should include all areas of the kennel and the tasks that need to be completed. This will help you stay organized and keep track of what has been done and what still needs to be done.
Checklists are essential because they give you the sense of accomplishment that makes completing boring tasks more bearable. Having a checklist will also make sure that you don't forget something by accident. The checklist will keep you....in check!
4. Disinfect the Kennels Regularly
Disinfecting the kennels regularly is critical to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Use a disinfectant that is specifically designed for pet facilities. This will kill germs and prevent the spread of diseases. When pet owners drop off their pets or pick up their pets, they're most likely going to ask to see the facility. If your facility is dirty and the kennels aren't cleaned, you're going to be leaving a bad taste in their mouth and they might not want to come back in the future.
5. Use Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation is important in any kennel to ensure that the air is fresh and clean. This will help keep the dogs healthy and comfortable. Make sure that there is enough fresh air circulating and that the kennels are well ventilated. As I stated in the opening paragraph, there's nothing worse than a dog kennel that smells too much like a kennel. Having a
well-ventilated building will make sure that even if a dog does have an accident in their kennel that the smell of feces doesn't remain inside the building.
6. Hire a Professional Cleaning Service
If you're feeling overwhelmed with cleaning, consider hiring a professional cleaning service. They have the right tools, knowledge and expertise to keep your kennel clean and hygienic. This can also free up time for you to focus on other important tasks such as training and caring for the dogs. You might not need to have a professional service come every week, but you might want to look into paying for a monthly deep clean. You and your team can take care of keeping the kennel clean for the most part, but you'll know that every few weeks, the pros will come in to do a thorough cleaning.