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

Hypochlorous Acid Pet Care
for Dogs and Cats

Pets make life better —and a little messier. Fresh HOCl helps you handle it.

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

Helps eliminate germs and odor-causing bacteria with a pet-care formula you activate fresh.

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What is HOCl for Pet Care?

HOCl helps eliminate germs and odor-causing bacteria on your pet’s skin, coat, paws, and shared spaces. It gives pet parents a simple way to care for everyday problem areas like irritated skin, minor cuts and scrapes, tear areas, odor-prone coats, funky paws, and dirty pet spaces.

HOCl, short for hypochlorous acid, is a germ-fighting molecule dogs, cats, and humans naturally produce as part of the body’s antimicrobial defense. River Refresh creates a gentle, no-rinse topical 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 areas, minor cuts and scrapes, around the eyes, outer ear and pet spaces like beds, crates, toys and litter areas. A no-rinse solution that helps eliminate germs and odor-causing bacteria without alcohol or fragrance.

Pet Care Guide - Uses & Safety →
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Skin + Comfort

  • Hot spots
  • Itchy skin + allergies
  • Licking + chewing
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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 + gear
  • Litter areas

Dog or Cat? Same Formula. Different Care Needs.

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

Hypochlorous Acid for Dogs

Maverick, a black Lab lying on the grass

Meet Maverick

Heart of gold. Couch monitor.

Explore how fresh HOCl fits into everyday dog care, from dirty paws and odors to itchy skin and minor scrapes.

Hypochlorous Acid for Dogs page→

Hypochlorous Acid for Cats

Tallulah, a brown tabby kitten on a blanket with her tongue out

Meet Tallulah

Tiny whiskers. Big personality.

Learn how fresh HOCl fits into everyday cat care, from paws and chin areas to over-groomed spots, itchy skin or minor scrapes.

Hypochlorous Acid for Cats page→

Shop Fresh HOCl Pet Care

Pet Cleanser + Deodorizer

Start with the 48 oz Starter Kit: reusable bottles, three 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
  • 3 16 oz Activation Packets™ - 3 fresh batches
  • Pet formula: 300 ppm at pH 6.5 ± 0.2

Why Fresh HOCl Matters

When you’re caring for the pet you love, you want confidence in the freshness, formulation and performance of what you're using.

HOCl is a powerful but sensitive antimicrobial. Exposure to heat, sunlight and air breaks down HOCl, reducing its effectiveness. With premixed solutions, you do not know what the solution may have been exposed to before it reaches you — from warehouse storage to heat during shipping and delivery.

River Refresh lets you activate fresh HOCl in about 30 seconds. Your pet-care formula starts at its intended concentration and pH for reliable HOCl performance against germs and odor-causing bacteria.

Read More: Why Fresh Hypochlorous Acid Matters

Control Freshness. Trust Performance.™

River Refresh HOCl Pet Cleanser + Deodorizer on the floor beside a dog bed, leash, and cat toys

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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 helps eliminate 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 for dogs and cats?

Yes. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a naturally occurring antimicrobial molecule produced by dogs, cats, and humans as part of the immune system’s defense against germs. River Refresh Pet Cleanser + Deodorizer is a topical, no-rinse HOCl formula made for everyday dog and cat care. It is non-toxic, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and does not sting.

Is hypochlorous acid safe if my pet licks it?

Yes. River Refresh Pet Cleanser + Deodorizer is non-toxic and safe if licked after topical use. Dogs and cats may naturally lick their paws, coat, or skin after application, so no rinsing is needed. Safe if licked does not mean the product is intended for intentional ingestion.

How do you apply hypochlorous acid to pets?

Prep, apply, and air dry. Remove visible dirt or debris first and part the fur when needed to reach the skin. Spray directly for broader coverage or use a saturated cotton pad, soft cloth, or gauze for more controlled application. Wet the area thoroughly, then let it air dry. No rinsing is needed.

Can I use hypochlorous acid around my pet’s eyes and ears?

Yes, with the right application. Around the eyes, use HOCl on the surrounding skin and tear areas with a saturated pad or soft cloth rather than spraying directly into the eyes. Around the ears, apply to the outer ear flap and entrance only. Do not use HOCl as an eye drop or flush it into the ear canal unless directed by a veterinarian.

Can hypochlorous acid be used every day on pets?

Yes. HOCl can be used as part of routine dog and cat care whenever cleaning support is needed. Common uses include paws after walks, odor-prone coats, skin folds, sanitary cleanup, and other areas that become dirty, damp, or irritated. Apply as needed and let the area air dry.

Can I use hypochlorous acid on paws, itchy skin, hot spots, and minor cuts or scrapes?

Yes. HOCl helps clean paws, itchy or over-groomed areas, hot spots, and minor cuts or scrapes by reducing germs and odor-causing bacteria on the skin surface. It supports everyday topical hygiene but does not treat the underlying cause of persistent itching, allergies, infection, or more serious wounds. Painful, swollen, worsening, or infected areas should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Does hypochlorous acid sting or need to be rinsed off?

No. River Refresh Pet Cleanser + Deodorizer is a no-sting, no-rinse formula. Apply enough HOCl to wet the area and let it air dry naturally. When It’s Wet, It’s Working™.

What is the difference between River Refresh Pet Cleanser + Deodorizer and Surface Cleaner?

River Refresh Pet Cleanser + Deodorizer is formulated for topical use on dogs and cats at 300 ppm and pH 6.5 ±0.2. It can also be used on pet-associated spaces such as beds, crates, toys, and litter areas.

River Refresh Surface Cleaner is a stronger 500 ppm formula made for household surfaces. For direct use on your pet’s skin, coat, paws, face, or other body areas, use Pet Cleanser + Deodorizer.