Dog Smell: 8 Great Tips To Get Rid Of Dog Odors And Keep Your Home Always Smelling Fresh And Clean

Unfortunately, this is a problem for most dog owners. We love our adorable pets, but we don’t love the mess they can bring into our homes. What was at the top of the list when asked what was the hardest thing for them to own a dog?…pet hair and smell.

What should a dog owner do?

1. Use a good quality cleaner: Use a cleaner that is an enzyme-based dog odor neutralizer that will kill urine odor. (be sure to follow directions very carefully) Use enough product to penetrate deep into the stain. If your dog urinates on the carpet, it gets into the padding, so you need to soak it up. If you don’t remove the scent, your dog may think that he can keep coming back to the same place because he will smell it. If you are still potty training a puppy, it will make his potty training much more difficult than it is.

2. Start with the obvious points: Keep the areas where Fido sleeps, eats and plays clean, because this is where the smell will be most dominant. Cleaning these areas at least twice a week can eliminate the odor. Wash your food and water bowls in your dishwasher as often as possible, and clean the areas UNDER your eating area as well. Sometimes food accumulates under the bowls.

3. Keep your floors clean: This means you should vacuum your rugs at least twice a week or, in very severe cases, three times a week. For regular floors, Swiffer actually makes a “Sweeper Vac” that’s great for wood, tile, or vinyl. The fabric is textured to trap dog hair, plus you can reach hair that gets caught under your appliances.

4. If Fido Isn’t Trained, Clean Up The Clutter Right Away: It will be much easier for you if you clean up your dog’s mess right away. They are easier to clean when fresh. Use a paper towel that DOES soak up as much dirt as possible, THEN wipe with a cleaning solution.

5. NEVER use ammonia: You may not know this, but if you use ammonia to clean your dog’s odors, he may return to that spot and relieve himself. To a dog, ammonia smells like urine! Plus, your dog will wonder why you’re mad at him for peeing on your rug!

6. Remove dog hair from your furniture: You MUST remove dog hair from your furniture because it smells all over your house! These days, most vacuum cleaners come with a pet hair attachment. If you don’t have one, you can use sheets of tape, which can work wonderfully, or even a damp cloth that doesn’t promote lint on your furniture. (old t-shirts work great)

7. Buy washable fabrics: Make sure all bedding, pet clothing, and even your dog’s toys are machine washable. I wash my dog’s toys at least twice a week. They can smell horrible! Also, when you wash your bedding, be sure to include everything AROUND your sleeping area as well. (floor, matte, etc.)

8. Keep your dog clean: This is probably one of the most important tips. Begin the cleaning process where the odor begins. Dog odors always start with a dirty dog. Make grooming a routine in your home. If you don’t like bathing your dog, take him to the groomer 2 or 3 times a month. You can clean your house every day, but if your dog is dirty and smelly, you’re running in circles. There is no greater feeling than a “freshly bathed” puppy giving you his puppy kisses.