Hypochlorous acid pet care spray with leash, pet brush, cat toys, and pet bed

Hypochlorous Acid Pet Care
for Dogs and Cats

Pet life is an adventure. Be prepared.

Hot spots. Minor cuts. Itchy skin. Funky smells. Dirty paws.

Keep HOCl on hand to kill germs and odor-causing bacteria.

Use freshly activated HOCl for better performance — without the uncertainty of premixed sprays.

Lick-Safe. Fragrance-Free. No Sting.

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What is HOCl for Pet Care?

HOCl kills germs and odor-causing bacteria on your pet’s skin, coat, paws, and shared spaces. Use it for the everyday issues pet parents search for most: hot spots, irritated skin, minor cuts and scrapes, tear stains, stinky coats, funky paws, and dirty pet spaces.

HOCl, short for hypochlorous acid, is a germ-fighting molecule dogs, cats, and humans naturally produce to help defend against bacteria and other pathogens. River Refresh creates a gentle, no-rinse topical pure HOCl formula for dogs and cats.

Non-toxic. Safe if licked. No-rinse. Fragrance-free. No sting.

Cat and dog snuggled together in a dog bed — Gatti and Mora

Meet Gatti & Mora

Everyday pet life with River Refresh

Top Uses for Pet Owners

Freshly activated HOCl helps clean where pet life gets messy — irritated skin, odor-prone paws and coats, minor cuts and scrapes, tear and outer ear areas, and shared spaces like beds, crates, toys, and litter areas. It kills germs and odor-causing bacteria without alcohol, fragrance, or rinse requirements.

Read the Pet Care Guide - Uses & Safety →
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Skin + Comfort

  • Hot spots
  • Itchy skin + allergies
  • Licking + chewing
Paw print icon

Paws + Odor

  • Stinky paws
  • Funky smells
  • Skin folds
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Cleanup + Recovery

  • Cuts, scrapes + sores
  • Ears
  • Face + tear stains
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Living Spaces

  • Beds + crates
  • Toys + litter areas
  • Living spaces

Dog or Cat? Same Formula. Different Care Needs.

For barkers or purrers — from the little ones to our beloved seniors — dogs and cats share the same fresh HOCl pet care formula, but not the same routine. Pick your furry friend and see care tips built for them.

Dogs and cats use River Refresh differently because pet life shows up differently. For dogs, fresh HOCl often fits active care routines: paws after walks, hot spots, licking, outdoor mess, odor, and rough-play cleanup. For cats, fresh HOCl often fits more controlled care: chin areas, tear areas, paws, over-groomed spots, minor scrapes, and no-rinse cleanup for cats that lick everything.

Black lab dog on the grass

Meet Maverick

Heart of gold. Couch monitor.

For Dogs — Woof!

For dirty paws, hot spots, itchy skin, licking, stinky paws, odor, outer ear areas, and minor cuts or scrapes — with no-rinse cleanup for dogs from playful puppies to golden oldies.

Hypochlorous Acid for Dogs

Is HOCl safe for dogs?

Yes. HOCl is non-toxic and safe if licked after topical use. River Refresh Pet Care is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, no-rinse, and no sting for dogs from playful puppies to golden oldies.

Can I use HOCl on dog paws?

Yes. HOCl can be used on dog paws to clean dirt, moisture, licking residue, and odor-causing bacteria. It is useful after walks, outdoor play, daycare, or grooming.

Can HOCl help dog hot spots?

HOCl helps keep hot spots and irritated skin areas clean by killing germs on the skin surface. Worsening, swollen, painful, or infected hot spots should be checked by a veterinarian.

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Can HOCl help itchy dog skin?

Yes. HOCl can help clean itchy, irritated, or allergy-prone skin areas. It is especially useful where dogs lick, chew, or scratch repeatedly.

Can I use HOCl around dog ears?

Use HOCl around outer ear areas only. Do not apply inside the ear canal unless directed by a veterinarian.

READ: Hypochlorous Acid for Dogs →
Brown Tabby Kitten on blanket sticking tongue out

Meet Tallulah

Tiny whiskers. Big personality.

For Cats — Meow!

For chin areas, over-groomed spots, itchy skin, minor scrapes, and paws — with low-stress cleanup for cats that lick everything, from sweet tiny kittens to seasoned companions.

Hypochlorous Acid for Cats

Is HOCl safe for cats?

Yes. HOCl is non-toxic and safe if licked after topical use. River Refresh Pet Care is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, no-rinse, and no sting.

Can I use HOCl on cat paws?

Yes. HOCl can be used on cat paws to clean dirt, moisture, and odor-causing bacteria after outdoor time or litter box use.

Can HOCl help with itchy cat skin?

HOCl can help clean over-groomed spots, itchy areas, and minor skin irritation. It is gentle enough for sensitive cat skin and safe if licked.

Can I use HOCl on cat chin or face areas?

Yes. HOCl works well for chin acne, tear stain areas, and facial folds where gentle no-rinse cleanup is needed.

Can I use HOCl acid around cat ears?

Use HOCl around outer ear areas only. Do not apply inside the ear canal unless directed by a veterinarian.

READ: Hypochlorous Acid for Cats →

Shop Fresh HOCl Pet Care

Pet Cleanser + Deodorizer

Start with the 32 oz Starter Kit: reusable bottles, two fresh 16 oz batches, and a refill system built around Activation Packets™.

  • 16 oz mixing spray bottle
  • 4 oz travel bottle for on-the-go care
  • Two 16 oz Activation Packets™ - 2 fresh batches
  • Pet formula: 300 ppm at pH 6.5 ± 0.2
River Refresh pet cleanser and deodorizer with HOCl activation packet

You Activate. You Control Freshness.

Trust what you use on the pets you love.

Why Fresh HOCl Matters

When you’re caring for the pet you love, you do not want uncertainty from a premixed bottle.

Hypochlorous acid performs best when freshly activated at the right concentration and pH for its intended use. Once HOCl is made, exposure to light, air, and heat reduces strength and lowers antimicrobial effectiveness.

River Refresh makes fresh HOCl in about 30 seconds with an Activation Packet™ and purified water, so you control when it is made, how it is stored, and how fresh it is when you use it.

Read More: Why Fresh Hypochlorous Acid Matters

Control Freshness. Trust Performance.™

Simple to Make. Easy to Use.

River Refresh is designed for everyday pet care: activate fresh HOCl in the bottle, then apply where your pet needs cleaning support.

Daisy the white poodle in a red sweater on a park bench

Meet Daisy

Park patrol. Style queen.

Pet Care FAQs

Quick answers for using fresh HOCl safely in everyday dog and cat care — from licking and paws to ears, tear areas, minor scrapes, and odor.

HOCl kills germs and odor-causing bacteria, so you can care for the pets you love with a lick-safe, no-rinse, fragrance-free solution that does not sting.

View all FAQs by category →

Is hypochlorous acid safe if my pet licks it?

Yes — hypochlorous acid is non-toxic and safe if licked when formulated for pets and used as directed.

How do you apply hypochlorous acid to pets?

Spray directly or apply with a saturated applicator. Use direct spray when appropriate, or use a saturated applicator for more control around the face, folds, paws, cats, or sensitive areas. Let the area air dry.

Can hypochlorous acid be used around my pet's eyes or ears?

Use around tear areas, facial folds, and outer ear areas only. Do not spray directly into the eyes or apply inside the ear canal unless directed by a veterinarian.

Is hypochlorous acid safe for daily pet care?

Yes — HOCl can be used as part of routine pet care. Use it for skin, coat, paws, odor-prone areas, cuts, scrapes, sores, and everyday hygiene when used as directed.

Can hypochlorous acid replace veterinary care?

No — HOCl supports topical hygiene and first-aid care. Deep wounds, infected areas, severe hot spots, eye issues, ear infections, or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a veterinarian.