Sign In
OxiTab vs Rescue (AHP): Which Disinfectant is the Better Alternative for Animal Facilities
If you are searching for a Rescue disinfectant alternative for veterinary clinics, shelters, and kennels, this guide compares OxiTab sodium dichloroisocyanurate tablets with Rescue accelerated hydrogen peroxide across animal pathogen coverage, cost per gallon, contact times, user safety, storage, and sustainability.
Overview: OxiTab and Rescue in Animal Care
Rescue is an accelerated hydrogen peroxide disinfectant sold in ready to use liquids, wipes, and concentrate. It is EPA registered against important animal pathogens such as canine parvovirus, feline calicivirus, Bordetella, influenza, and coronaviruses including SARS CoV 2.
OxiTab is a sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) tablet that dissolves in water to release hypochlorous acid (HOCl). It is EPA registered against a wide range of pathogens including animal viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Because it ships as dry tablets, OxiTab is easier to store and ship than liquid disinfectants.
Quick Highlights
- Chemistry: OxiTab (NaDCC chlorine donor). Rescue (accelerated hydrogen peroxide).
- Animal pathogens: Both cover parvovirus, Bordetella, feline calicivirus, influenza, and coronaviruses.
- Contact times: Rescue = 1–5 minutes. OxiTab = 1–10 minutes depending on pathogen.
- Cost: OxiTab = $1.50 per gallon. Rescue = $8.13 per gallon (concentrate) or $35 per gallon (RTU).
- Storage: OxiTab tablets are compact. Rescue requires gallon jugs and wipes.
Comparison Chart: OxiTab vs Rescue
| Category | OxiTab (NaDCC tablets) | Rescue (AHP) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Dry tablet dissolved in water | Liquid RTU, wipes, or concentrate |
| Active ingredient | Sodium dichloroisocyanurate (forms HOCl) | Accelerated hydrogen peroxide |
| Pathogen coverage | Animal: canine parvovirus, canine coronavirus, avian influenza, feline calicivirus, Bordetella, ringworm. Healthcare: C. difficile, Candida auris, TB, Norovirus, SARS CoV 2. | Animal: canine parvovirus, Bordetella, feline calicivirus, canine adenovirus, influenza, SARS CoV 2. |
| Typical dilution | 1 tablet per 1 gallon | 1:16 (8 oz per gallon) for concentrate, RTU available |
| Contact time | 1–10 minutes depending on pathogen | 1–5 minutes depending on pathogen |
| Wipe/rinse after use | Air-dry on non-food-contact, rinse bowls/waterers | Air-dry on non-food-contact, rinse bowls/waterers |
| Cost per RTU gallon | $1.50 | $8.13 (concentrate), $35 (RTU) |
Animal Pathogen Coverage
OxiTab: canine parvovirus, canine coronavirus, avian influenza, Bordetella, feline calicivirus, ringworm dermatophytes. Broad additional coverage of C. difficile, Candida auris, Norovirus, and TB surrogate organisms.
Rescue: canine parvovirus, feline calicivirus, Bordetella, canine adenovirus, influenza, and SARS CoV 2.
Practical Use in Animal Care Facilities
Daily kennel cleaning: OxiTab dissolves easily in mop buckets or sprayers, one tablet per gallon. Rescue requires 8 oz concentrate per gallon or RTU products.
Parvovirus outbreak response: Both are EPA-registered for parvo. Rescue = 5 min claim at 1:16. OxiTab = 10 min claim at higher ppm.
Feeding/watering areas: Both require rinse with potable water for bowls and food-contact items.
Exam and adoption rooms: Rescue wipes are convenient for turnovers. OxiTab is cost-efficient for large surface disinfection.
Cost Analysis
1 U.S. gallon = 128 fl oz.
| Product & Use | Dilution | Cost Basis | RTU Gallons per Jug | Cost / RTU Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OxiTab – standard | 1 tablet / 1 gal | $1.50 per tablet | 1 | $1.50 |
| Rescue – concentrate | 8 oz / gal | $130 per 1 gal jug | 16 | $8.13 |
| Rescue – RTU | None | $35 per 1 gal jug | 1 | $35.00 |
Annual example (50-dog shelter, 5,000 sq ft, ~20 gallons/day = 7,300 gallons/year): OxiTab = $10,950. Rescue concentrate = $59,349. Rescue RTU = $255,500. OxiTab saves $48,000+ annually compared to Rescue concentrate.
Safety & Exposure Risks
OxiTab: Signal word: Caution. Dries to salt residue safe for animals once dry. PPE required: gloves and eye protection.
Rescue: Signal word: Warning. Breaks down into water and oxygen. PPE: gloves and eye protection recommended. Hydrogen peroxide can irritate skin and eyes with frequent exposure.
Storage & Logistics
OxiTab: One pail of 500 tablets makes 500 gallons of RTU disinfectant, minimizing storage space.
Rescue: One gallon of concentrate makes 16 gallons of RTU disinfectant. Bulk storage and frequent reorders required.
Environmental & Sustainability Angle
OxiTab: Breaks down into salt, safe for animals once dry. Tablet format reduces packaging waste and shipping emissions.
Rescue: Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen. However, liquid packaging and wipes increase plastic waste.
FAQs
Is OxiTab a Rescue disinfectant alternative?
Yes. OxiTab is EPA-registered and covers major animal pathogens including parvovirus, Bordetella, and coronaviruses at a much lower cost per gallon.
Which works better against canine parvovirus?
Rescue kills parvo in 5 minutes at 1:16 dilution. OxiTab kills parvo in 10 minutes at higher ppm. Both are EPA-registered for parvovirus.
Do I need to wipe after using OxiTab or Rescue?
No. Both allow air-dry on non-food-contact surfaces. Feeding and watering equipment must be rinsed with potable water.
Which is safer around animals?
OxiTab dries to salt residue that is safe once dry. Rescue breaks down into water and oxygen but still carries a Warning signal word and requires PPE.
Which is more cost effective?
OxiTab = $1.50 per gallon. Rescue = $8.13 per gallon (concentrate) or $35 per gallon (RTU). OxiTab saves thousands annually for shelters and clinics.
Which has faster kill times?
Rescue often has faster kill times (1–5 minutes). OxiTab ranges from 1–10 minutes depending on the pathogen.
Which is easier to store?
OxiTab is much easier: one small pail equals 500 gallons of disinfectant. Rescue requires multiple gallons of liquid for the same output.
Does OxiTab corrode surfaces?
Studies show NaDCC is far less corrosive to stainless steel than bleach. Rescue is also considered surface-safe.
Final Takeaway
When evaluating a Rescue disinfectant alternative, OxiTab provides the broadest pathogen coverage, including animal and healthcare organisms, at the lowest cost per gallon. Rescue offers fast kill times and convenient RTU wipes, but OxiTab delivers unmatched savings, storage efficiency, and safe residue for animals once dry.
Comments (0)