If you have a dog, you know that there is something indescribable about having one. There is no greater gift in the world, then the presence of a dog. Dogs are always happy to see you - morning, evening and night.

To quote Josh Billings, "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself."

When it comes to dog odours in your home, and how to eliminate them, prevention is key. Be sure to check out our blog, “Tips to Prevent Pet Odour in Your Home” so that your home doesn’t get to the point where you have foul smells that you need to get rid.

If your home smells like dog, even if you keep your pet well groomed and clean, and you clean your house regularly, don’t fret, it’s not your fault. And it’s not (really) your dog’s fault either (unless they are prone to having accidents in the house as they are young or more senior and can’t help themselves).

Why Dogs Smell

According to Family Handyman, and Dr. Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian. “Oils in the skin, known as sebum, can emit an odor. Some dogs make excessive amounts of sebum and it gets onto everything in your house.”

"Bonk says these oils and other things, like dog dandruff, are often difficult to remove from certain fabrics and carpets. “Bacteria and yeast that are normally present on your dog’s skin and in their ears can cause odor,” she says. “Dogs also have an innate desire to mark everything with their scent. Some dogs will urinate on anything to claim it as their own.”

Dogs also inadvertently spread their saliva on the floor, toys, their bed and wherever they hang out in your home.

Plus dogs sweat through their feet, so when it’s hot, they can inadvertently spread sweat throughout your home including floors, beds, your car and more.

When cleaning your home, be sure “to choose pet-friendly cleaning products that are free from ammonia, bleach, formaldehyde, phthalates, glycol ethers, and perchloroethylene.” (Source: Freshpet)

Vinegar and baking soda are good deodorizers which are effective at neutralizing new and lingering smells.

Tips on how to get rid of dog odours in your home:

1. Vacuum regularly to remove pet hair, dander and dust – carpets, furniture, rugs, floors, curtains, beneath furniture, furniture legs, stairs, corners, beneath your bed. And don’t forget to change your vacuum filter regularly as well.
2. Wash floors with a vinegar solution.
3. Steam clean carpet
4. Wash bedding, pillowcases, blankets and other linens that your pet comes in contact with regularly. Wash chair and couch coverings that are removable and washable once a week to twice a month. If it’s washable, wash it.
5. Vacuum furniture and if they don’t have a removable slip cover, neutralize smelly furniture with baking soda. According to Home Made Simple, baking soda is the perfect deodorizer as it is odorless but absorbs other odors. Sprinkle baking soda on furniture, let it sit overnight and vacuum the next day.
6. Clean surfaces that are at pet level (cupboards, doors, etc) and higher (ceiling fans).
7. Neutralize anything that is smelly with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. You can spray this on fabrics such as carpets, curtains, your dog’s bed and more.
8. Don’t use just plain water on tough odours. This will not work and may make odours worse as the water activates dog odours that come from the skin and oils.
9. Wash your dog’s bed. If it isn’t washable then invest in a new one and treat it with a pet-friendly stain repellant to help prevent future odours.
10. Air out your home regularly.
11. Change furnace filters regularly to maximize circulation and airflow.
12. Invest in an air fliter to filter out odours and pet dander.
13. “Bust out the blacklight. Go full Scooby-Doo on the situation and use a blacklight to identify isolated problem areas. Former urine stains will often glow yellow or green. Use a neutralizing agent directly on those spots (vinegar, baking soda, etc.). If a baseboard or lower wall urine stain is really persistent, you can try painting over it with odor sealing paint.” (Source: Home Made Simple)
14. If you have a super sensitive nose, consider purchasing a plug-in air freshener, plug-in odor elimininator (contains a carbon filter that traps and neutralizes odour), scented oil diffusers, scented candles or charcoal air-purifying bags (charcoal purifies air, drawing in odours, bacteria and moisture).
15. Use a deodorizing spray on your dog’s coat between baths to keep them smelling fresh.

And if your home still has some pet odour, try our Pet Odour Eliminator. Learn more here.

Sources:

BuzzFeed, 25 Tips Pet Owners Swear By For Masking Odors

Freshpet, How to Keep Your House from Smelling Like a Dog

Home Made Simple, 14 Ways To Get Rid Of The Dog Smell In Your House Once And For All

This Old House, How to Get Rid of Pet Odors in Your Home