People have been cautiously optimistic and hopeful that the pandemic would start to slow down as more people get the vaccine.
However, the Delta variant, which experts note causes more severe effects, has quickly swept across the country. Over 93% of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are caused by the Delta variant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting takes centerstage to safeguard our health during this time of the pandemic. Everyone continues to sanitize their homes and items they encounter to avoid getting sick. The same logic applies for dogs, cats, and other animals, too.
Disinfecting Dog Kennels Against the Delta Strain
Using a pet safe disinfectant may be all that stands between your pet-related business and a COVID-19 pet outbreak. Cleaning and disinfecting hot-spot areas for germs in your breeding kennel, veterinary practice, or grooming station prevents the spread of the disease to the animals you work with and their owners.
According to the CDC, spreading COVID-19 through animals is considered low, Dogs and cats have the highest number of known COVID-19 animal cases in the country. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that almost 80% of COVID-19 animal infections were among cats and dogs.
Although there is no concrete evidence on the Delta variant spreading to dogs and infecting people, it is better to err on the side of caution.
The Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting
Cleaning a surface or area means simply removing the visible dirt, dust, and grime. Meanwhile, disinfecting the area means killing the germs, bacteria, and other disease-carrying pathogens that are invisible to the naked eye.
A cleaner disinfectant for your kennel or vet clinic works best compared to using bleach. Bleach is only a disinfectant — you must use other products to clean the surface first. Once the area is cleaned and dried, only then can you apply bleach to disinfect the area. Lastly, the bleach needs to be rinsed and wiped off, as well.
Aside from proper cleaning and disinfection protocols, you also need the right products to keep your business sanitized and safe from COVID.
Using the Right Products to Ensure Sanitation
Using KennelSol Germicidal Disinfectant, for instance, allows you to both clean and disinfect your workstation. There is no need to rinse it off. You just need to remember to remove as much organic material like dirt and poop on the surface before cleaning and disinfecting the area.
KennelSol is not only a non-toxic and pet-safe disinfectant — it is also a deodorizer and germicidal cleaner. Best of all, KennelSol is included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) List N of disinfectants found to kill all traces of the COVID-19 virus.
For optimal results, the EPA recommends letting any disinfectant sit and remain wet on the surface for 10 minutes or more to ensure it kills most of the germs.
Properly disinfecting your dog kennel, veterinary clinic, or grooming station with Alpha Tech Pet’s products goes a long way to prevent your dogs from getting the disease. This way, you can ensure the health of your staff and clients while also maintaining the quality of your products and services.
For more education information contact Tom Bissanti: Tom@AlphaTechPet.com or visit our pet industry education website.