The Easiest Ways To Get Rid Of That Pet Smell

We love our animals and having them hang out with us inside for as much togetherness as we can get, but there is one thing everyone can do without and that is pet odor. Some pet smells aren’t easy to get rid of, but we can’t get rid of the pet, so let’s explore some ways to remove pet odors without removing our pets!

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

Regular bathing helps keep the odor at bay, at least for our dogs.  Cats can be bathed as well (check out our guide), but do so at your own risk. Thankfully cats clean themselves don’t usually smell…

Regular bathing goes a long way towards keeping your home smelling fresh. One thing to keep in mind is that bathing too frequently can dry out your dog’s skin, so consult your groomer or vet to find out the best routine to balance odor control without stripping the skin of natural, necessary oils. You can set up a standing appointment with a groomer or save a few bucks and bathe your dog at home.

Wash it Away

Another effective action to control odor is to not only bathe Fido regularly, but to bathe his toys, bedding, and teeth as well.  Bacteria from food particles left behind on your dog’s teeth can cause plaque build-up which leads to doggy breath.  Vets recommend brushing your dog’s teeth two or three times a week.  If possible, get your dog used to having his teeth brushed when he is a puppy, but if you adopt an older dog, you can still train him to accept this.  If all else fails, you can have your vet or a special vet dentist do this for you.

Natural Solutions

The trend right now is more towards natural products versus chemical-laden ones.  People are realizing natural is safer and sometimes more effective and cost efficient than commercially prepared products.  There are some great ways to control dog odor with products you probably have in your kitchen right now.

Baking soda makes an excellent dry shampoo for your dog. Sprinkle some in your hands and rub into your dog’s coat down to the skin then give a good brushing. The baking soda will absorb excess oil and dirt and is hypo-allergenic. Baking soda can also be added to the bath water to help neutralize odor. 

Odor Central

Cats normally take care of their own grooming, so most odors associated with cats usually emanate from the litter box. The number one tip for eliminating litter box odor is to change the litter frequently. There are many different types of cat litter, many geared toward easier clean-up. Clumping litter is popular, allowing easy removal of the soiled litter. There are litters with baking soda which is a natural deodorizer. Of course, sprinkling baking soda into any litter will help keep odor down.

Orange Magic

One of the worst odors, pet or otherwise, is cat urine.  It is notoriously hard to remove, and whatever it comes in contact with can literally smell for years. I recently found a tip on Pinterest, and it will remove the worst smells the first time you use it. It is all natural, uses ingredients you probably have on hand, and works like magic. The secret ingredient is orange scent. In addition to an orange-scented product, the formula calls for white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and a spray bottle.  The “original” formula calls for orange scented dish soap or “wild orange essential oil,” but I used some Go-Jo Orange Hand Cleaner that I had on hand, and it worked fine, so I believe you can probably substitute with other orange scented products if you don’t have orange dish soap  I sprayed it once on the bathroom rug where the smell was, and presto, the smell was gone!

Pets are a joy and they enhance our lives in so many ways.  It takes a little effort on our part to make accommodations for our furry friends, but the return on the time invested is well worth the effort.

Photo Credit:  istockphoto.com

How do you remove pet odors?