At Revival Animal Health, we’ve had the privilege of working with kennels, breeding programs, and animal care facilities across the country. Through these partnerships, we’ve gained valuable insight into what works well when it comes to kennel management, animal health, and daily operations.

From sanitation protocols to deworming routines and disease prevention strategies, we’ve seen a wide range of approaches in action. Our goal is to help you streamline your facility, improve outcomes, and create the healthiest environment possible for your dogs.

In this guide, we’re sharing a summary of the top kennel best practices we’ve observed—practical, proven tips to support a cleaner, safer, and more efficient operation. Whether you’re managing a high-volume breeding facility, a boarding kennel, or a small-scale rescue, these recommendations can help elevate the care you provide.

Tip: Instead of changing everything you’re doing, change one thing and see the positive results. Over time, you will feel more comfortable trying new practices and finding out what works best for your facility.

Biosecurity for Dogs

We have seen an increased awareness of biosecurity. Establishing protocols can help limit exposure to disease. A simplistic approach works best, as it is easily understood. Washing hands with soap and warm water remains one of the most simple, trusted methods for increasing biosecurity. Wash hands immediately after entering a facility and repeat if going from one facility to another. Using disinfecting mats at all entry points will help eliminate diseases carried on your footwear. Disposable shoe covers, rubber gloves and even disposable coveralls should be readily available to anyone entering the facility. Maintaining a specific quarantine area for any new arrivals will also prove beneficial for your facility. Quarantine should last three weeks, and new arrivals should be carefully monitored for diseases and other issues.

What Disinfectant is Used in Kennels?

Knowing the differences among disinfectants helps you know which one to choose. For years, we have heard that the cheapest, most effective disinfectant is bleach. A fantastic surface disinfectant, bleach allows little margin for error and can be a health hazard for puppies and kittens if handled improperly. Additionally, it does not penetrate organic matter. Virkon avoids this issue, disinfecting the surface and penetrating into any missed organic matter. This is especially important when illness is going through your facility.

Wellness

Diets often oxidize as they sit on the shelves, losing important nutritional fundamentals. One diet may become low in vitamin B, whereas another may lack vitamin D. Too many choices and formulation differences can present a daunting decision to you as a facility manager. Many managers turn to the multivitamin/mineral supplement, Doc Roy’s^®Daily Care. These roast beef and liver flavored tablets contain 34 essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids to support a healthy and active life and assist in filling any nutritional gaps.

Deworming Dogs

One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of kennel management is strategic deworming. Many intestinal parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms, have existed for millions of years—even dating back to the time of the dinosaurs. Because of their resilience, it’s unrealistic to expect complete eradication through routine deworming alone. The true goal of a strategic deworming program is to control internal parasite loads and maintain them at a low enough level that they do not cause clinical illness or negatively impact the health of your dogs.

One of the best practices is to deworm mom with Fenbendazole, such as Safeguard Canine Dewormer used according to directions. This will lower the risk of worms being transferred to the offspring. When mom doesn’t give worms to puppies and kittens, you don’t have to fight to get them out. By strategically deworming you can minimize the risk of having issues from the beginning.

Calcium for Dogs

Moms need increased calcium during birth, and supplementing prevents the issues deficiencies cause. Signs of calcium deficiency during whelping include moms pacing, unable to get comfortable, or lying down and getting back up multiple times. We have encountered instances of moms chewing on puppies’ umbilical areas to the point of death. We recommend supplementing calcium right before whelping, and then after every other puppy is born, and have seen great success eliminating such issues. A fast-acting calcium gel like Breeder’s Edge Oral Cal Plus Gel works best as it can be hard to get a mom to take tablets during whelping.

Implementing these proven kennel best practices can make a significant difference in the health, safety, and overall well-being of the animals in your care. From improving sanitation protocols to enhancing biosecurity and daily routines, small changes can lead to better outcomes and more efficient operations. At Revival Animal Health, we’re committed to supporting breeders, kennel owners, and animal care professionals with expert guidance and trusted products. For more resources on kennel management, dog breeding, and animal health, explore our website or reach out to our Animal Care Specialists for personalized support. Call a Revival Animal Care Specialist today at 800.786.4751.