We Americans love our pets, or fur babies (or whichever trendy word we’re now using). We take them to pet boutiques (dog groomers). What was once boarding has now become pet hotels…you get the gist. Evidence of our love is everywhere. And don’t they deserve it? But no matter what you choose to call these businesses, when your dog is sick or you’re away on vacation most people want nothing but the best for their hairy loved-ones. A large part of what makes a veterinary clinic or animal boarding facility safe and comfortable is it’s level of cleanliness. Proper sanitation is crucial for preventing the spread of disease or infestation. For owners and managers of these facilities you want to make sure you’re making the responsible choice when it comes to your commercial cleaning service.
Chemical management for Pet Boarding Cleaning
When it comes to cleaning facilities that care for, or board animals one of the most important factors is the choice of chemicals used. Harsh or caustic cleaning products can pose a threat to animals if ingested or inhaled. This is why vetting and evaluating your cleaning service begins with a discussion on their cleaning products. You want to make sure your cleaning company is following strict guidelines that adhere to OSHA standards. All cleaning chemicals should be properly labeled and stored in a responsible manner. SDS sheets should be kept nearby and easily accessible to everybody. SDS sheets define:
- What a cleaning chemical is made of
- It’s classification
- Emergency care instructions in case of acute exposure
- Instructions for proper dilution.
Chemical Selection for Pet Hospital Cleaning
When it comes to choosing which cleaning chemicals to use, milder is always better. Sage advice right? Only some cleaning companies will use things like bleach-based products and toilet bowl acid. While the strong fumes of bleach might signal ‘cleaniness’ in the minds of some, this is definitely an outdated perspective. These days hospital-grade anti-virulent or disinfectants can be utilized to effectively sanitize your veterinary clinic. And they can do so with fewer caustic fumes. Here is a list of viral pathogens that can affect dogs and cats in boarding facilities:
Dogs:
- Canine Parvovirus (CPV) – Highly contagious; causes vomiting, diarrhea (often bloody), and severe dehydration.
- Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) – Affects respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
- Canine Influenza (CIV) – Respiratory virus causing coughing, nasal discharge, and fever.
- Canine Adenovirus (CAV) – Causes infectious canine hepatitis (CAV-1) and respiratory disease (CAV-2).
- Canine Coronavirus (CCoV) – Mild gastrointestinal symptoms; different from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
- Kennel Cough (Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex) – Often caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, but viral agents include:
- Canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV)
- Canine herpesvirus
- Canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV)
Cats:
- Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1) – Causes feline viral rhinotracheitis; respiratory signs, eye and nasal discharge.
- Feline Calicivirus (FCV) – Oral ulcers, sneezing, nasal congestion, and sometimes limping.
- Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) – Also known as feline distemper; causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) – Suppresses the immune system; can cause anemia and cancers.
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) – A slow-acting virus leading to immunodeficiency.
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) – Mutated feline coronavirus; fatal in most cases.
Tools and Equipment for Veterinary Cleaning
There are a variety of tools and techniques for key tasks such as dusting and vacuuming. Sure, you could try to use a feather duster, but is that the most appropriate tool for the job? The answer is no, and here’s why: these dusters mostly push the dust particles around. They do not extract the dust. Vacuums equipped with HEPA filters actually capture fine particles such as animal dander, dust, dirt, hair, etc. As you can imagine things like this can quickly build up. Excess amounts of dust can dander go airborne, negatively effecting indoor air quality. Here is a list of modern cleaning equipment that professional janitorial companies would use to clean animal boarding facilities:
- HEPA Vacuums – Capture fine dust, allergens, and bacteria—essential for healthcare and sensitive environments.
- Microfiber Cloths & Mops – Trap more dirt and bacteria than cotton; reusable and eco-friendly.
- Color-Coded Cleaning Tools – Prevent cross-contamination (e.g., red for restrooms, blue for general areas).
- Extendable Dusters & High Dusting Tools – Reach vents, ceilings, and light fixtures safely.
- Spray Bottles & Chemical Dispensers – For accurate dilution and safe handling of cleaning chemicals.
As our love of pets gets seemingly gets more fanatical each year, so does the language we use to describe them: Pets are people too! However, when it comes to proper cleaning, make sure you understand the language. Not all commercial cleaning is the same. Cleaning programs and procedures should be adjusted to reflect the needs and requirements of the facility. If you own or manage an animal care business be sure you understand how your janitorial company cleaning, what they clean, and what they’re using to do it. Have questions? Contact our team at BCS today.