How to Remove Dog Odor From Your House: 15 Vet-Approved Tips
There is no getting around it: Dogs can get stinky. No one even has to ask if you have a pet; it's evident when they enter your home. But no one wants their house to smell like a kennel. Dogs should be seen but not smelt. If you want to eliminate the doggie odor, you have many options to get the stink under control. It often involves multiple treatments to reach a sweet solution, but by trying a few of these tips, you're sure to have your home smelling fresh and clean again in no time.
Before You Begin
Having the right pet-friendly products on hand will mean that you are prepared to combat any mess that might come your way. Whether it be on the various surfaces in your home or diminishing smells right at the source. An enzyme cleaner works at lifting stains and odors for good while a good shampoo will prevent your dog from developing any unwanted smells from the beginning.
Our Favorite Pet Products
If you're looking for an effective yet gentle set of products, here are a few of our favorites. Hepper aims to eliminate odors at the source and get your pup smelling fresh the first time. Their versatile line is all-natural, lightly scented, and geared towards cats and dogs, perfect for multi-pet homes. Hepper's range will help manage smells on your pet, in your home, and while you're on the go.
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At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool pet company!
Top 15 Tips to Remove Dog Odor From Your Home
1. Rule Out Medical Issues
Please note that while dogs, just like us, will emanate certain body odors, a dog that is too smelly might be suffering from a medical condition. Many issues can cause your pup to stink. Off-putting smells are often a telltale sign of a health problem, including ear infections or skin disorders. For example, the loss of skin microbiome balance due to yeast overgrowth can cause a dog to become quite stinky indeed.
Another common source is periodontal disease. Your dog’s bad breath may make your home smell foul. It’s also a significant health concern for your pup. Therefore, we recommend scheduling a checkup with your vet to rule out medical causes.
2. Give Your Dog a Bath
We recommend starting with the source of the problem: your dog. Maybe your pup found something stinky in the yard, or perhaps it was that evening walk in the rain that now has everyone running for cover when your pup enters a room. Bath time can provide a quick, albeit temporary, fix to the problem. Ask your vet or groomer about the best dog-safe products for your pet.
3. Vacuum Your Home
Accumulating dog hair or fur and dander could make your home unpleasant smelling. Running the vacuum could do the job and eliminate anything else contributing to the issue. Make sure to move the furniture so your dog isn’t taking the rap for someone else’s mess and to get in those hard-to-reach areas. Sprinkling baking soda around your home can help absorb any lingering odors! Just make sure you let it set overnight, then vacuum the excess before allowing your pup access to the area, to prevent them from licking it up.
4. Mop the Floors
Undetected accidents could be an oft-missed culprit. A quick swipe of a mop and a floor cleaner may be all you need to do to remove dog odors. A steam mop can also eliminate the bacteria that's making the odor even worse. Make sure to clean under tables and other furniture, paying particular attention to the places your dog uses frequently.
5. Wash Your Pup's Blankets and Bedding
The odor may not be your dog but their belongings. We recommend washing your pet’s blanket and bedding regularly to keep odors under control. You can use products formulated for these purposes. Think of them like your own bedding, only hairier and stinkier. You should also inspect them for wear and replace them as necessary.
6. Air Out Your Home
You can remove doggie odors simply by airing out your home. Let the sunshine in with open windows to encourage cross ventilation to optimize airflow. A window fan will maximize the effects. We suggest doing it daily, if possible. It's a great way to start your day with some fresh air.
7. Bust Out the Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the best things to use in your cleaning routine. You can use it for many household tasks. After all, odor control is its purpose, whether for the litter box, your fridge, or your dog’s bedding. Add 1 cup to the wash with the items, and you’re good to go. Or sprinkle some all over your carpeting or furniture, let it sit for a while, and then vacuum it up. Please ensure your dog has no access to it, as you don't want them ingesting large amounts of baking soda.
8. Dry Wash Your Carpets
Oil, hair, and dander could build up in your carpets and cause odors. Washing your carpets could be just the thing to make your home smell pleasant again. You can make it a project by vacuuming first, followed by a deep cleaning to cover all your bases. Make sure to keep your dog out of the room until the carpeting is completely dry.
9. Keep Fido Off the Furniture
This tip might be a no-brainer for some pet owners, but if your home has an odor problem, there is more to clean if you let your dog climb on the furniture. This often makes your furniture and pillows more difficult to wash, making the situation even more challenging to handle. An alternative is to put sheets or covers on the places you allow your pup to use, as they are easier to clean by simply throwing them in the wash.
10. Invest in a HEPA Air Filter
A HEPA air filter is an excellent investment to keep your rooms smelling fresh while removing dander for those with allergies. Particulate matter can be a seemingly hidden source of odors that this device can remove. Make sure to check the coverage to ensure you’re getting the most out of your purchase. You should have one for every room in which there is a problem.
11. Wash Your Dog’s Toys
Cloth toys or those made of other absorbent materials can retain bad smells, making your living space unpleasant. It’s also a good time to inspect them for damage. Replace them as needed, and make sure to wash out any toys you fill with peanut butter or other treats. What you may be thinking is doggie odor might actually be spoilage.
12. Clean Up Messes Promptly
Messes are easier to clean thoroughly if you treat them promptly. The longer they sit, the more likely the material will absorb the odors. That makes a simple task that much harder to resolve, so make sure you clean things the moment you notice them.
13. Use a Black Light
Dog odors often become a problem simply because they go undetected. One way to get the jump on potential issues is to run a blacklight around the offending room. Any stains will become fluorescent, making them easy to spot. We suggest scanning the area occasionally to avoid a repeat performance. Also, you should use this tip in conjunction with the next one.
14. Invest in an Enzymatic Cleaner
Enzymatic cleaners provide a permanent solution for lingering odors by binding with the source and eliminating them. If your dog can still smell the odor, they will likely return to the spot and worsen the problem. Thankfully, these powerful products are designed specifically for pet odors and can break this vicious cycle to make your home smell pleasant again.
15. Call in the Big Guns!
If you have tried several of these suggestions and still have a problem, we suggest calling in the big guns: a professional cleaner. They have the experience and products to deal with stubborn issues.
You can eliminate most doggie odors with these tips. However, some cases may require a different approach to make your home odor-free again.
In Conclusion
Pet ownership is sometimes challenging. You must invest time and effort in training your pet, but sharing your home with a dog can present other issues, such as unpleasant odors. Fortunately, several options exist for managing this vexing problem. You may find using more than one of these tips helpful for a long-term solution. The goal is an odor-free home that doesn’t make your pup’s presence disturbing, so do as many as it takes until the problem is resolved.
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Sources
Featured Image Credit: Prostock-studio, Shutterstock
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Since 2009, Chris has written on a variety of topics. Her motto with all of her writing is “science-based writing nurtured by education and critical thinking.” She specializes in scientific topics, with a special love for health and environmental topics, and of course, pets of all shapes and sizes.
Chris lives happily with her husband and three cats in the land of 10,000 lakes, writing, wining, and boating as much as she can. She and her husband, Norm, were awarded the State of Kentucky Colonel Honor for their restoration work at Mammoth Cave National Park.
help me-my dogs smell
Hello Karla, thank you for your message. unfortunately, there are several reasons why your dogs may smell, so we would recommend you to book an appointment with one of the veterinarians at PangoVet.com. In a 20-minute video call the veterinarian will help you figure out the cause of the bad smell and what you can do to help it. Just head to www.PangoVet.com and book an appointment at your convenience. Hope this helps.