5 Simple Ways to Get Rid of Dog Urine Smell
Dog care has its ups and downs, sometimes it’s fun and exciting, other times it can be tiring and not very pleasant. If your pup is in the process of being toilet trained or is suffering from a medical condition, you’ll likely experience some not very pleasant aspects of dog care. An untrained or poorly pup can have accidents and accidental urination can happen anywhere around the house. If this happens, you’ll need to be prepared to clean up the mess and you should know how to treat the area to clean it properly and to prevent foul odors from lingering. If this happens, it’s important not to become frustrated or scold your dog, after all, accidents happen and unfortunately our pets can’t always control themselves. So, in this article we’ll cover the top 5 ways to get rid of dog pee smell, how to clean up dog pee and why your dog might be urinating around the house.
Why is it Happening?
Understanding why your dog is peeing around the house it always straightforward. Of course, the most common reason is that the dog hasn’t been trained properly or is still learning not to pee in the house. However, physical and mental health conditions can also cause this undesired behavior. If your dog is toilet trained and begins to accidentally urinate around the house, it could indicate that they are suffering from some form of medical condition. In this case, immediately contact the vet and seek their advice. You might have to take your precious pooch for an emergency appointment where your vet will run some tests and ask questions to determine the cause. Check out our guide on indoor dog potty for more info.
How to Clean Dog Pee
Before tackling the smell, you’ll first have to clean your dogs pee from the area and don’t forget to use gloves! You can do this by blotting the area with disposable paper towels to remove as much of the liquid as possible. When blotting it dry, be careful not to rub the area as this may cause the material to absorb the liquid, rather than it being absorbed by the paper towel. This is especially important to remember when cleaning dog pee from carpets, curtains, rugs or other textiles. After blotting dry, soak another paper towel in water and use it to gently apply pressure over the area. After following these steps successfully, the yellow urine color should become less visible or disappear entirely.
Now you know how to clean up dog pee, we can learn the 5 easy methods to get rid of dog urine smell. Just remember to keep your gloves on during this process and to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
How to Get Rid of Dog Urine Smell
Knowing how to remove dog pee smell is an essential skill every puppy parent should know as it’s incredibly useful. If your dog is being toilet trained, experiencing a health condition or simply has a little accident, you’ll be immediately glad to know how to get rid of the smell. So, here are 5 different ways to remove dog pee smell as some might be preferable while others might not be and you should know what neutralizes dog urine smell. Before you start, it’s important to note that some of the cleaning methods use chemicals which can be harmful to animals so ensure your pet is removed from the area during the cleaning process.
Enzymatic Cleaner: This type of cleaning product uses chemical enzymes to clean things and remove unwanted odors. It’s common in many laundry detergents and washing up liquids. Enzymatic cleaners come in many different types so some might work for soft furnishings while others work better on hard surfaces like tiles or wooden floors. They are available from most supermarkets and last a long time if you only need to use a small amount per incident. For a wider selection of choices, check out our pet odor neutralizer guide.
Hydrogen Peroxide: This chemical can be found in some supermarkets, home stores and hardware stores and can be excellent tool for cleaning tough stains and odors. Mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in a spray container with some water then spray on the area after it has been blotted dry. Leave to dry for at least 30 minutes before cleaning the area with clean water and a towel. This cleaning method should be used on light colored floors (either carpeted or tiled) as it can cause discoloration on darker colored floors and textiles. For more options head over to our guide on pet stain removers.
Baking Soda: Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is a common household item which is an extremely effective DIY solution to cleaning stains and removing smells. This is because it is abrasive and has natural anti-fungal properties. After the area has been dried, cover it with a generous layer of baking soda and leave for a few hours or overnight if possible before removing with a vacuum cleaner. Find out more about Dyson pet vacuum and vacuums for pet hair here.
Alternatively, you could mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon of washing up liquid to create a heavy-duty paste which will clean the area effectively. Just be sure to mix the products in a deep container as they can bubble and increase in volume when combined. Apply the paste to the area for a few hours before removing with paper towels and cleaning with clean water.
White Vinegar: Another household product which works as a cleaning solution is white vinegar. Mix equal parts water with white vinegar in a spray bottle before applying generously to the affected area, leaving for 20 minutes before blotting dry with paper towels. You might want to clean the area again with clean water to remove any remaining vinegar. This is a natural odor-neutralizing product and disinfecting cleaner.
Lemon: Lemon juice is an effective antibacterial and antifungal cleaner which has a strong natural smell making it an effective treatment for dog urine accidents. Mix 50mls of water, 100mls of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of baking powder in a spray bottle and apply liberally to the area. Leave to dry for at least 30 minutes before cleaning with paper towels and clean water. If this doesn’t work the after the first application don’t worry, simply repeat the process until the odor is removed and the stain disappears.
Sources:
- How to remove pet stains and odors – The Humane Society of the US
- Uh Oh! My Dog Peed on the Floor! How to Get Rid of the Smell of Dog Urine – AKC
- How to Remove Pet Odor and Stains – Michelson Found Animals
