How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Smell

Dog urine is more concentrated, which causes it to have a strong odor. If your dog has an accident, getting it cleaned up immediately is the best way to avoid a lingering smell, but sometimes, a mess goes unnoticed. When figuring out how to get rid of pee smell that lingers in your home, there are many different things to consider. The way you'll clean up and remove the smell of dog pee depends on the surface, when the accident happened, and whether the stain is wet or dry.

Are you wondering what gets rid of dog pee smell on surfaces in your home? There are many household items that can help you in the process of getting rid of dog pee smell around your home. Vinegar is a great, natural neutralizer and so is baking soda. Both of these household items are environmentally friendly and economical. For stubborn dog urine odor, a store-bought enzyme treatment can help.

Fresh urine stains on carpet are more straightforward. You will need to soak up as much as possible with a pile of heavy newspapers or a thick towel to get rid of dog pee smell that is fresh on your carpeting. Apply the cleaner of your choice to the affected area. Dry pee smell removal, however, can get a bit more complicated. First, you'll need to locate the pee stain if you don't already know the specific spot. Then, you'll need to do some experimenting to find out whether it is a minor or deep stain.

Sprinkling some baking soda on the carpet and then spraying one part vinegar and one part warm water over it can work to extract a slight smell from flooring's fibers. After it completely dries, finish the process by vacuuming the leftover baking soda. If the smell is still strong after this, re-wet the area by pouring on a water and vinegar solution. Let it sit for a few minutes and then scrub out the smell. Avoid using a carpet steamer on set urine stains, as it can meld the smell to the fibers, making it almost impossible to remove.

For vinyl or laminate wood flooring, you will want to absorb any wet urine or use an enzyme cleanser to lift any dried pee. Moistening beforehand with water may help loosen the stain. Since this material is not porous, it typically will not soak in. Once the actual stain is removed, spray a mix of apple cider or white vinegar and water and let it sit on the spot until dry. Cleaning up the mess and deodorizing should remove any stains and smell.

A real hardwood floor, on the other hand, is more absorbent, so getting a dog pee smell out of it will be more challenging if not impossible. Test a highly diluted mixture of vinegar and water on a small part of your floor so as not to stain the wood using about 1/2 cup vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water. If you use a store-bought enzyme cleaner, make sure it is safe and intended for natural wood flooring before using.

The best way to get rid of dog urine smell in the future is through prevention. Pee accidents are very common with a younger dog. When you first bring your puppy home, he will still be learning a lot. You will need to help him figure out where to go to the bathroom. Gentle reinforcement can help guide him to the proper spot. Avoid yelling at your pup during or after the accident. If he has an accident, clean it up well to remove the smell. If the urine smell is not cleaned, he may pee in the same spot again.

In the training phase, take him outside or to a potty spot every hour to teach him where to go. Every time he urinates or defecates in the correct location, whether that is outside or in a designated area, like a pee pad, reward him with a special treat right as you see him doing it. Some dogs can be trained to ring a bell near the door to let you know when they need to go outside, but others may be more subtle about it, from barking to coming up to you and staring. So, you'll need to pay close attention as your puppy learns the proper spot to pee.

While soiling accidents are expected from potty training puppies, an older dog peeing indoors may raise some alarms. A house-trained dog who pees inside may be anxious, lacking needed attention, or suffering from an illness. Dogs need to be let outside frequently for bathroom breaks.

An occasional accident happens, but if your dog is regularly urinating outside of designated places and soiling around the house, take a look at the situation. Make sure you are playing with your dog and giving her lots of exercise. Assure that she has space to relax and that her food and water are filled on a daily basis. Your dog may be trying to get your attention through this seemingly rebellious behavior.

Also pay attention to your dog's physical behavior. Is your pet more tired than usual? Is she uninterested in eating or playing a game she usually enjoys? In addition to inappropriate urination around the house, if your dog seems out of sorts, a visit to the veterinarian can help rule out illness or injury that may be impacting her ability to go to the bathroom in the proper spot.