1. Quick Cover-Ups
The first and most obvious method for covering up dog odor is to use one of the many stop gaps that you can find in just about any store these days. For example, Febreze might not work as a permanent solution but it can temporarily cover up a smell.
2. Baking Soda
When it comes to targeting specific, isolated odors, there is sometimes nothing more effective than baking soda. A natural absorber of odor, you can sprinkle a little baking soda onto dog urine, and wipe or vacuum it up. It will soak up the liquid and neutralize the smell. Be sure to test a small, unseen part of the fabric or carpet first to make sure it will not discolor upon application.
3. Make a Spray
If none of the above work, you can make your own odor-neutralizing fabric spray using baking soda, white vinegar, and water in a spray bottle.
4. Change your Filters
You will need to take other measures to combat broader smells that you cannot target with a topical application or spray. For example, general dog odors can cling to air filters, so you might want to purchase a HEPA air filtration system to prevent this. I change my filters often and have had great success in doing so.
5. Regular Cleaning
A lot of odor elimination starts with simple prevention. For this reason, it is important to regularly wash and clean everything that the dog uses. This not only includes bowls and bedding, but also all toys and so on. Anything that cannot be machine-washed should be washed by hand, and anything that is too far gone should be replaced. Your dog will appreciate the shiny new toys anyway!
6. Regular Vacuuming
Another means of odor prevention is to vacuum regularly. Dog hair and smells can build up in your carpet, and so the best way to prevent that is to make sure that you clean it on a regular basis. As well as vacuuming, it is recommended that you get your carpets deep cleaned at least every two years.
7. Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Don’t be fooled into thinking that pet odor only clings to carpet and other fabrics. If you have hardwood floors, you will also want to clean them regularly—both by sweeping and mopping with a good floor cleaner.
8. Grooming
As well as cleaning your dog’s belongings, you should also wash your dog regularly. If you can afford to do so, professional grooming is a great way to go. For other occasions such as more regular cleaning or if you don’t want to spend money on a professional groomer, you can wash your dog yourself using dog shampoo. I use shampoo from Nature’s Remedies because it is organic and natural. My dog seems to enjoy it more as well. There are cheaper options if you can’t afford to go completely natural and organic.
9. Regular Vet Visits
You should also prioritize regular visits to the veterinarian. Sometimes excessive odor can be a sign of something wrong and that doesn’t just go for gas, but for things like ear infections as well. I went to the vet once for something totally unrelated only to be told that we were feeding our dogs the wrong food and that was causing a lot of the odor issues. We changed foods and had amazing results.
10. Embrace New Scents
Sometimes as a dog owner, a mild dog smell is simply unavoidable. You might have to go shopping and search for some new scents that you like, whether in the form of candles or plugins. These might seem like pointless endeavors, but you will soon find that this smell will be the first that people notice upon entering your house- a much better option than a dog smell.
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