How to remove dog smell from an apartment - 33 ways to get rid of dog smell

We identify the cause of the dog smell in the apartment - why does it smell like a dog?

First of all, you should find out where the smell actually comes from?

The smell can appear both from the pet itself and from its bed . And also from furniture, carpets and other corners where you can sleep, bury a chicken leg or lift your paw. The same applies to cat smells in the apartment.

Well, of course, it is equally important to find the cause of this smell.

You will be surprised, but the most common reason is the laziness of the owners.

What not to do

How to get rid of the smell of dog urine in an apartment

The most important thing is that you should not be angry with your pet, scold it, or use physical violence. This can only make things worse for the dog. You can’t ignore the smell of a dog, try to pretend that nothing is happening and think that it will all go away on its own.

You cannot drive a puppy out into the street, throw it out of the house, get rid of it, etc. A person is always responsible for those he has tamed. Dogs are very intelligent creatures, they themselves suffer from stench, no matter what causes it. They especially suffer when something hurts them, and the owner does not pay attention. Under no circumstances should you be indifferent to a strong dog smell; as soon as it appears, you need to take action.

Dalmatian

So, the reasons for the “dog” smell in your home...

"The odor of the rock." Yes, that happens. Not all dogs, alas, smell of flowers and vanilla shampoos. Actually, such dogs simply do not exist. If only immediately after a shower and only for a few hours. In general, dogs can be highly odorous and practically odorless. For example, spaniels and shepherd dogs are the most “smelly” of all breeds, but in Chinese crested dogs the smell appears only if the dog has not been washed for 1-2 months.
Hygiene reasons. You will be surprised again, but the dog should be washed. Optimally - once a month, if your affectionate and gentle animal is indoor. Less often if the animal lives on the street. Natural fats accumulated in wool over time emit a very unpleasant odor. And yeast fungi living on the skin and multiplying aggravate this problem. Train your pet to bathe from infancy, and the odor problem will be solved by 50%.
Incorrectly chosen bathing products. Not everyone knows, so owners should take note: human shampoos are not suitable for pets! The acidity of these products is not for the fur and skin of four-legged animals. Choose a shampoo specifically for your pet. Don't skimp on shampoo! Cheap products do not remove odor well, dry out the skin too much and damage the coat. In addition to the shampoo, buy a special product that will restore the structure of your friend’s coat and eliminate the unpleasant odor. The choice of such funds today is quite wide. Remember that a powerful alkaline bathing product (and even without balm) disrupts the production of sebum and, as a result, a strong odor.
Blockage of the anal glands. If you notice that your pet is intensively licking the area around the anus, rolling on its butt, trying to bite itself on it, or itching for no reason, it’s time to clean the glands. Otherwise, inflammation may begin. The smell always appears with this phenomenon, and, of course, not the most pleasant one.
Excessive wax in the ears or otitis media. If your dog is not accustomed to cleaning its ears, the smell from them will haunt you constantly. But it’s even worse if otitis media begins - this smell is very specific, it is difficult to confuse it with the usual “sulfur”. If you have any doubts, it is better to consult a veterinarian.
Smell from the mouth. Again, the dog should be trained to brush its teeth. In addition, special toys, food and treats can be used to remove plaque. But only a specialist can remove tartar.
Seborrhea. It is characteristic of specific breeds and produces a rather intense odor at the end. Seborrhea is observed, as a rule, in all hunting breeds. The reason is simple - intensive work of the sweat and sebaceous glands, as well as increased production of sebum (approx. - 30% stronger than in other breeds), as protection from getting wet.
Improper digestion. Feed your dog correctly! Allergies and disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract begin from disorderly and illiterate feeding, unsuitable feed, human products and “biting”. And, accordingly, skin problems. Everything here is like with people: if you eat all sorts of “nonsense”, then pimples on your face, excess weight and severe sweating will haunt you endlessly. Odor often appears from dogs that are fed fish or “fish” food.
Seasonal reasons. The dog smell always gets stronger in the summer. Firstly, the pet is hot. You can wear shorts and a T-shirt, but the dog has nowhere to undress. In addition, in the summer, dogs often plunge into all the rivers, small ponds and even puddles located near the house to cool off. And wool always smells sharply sour when wet. And various microorganisms multiply more actively in wet wool, which also does not add aroma.
Physiological reasons. For example, hormonal surge, obesity, metabolic disorders and other human “sores”. However, it is worth noting that males are initially more odorous than females. The exception is the period of estrus. Therefore, if a bitch’s odor appears outside of her period of heat, consult a doctor (this is a symptom of serious problems in the “female line”).
Diseases. If you bathe your pet regularly with medicated shampoo, dry it properly, feed it, walk it, and it still smells, consult a doctor. A strong unpleasant odor can be a symptom of infection, liver or gastrointestinal diseases, ears, allergies, abscesses and even oncology. Remember that a sweet or “antifreeze” smell from your pet’s mouth is a reason to urgently go to the veterinarian.

When is it necessary to take your pet to the veterinarian?

Hygienic procedures will only help if the appearance of dog odor is not a consequence of pathological provoking factors. Knowing how to remove dog odor from a dog, you need to act immediately and the measures taken should be regular, especially if the breed has a predisposition to emit unpleasant animal odors.
But if adjusting the diet, ensuring proper hygienic care and thoroughly cleaning the premises does not give a positive result and does not help remove the unpleasant odor from the premises, the pet must be shown to a veterinarian.

Often, the stench of a dog from a dog is a symptom of a number of diseases. The exact cause can only be determined by undergoing detailed diagnostics.

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Wash your dog with special “dog” products every 10-30 days, depending on the breed. Wash thoroughly with shampoo and be sure to use conditioner.
Dry your dog after washing or swimming in water with a hairdryer or a special microfiber towel that absorbs water as much as possible.
Clean your pet's ears and teeth regularly. Preferably using a special paste.
Wipe the pet's fur with a solution of vinegar (approx. - 1 tbsp per 1 liter of water). The skin of hairless dogs can be wiped with chlorhexidine (at the same time, treat any inflammation on the skin).
Brush your dog regularly , remove the undercoat, which accumulates moisture and spreads an unpleasant odor.
After a walk, be sure to wash your paws, face, belly and area near the tail.
Trim the area under the tail so that feces particles do not stick to the fur in this area. Don't forget that even the smartest pet doesn't know how to use toilet paper.
Feed your dog correctly , taking into account the balance of all nutrients. Remember that not getting certain substances from food leads to metabolic disorders and, as a result, disruption of the sweat glands. Change your dog's diet completely - to a correct and balanced one, give up allergic foods, and perhaps this step alone will significantly reduce the size of the odor problem. Do not feed your pet raw meat/fish - cook without salt and steam it. This will protect your dog from helminths and subsequent problems with them, including odor.
Have your dog examined by a veterinarian in a timely manner and get tested. Remember: a healthy dog smells, but does not stink. The unbearable smell of “dog” is the body’s signal of ill health.
Be a caring owner. That is, treat the dog carefully, paying attention to its mood changes. The smell can also be a protective reaction to stress or fear, during which the sebaceous glands begin to actively produce an unpleasant “smell.” Eliminate the causes of stress and fear. Do not scold your pet, and especially do not use force.
Use additional products when bathing your pet. For example, Doctor shampoo (by the way, it perfectly treats skin inflammation).
You can also pay attention to dog “deodorants”: OdorGone, Smart spray, Faithful friend, “Essential 6 spot on dermoscent” drops.
Wash clothes and pet mattress/bedding covers more often. At least once a week! And also wash his toys and put away his “stash” in the corners.
Walk the dog more often and longer so that it relieves its natural needs not on the carpet in the apartment, but under a bush on the street.

When to contact a veterinarian

There are special cases when self-medication does not produce results, or the situation becomes complicated. Then you need to immediately contact your veterinarian:

If the dog begins to smell rotten.
When pus begins to ooze from under the fur (from the gums).
A rotten “aroma” is also a signal to see a doctor.

The problem of an unpleasant odor sometimes requires urgent hospitalization of the dog.
If the dog smells of rotten meat and refuses to eat and is inactive, then hospitalization is needed immediately.

How to remove dog smell from carpet and furniture - 10 effective ways and means

It is worth noting that the smell appears on carpets and furniture in 2 cases:

A dog lifts its paw more often in an apartment than outside.
The dog is rarely washed, and the smell from it “eats” into the furniture and carpets.

Before removing odors from your apartment, follow the steps described above. Otherwise, any cleaning will be pointless.

Remove puddles as soon as they appear. The smells of urine ingrained into the upholstery or carpet only become stronger over time. Do not smear the puddle - absorb it as much as possible with paper towels, and then treat it with special products and after half an hour, remove the remaining product with a vacuum cleaner.
Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the carpet (furniture area) and remove with a vacuum cleaner after 4-5 hours.
For non-fabric surfaces, you can use a mixture of baking soda (2 tbsp), peroxide (20 ml) and regular dishwashing detergent (1 tbsp). This mixture should be applied to the “smelly” area, rubbed in and washed off after a couple of hours.
Rinse the stain with a solution (approx. - weak and without grains!) of potassium permanganate. It helps neutralize ammonia.
Use household products to remove odors. For example, whiteness, Domestos or Vanish, as well as Mr. Muscle and Mr. Proper. You can add a couple of drops of citrus essential oil to products containing chlorine.
Dilute vinegar 1 to 1 , treat the desired area, and repeat after drying.
Dilute 15 drops of iodine per 1 liter of water , treat the wooden surface, and wipe with a dry cloth.
You can also use rubbing alcohol . We spray it from a spray bottle onto the desired area, rub it in, and absorb it with napkins until the alcohol is completely eliminated.
For fabric surfaces, you can use household soap . We grate it, mix it with water until it becomes a paste, apply it to the odorous area and wash it off after 10 minutes.
Lemon juice or fresh lemon peels. We simply wipe the furniture with juice or crust, and after 15 minutes with a regular damp cloth.

How to clean a carpet at home - recipes and tips for housewives

How to properly clean wood floors from dog urine

While the most unpleasant formations can be removed from the carpet quite quickly, the pungent dog “aroma” from a wooden floor is a dangerous problem. The appearance of dampness (if the dog peed in the same place several times) can lead to damage to the varnish and swelling of the laminate or parquet. Initially, dog urine is removed using a napkin or towel. You need to blot the puddle, wash the floor with clean water, and wipe dry. Next you can do the following:

rub the laminate with lemon peel;
make a paste of soda and water (change when dry);
neutralize the stench by washing the flooring with a floor cleaner that smells of lavender and mint.

The use of ordinary bleach or powder is unacceptable: they will not help remove dog urine from the floor and will damage the coating (suitable only for light-colored linoleum). To prevent your dog from peeing on the floor again and the room smelling like urine, you can try a weaning spray. True, it rarely helps. If the dog begins to go to the toilet in the room due to old age, you will have to lay oilcloths or a medical diaper on the floor. Difficulties are also possible when an adult dog marks the territory due to the appearance of a cat.

You can also use the following tools:

Apples. The recipe is simple: cut an apple in half and place it on the area where there is an unpleasant odor. The absorption of odors by fruit lasts up to 6 hours.
Sprinkle cornstarch on the floor and vacuum after 3-4 hours. It absorbs odors as effectively as baking soda.
Add 4-5 drops of essential oil to a spray bottle with warm water (aroma according to your “taste”), spray in the room - on curtains, carpets and floors. The advantages of the product are a pleasant aroma, as well as an antiseptic and antifungal effect.
Use furniture covers. They are easier to wash than sofa upholstery.
Use special products from veterinarians/pharmacies that remove organic odors. These products do not mask, but completely remove microorganisms that are sources of odors. For example, Vaportek and Le Artic, BIO-J and Zoosan, Bio-GM, UF2000, Ultrasan, Nature's Miracle Pet Stain & Odor Remover or ORANGE-OXY. These products are safe for both your pets and household members.

We will be very pleased if you share your experience or the results of recipes for removing dog odors in the apartment!

How to clean the house

When keeping a dog in an apartment, a characteristic unpleasant odor often arises. This can be avoided by using our tips:

When wet cleaning, add special products to a bucket of water that can kill microorganisms that cause odor.
While the puppy is small, we recommend removing carpets and rugs from the floor.
Periodically wipe the floor surface with a vinegar solution.
Apply a small amount of baking soda or starch to the floor. These products absorb odor well; after a few hours the floor should be vacuumed.
Using furniture covers will help preserve it.
Change your pet's bedding more often.

If you follow these simple rules, the sharp and unpleasant smell will not bother you.