How to Clean a Dog Kennel: Step-by-Step Guide (Parvo-Safe)

A dirty kennel quickly builds up bacteria, urine smell and stains, and in the worst case it can spread serious infections like parvo. Whether you have one dog at home or run a breeding kennel, cleaning it the right way keeps your dogs healthy. This guide shows you how to clean a dog kennel step by step, how often to do it, and what to do after a parvo case.

Why trust this guide: Planet Pets was founded by a professional breeder who has bred and shown Rottweilers for more than 28 years, so kennel hygiene is part of our daily routine. Learn more about us or contact our team with any question.

What you need

• Rubber gloves
• Poop scoop or scraper
• Stiff brush and a bucket
• Mild detergent
• A disinfectant made for kennels and pet areas
• A mop, or a hose for outdoor kennels

How to clean a dog kennel in 7 steps

1. Move your dog out. Keep them in a safe, separate area until you finish.
2. Take out bedding, bowls and toys. You will wash these separately.
3. Clear waste and hair. Scoop up poop and sweep out loose hair and food.
4. Scrub with detergent and water. Disinfectants work best on a clean surface. Dirt and poop stop them from reaching the germs.
5. Disinfect. Apply a diluted kennel disinfectant to the floor, walls, bars and corners, and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Let it dry completely. Open the kennel to fresh air. A damp kennel breeds bacteria and fungus.
7. Wash bedding and bowls. Use hot water and dry the bedding in the sun before putting it back.

How often should you clean a dog kennel?

• Every day: remove poop, wipe up urine and refresh water.
• Every week: do a full deep clean with all 7 steps.
• Straight away: after any illness, diarrhoea or vomiting.
• Breeding and multi-dog kennels: deep clean more often, and always before new puppies or new dogs move in.

How to clean a kennel after parvo

Parvo is a serious virus that can survive in a kennel for months, and many ordinary cleaners do not kill it. If a dog in your kennel has had parvo:

1. Follow your vet's advice, and keep puppies and unvaccinated dogs away from the area.
2. Throw away or hot-wash all bedding, toys and anything that can't be disinfected.
3. Clean first with detergent and water, then disinfect every surface with a disinfectant that is proven to kill parvo, at deep-clean strength.
4. Repeat the deep clean over the next few days.
5. Make sure every dog in your care is vaccinated.

Zap Kennel Wash is lab-tested to kill 100% of parvo virus. For infected areas, mix 50 ml in 10 litres of water.

Kennel cleaning tips from breeders

• Keep separate cleaning tools for each kennel, so germs don't travel between dogs.
• Clean the healthiest dogs' kennels first and any sick dog's kennel last.
• Check corners, bars, drains and gaps in tiles, where dirt and urine collect.
• If the smell comes back quickly, urine has soaked into the floor or grout. Scrub harder and use deep-clean strength.
• Keep the kennel dry and well ventilated, especially in the monsoon.

Which kennel wash should you use?

Use a kennel wash made for pet areas that disinfects, removes odour and is safe for your dogs once dry. Zap Kennel Wash is a concentrate: mix 20 ml in 30 litres of water for daily cleaning, or 50 ml in 10 litres for deep cleaning and infected areas. It removes urine and faeces smell, and kennels, breeders and vet clinics use it every day.

Dog kennel cleaning FAQs

How do you disinfect a dog kennel?

Remove waste and bedding, scrub with detergent and water, then apply a diluted kennel disinfectant to every surface and leave it for 5 to 10 minutes. Let the kennel dry fully before your dog goes back in.

What can I use to clean a dog kennel?

Use a mild detergent for scrubbing and a disinfectant made for pet areas. Avoid phenyl and strong perfumed cleaners, which can irritate dogs and are dangerous for cats.

How do I get rid of the smell in a dog kennel?

Clean up urine and poop every day, scrub the floor and grout every week, and use a kennel wash that removes odour instead of covering it. Keep the kennel dry and well ventilated.

How often should a dog kennel be cleaned?

Spot-clean every day and deep clean once a week. Clean straight away after any illness.

When can my dog go back into the kennel after cleaning?

Once the floor and surfaces are completely dry.

A clean kennel means a healthier dog

A simple routine of daily spot-cleaning and a weekly deep clean keeps germs, smells and infections away. For a kennel wash made for the job, see Zap Kennel Wash or our full range of pet friendly floor cleaners.