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10 Best Dog Disinfectants, Kennel Cleaners & Odor-Neutralizers

Breeding Business is passionate about all sorts of domesticated pets. They have written dozens of articles across the web.
Published on
Wednesday 25 March 2015
Last updated on
Tuesday 9 May 2023
The best dog cleaners and disinfectants for a fresh kennel!!
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We have listed the most popular veterinary germicides, disinfectants for dog kennels, enzymatic cleaners, and bioactive products that will neutralize odors, kill germs, and leave the area fresh, clean, and sterilized!

Following basic rules of hygiene is still the best way to prevent most pests, germs, bacteria, and infections. Anybody working in a kennel or dog breeding facility should understand the general principles of cleaning and sanitizing and then learn how to select and use the most effective cleaning products.

By keeping a constantly sanitary kennel, you will keep the vet away and build an unbeatable protective barrier against a wide range of enemies that threaten dogs, food, drinking water, and buildings.

If you own or run a kennel, pet shop, veterinary facility, animal shelter, pet resort, or boarding kennels, you need to read this page!

Best Dog Disinfectants, Kennel Cleaners & Odor-Neutralizers
Product Name Type Rating Price
1. Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
4.5/5
$$
2. Top Performance 256 Multi-Purpose Concentrated Disinfectant Detergent
4/5
$$
3. TOMLYN Trifectant Disinfectant Tablet Tablet
4.5/5
$$
4. Thornell Kennel Odor Eliminator Detergent
4.5/5
$
5. PrimePets Dog Wipes Cleaning Deodorizing Wipes
4.5/5
$

Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting?

Cleaning is the first step that removes encrusted organic matters such as stains and odors caused by vomit, feces, urine, hair, etc. There are many cleaners out there but for a thorough sanitization of your dog areas, you will have to also use a kennel disinfectant.

Disinfecting is the next step that targets germs, viruses, bacterias, and other microscopic living organisms, by limiting their development and destroying as many as possible. Both cleaning and disinfecting go hand in hand!

Do Dog Disinfectants Need to Be Environment-friendly?

Dog disinfectants do not need to be environment-friendly but because your dogs will be in contact with these products, you should favor the use of bioactive, enzymatic cleaners over synthetic and pure chemicals.

Better and safer for your dogs but also for you and for the surface you are going to use the product on! Less abrasive yet efficient, environment-friendly pet and kennel disinfectants have also seen their price drop over the last few years.

Especially for professionals such as dog breeders who clean their dog areas very regularly, you do want to use products that are as natural as possible. 

How to Choose the Right Kennel Cleaners?

Choosing the right dog disinfectants and kennel cleaners is important because there are cleaning products that contain toxic chemicals that can harm your dogs.

What should I clean my dog kennel with?

If you’re planning to clean your dog’s kennel, you can use pet-safe cleaning products first to remove stains and dirt. After that, you can use dog kennel disinfectants to make sure that your kennel is free from any fungi, bacteria, and viruses that can harm your dog. Lastly, use odor-neutralizers to remove foul odors and for a fresher smell.

Which disinfectant is safe for dogs?

Disinfectants that are plant-based and have biodegradable ingredients are safe to use when cleaning your dog’s kennel. You can also use disinfectants and cleaning products that have generous amounts of alcohol and bleach so they won’t be too toxic for your dogs.

How do you make disinfectant dog wipes?

You can make disinfectant dog wipes by mixing water with dishwashing soap, peroxide, and coconut oil. Mix them well together and pour the mixture into a container and soak all parts of the paper towels. You can also add pure baking soda, aloe vera, essential protein, herbal extract, etc. 

How to Keep Your Pets Safe Around Disinfectant and Cleaning Products

As mentioned above, some disinfectants have harmful effects on your pets and even on your plants. To avoid any toxic exposure, make sure your pets and plants are safe around your cleaning products and follow these tips:

  • Whenever you use a dog kennel disinfectant or any cleaning products, make sure to read the label carefully and follow the instructions properly. Also, you should be aware of the percentage of ingredients like bleach or alcohol, you can dilute it to avoid any high dose that can be toxic to your pets and plants.
  • After cleaning and disinfecting, make sure that you rinse the mops and buckets that you use and throw all the used wipes. Your household garbage should be sealed and secured, close all the closets and cabinets where you keep your kennel deodorizer disinfectant and other cleaning supplies.

When cleaning your pet bedding, use a regular laundry detergent or cleaning disinfectants that are meant for cleaning dog beds. Avoid using harsh detergents that can harm your dogs.

10 Best Dog Disinfectants & Kennel Cleaners

We’ve listed dog breeders’ favorite products for cleaning, odor-controlling, and disinfecting their breeding areas. As a bonus, we also offered a nice little preventive solution to avoid making it much easier to sanitize!

1. Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator

Best Environment-Friendly Cleaner

A best-selling bio-enzymatic formula that destroys any stain and odor from urine, feces, vomit, and other organic stains. This product is safe for children and other pets thanks to its environment-friendly formula made in the United States of America. There’s nothing in its active compounds that should harm your wood, stain your plastic or damage your steel.

If your dogs are allowed in your home, you will be happy to know that this amazing Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator from Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. managed to receive the Seal of Approval from the trusted Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) which certifies that it is safe to use it on your carpet, sofa, or else.

2. Top Performance 256 Pet Disinfectant

Most Popular Kennel Disinfectant

This is a product used all over the United States and in the United Kingdom by a lot of professionals including dog breeders, kennels and veterinary practices to effectively clean and sanitize cages, surfaces, and common areas.

The best advantage of this pet disinfectant is that it kills viruses, bacteria, fungi, and cleans disinfects, and deodorizes in one simple, labor-saving, step. It is a highly concentrated formula that does not need rinsing but can be rinsed if you have very sensitive dogs. A gallon makes over 250 gallons of sanitizing solution and exists in Cherry, Lemon, Wintergreen, and Fresh scents.

Many kennels and veterinary clinics rely on the 256 Pet Disinfectant to fight against HIV-1, canine parvovirus, canine distemper, feline picornavirus, staph, salmonella, E. coli, herpes, adenovirus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, rabies, bordetella bronchiseptica, kennel cough, pseudorabies, respiratory syncytial virus, and streptococcus.

3. Tom Lyn Trifectant Disinfectant Tablet

— Best Multi-Action Disinfectant

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This powerful disinfectant leaves a pleasant citrus scent and requires only a few minutes to kill 99% of the major viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. It is extremely effective against canine parvovirus and rabies which makes it a must-have for dog breeding facilities.

Now available in tablet form, the Tom Lyn Trifectant Disinfectant has a biodegradable formula and can be used indoors as much as outdoors. Avoid carpets and sofas as some feedback mentioned the color changed at the spot the solution was used.

Each tablet once diluted gives you a pint of a liquid solution, usable in a spray bottle or with a mop. Tablets mean you save a lot of space and can just pop one when you want to start a deep cleaning session, it is very convenient for smaller kennels or dog boarding facilities.

4. Kennel Odor Eliminator

— Best Kennel Odor Remover

Perfect for dog breeders keeping their dogs outside in kennels, this strong product does one thing, and one thing only—it removes kennel odors! It’s cheap, efficient, and simple to use: add a little bit of the Kennel Odor Eliminator to your usual cleaning product and go ahead with your regular cleaning routine. It will attack even the oldest kennel odors in your runs, playpens, cages, floors, etc.

The ingredients are non-toxic to pets and humans and should not irritate whatsoever. Note the efficacy of the Kennel Odor Eliminator will diminish if you are using it with chlorine-based bleach. Many reviews mention that they used it on light-colored carpets without facing any problem.

Ideal to fight dog smell, this is not a disinfectant and shouldn’t be used alone for cleaning.

5. PrimePets Dog Wipes Cleaning Deodorizing

— Best Deodorizing Dog Wipes

These premium dog wipes contain natural ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin E, and chamomile. PrimePets’ cleansing wipes help to keep your dog’s fur soft while removing dirt, it’s alcohol-free and no harsh chemicals are used making it pet-friendly and safe to use.

Since it’s free from parabens, sulfates, and alcohol, it can be used daily to clean and moisturize your pet’s paw, body, face, eyes, and bums. This disinfectant wipes safe for pets have a perfect size (8” x 6”) to disinfect your dog’s body, it features a thick and durable quilted material that’s perfect for heavy coat pets.

6. Smells Begone Pet Odor Absorber Gel

— Best Pet Safe Odor Absorber Gel

This air freshener and odor eliminator will continue to absorb pet odors for up to 90 days in a 450 square feet room. Its ingredient is derived from plants which makes it safe for your pets and children.

You can use this pet odor absorber gel in your home or office to remove foul odors from your pet. You can simply remove the top label and open the jar to remove the interior liner, next is to screw the cap back on and they’re ready to use. For it to have maximum effectiveness, make sure to place it in a well-ventilated area.

7. Nature’s Pure Edge Yard Odor Eliminator

— Strongest All-Natural Odor Remover

This odor eliminator is perfect for your dog kennel, garage, patio, lawns, and artificial grass. Nature’s Pure Edge Yard Odor Eliminator can instantly remove urine and fecal odors when sprinkled on a specific area, thanks to its triple strength formula.

Don’t worry, it’s 100% pet and child-safe since it has natural ingredients. If you want a safe, non-toxic, odorless, and fast-acting odor remover, then this one is perfect for you!

8. ANGRY ORANGE Pet Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor

— Best Pet Odor Eliminator Spray

Looking for a powerful kennel deodorizer disinfectant? The Angry Orange odor eliminator can deodorize carpets and remove strong and lingering smells. It’s derived from orange peels that give a citrus scent which is perfectly safe for pets.

It’s also ready to use, no need to mix water or any ingredients, you can simply spray it on the area where the foul odor is. Make sure to shake first before using to have the best result.

This pet odor eliminator can also be used for tiles, couches, carpets, beddings, garbage cans, car interiors, and more.

9. Arava Dog Cleaning and Deodorizing Wet Wipes

— Best Deep Cleaning Dog Wet Wipes

The Arava Dog Cleaning and Deodorizing Wet Wipes contain ingredients that are safe for your pets. These hydration grooming wipes have silk protein to nourish and moisturize your pet’s coat and repair any damages.

It’s also formulated with Chlorhexidine that soothes and sanitizes your dog’s skin, don’t worry because these pre-moistened, hypoallergenic wipes are suitable for all breeds.

This disinfectant wipes safe for pets also has a deep cleaning formula made with 26 Dead Sea minerals that remove odor, dust, and dirt from your pet’s face, body, and other sensitive areas.

The best part here is that Arava makes direct donations to animal rights organizations for each purchased grooming product.

10. Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odor Remover

— Best Multi-functional Pet Stain and Odor Remover

Designed to eliminate the toughest odors and organic stains, the Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odor Remover instantly became pet owners’ favorites! This odor and stain remover is 3x stronger than other cleaning products and can remove tough dog odors and stains easily.


It has professional strength pro-bacteria and enzyme formulas that remove odors and stains caused by feces, vomit, urine, and drool. It features a new patented multi-functional, 3-in-1 nozzle sprayer that has mist (great for surface stains), foam (great for embedded stains), and stream (great for odor control).

Best Dog Disinfectant and Kennel Cleaners: FAQ

We gathered the top frequently asked questions about the best pet kennel cleaners and deodorizer disinfectants, below are the best answers to your inquiries.

How often should a kennel be cleaned?

You should clean your dog’s kennel frequently. Since it can take just a few minutes for your dogs to ravage their kennels, you should clean and disinfect them from time to time. Also, make sure to do deep cleaning weekly.

What dog disinfectant do vets use?

Most shelters and animal hospitals use Virkon, Rescu, Trifectant, and bleach to make sure that their place is virus-free (since some sick pets are confined there). Before using these products, make sure to ask your vet or identify the proper dose and how to use these disinfectants to avoid poisoning accidents.

How do you disinfect a wooden dog kennel?

You can use disinfectant spray cleaners or add a dash of white vinegar and mix it with water. You can spray the vinegar solution inside your dog’s kennel and wipe it with a towel so it can cover the entire surface.

What’s the best dog urine neutralizer?

There are plenty of dog odor-neutralizers that you can use but if you can’t afford to buy one, you can use baking soda. Simply sprinkle it on the area and let it sit overnight so it can absorb the odor and remove the smell completely.

How do you keep a dog kennel from smelling?

Clean your dog’s kennel daily and use a pet-safe disinfectant cleaner to maintain the cleanliness and safety of your pets. Make sure that you’ll use disinfectants that are not toxic to your pets and use the right ratio to prevent any harm to your dogs.

How do I get rid of pet odor in my house?

You can use natural odor remover spray or odor absorber gels to remove the foul smell inside your home. Also, you can use a pet disinfectant wipe to clean your dogs especially if they love to play outside.

A dog breeder has written a post on Breeding Business about her daily kennel cleaning routine, check it out and apply the advice she gives. We hope these products will be useful to you as much as they are to thousands of pet professionals around the world!

6 comments on “10 Best Dog Disinfectants, Kennel Cleaners & Odor-Neutralizers”

  1. Stephanie

    Eco-88 is an excellent product that absolutely removes pet stains and odors. No harsh chemicals. This is not an enzyme cleaner, but new technology working at the molecular level. Let me know if you would be interested in trying our product.

    1. Sam F

      are you kidding me? these products are insanely expensive. no thanks.

  2. Masselvik

    Good video review
    I told myself for two years that I’d get something like this and I finally did and I’m so glad! I travel a few times a year back to my hometown with my dog and had to haul his heavy metal crate. This was FANTASTIC. It’s lightweight. It’s so easy to assemble and disassemble. It took a little coaxing to get him in it, because it was different, but he loved it. The only issue is that I can’t zip or unzip the door panel while it’s fully erect. The zippers stick. But as soon as I release the sides, I can zip it up. My pup is 85 lbs, I got the largest size. He can lay in it comfortably but he doesn’t have a lot of room to move around.
    Regards,
    Masselvik

  3. Larry Shively

    I just want to comment that there is no such thing as a natural, biodegradable or environmentally friendly disinfectant. All disinfectants are classified as pesticides by the E.P.A.. This is important to note, because we receive numerous calls from pet owners and breeders with puppies that have contracted Canine Parvovirus, who want to know if there is a disinfectant that they can use to sanitize their natural or synthetic grass surface. Not only aren’t disinfectants environmentally friendly, including the product we manufacture, they offer little or no efficacy on porous surfaces such as grass, carpet and /or upholstered surfaces. There are protocols that can be implemented to help manage and reduce the spread of viruses such as Canine Parvovirus. Thank you!

  4. SonnieMartin

    What is good to disinfect with for Giardia and Coccidia? Kennels are concrete and outdoor area is grass.

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