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If you have a puppy, an elderly dog, or a dog still mastering potty training, you’ve dealt with pee in the house. Depending on what surface they go on, and how long it sits before you find it, that stubborn dog pee smell can really stick around! But it doesn’t have to.
We’ve rounded up all the best tips and product suggestions to get the smell of dog pee out of your house for good. Accidents once in a while are inevitable so this list will be useful to any dog owner as well as any Rover.com dog sitters and offer dog boarding!
Blot up all the liquid
Before you even think about products for removing the smell of dog pee, you have to remove the pee itself. For fresh messes, it’s simply a matter of soaking up all the liquid.
On carpet, cover the area with paper towels or an absorbent cloth and use your hands or feet to gently press. This will help draw out and soak up as much liquid as possible. You may need to use several paper towels, and repeal the process until the area is almost completely dry.
On hardwood or laminated floors, use paper towels, an absorbent cloth, or a mop to soak up the pee. We love these reusable, absorbent microfibre cleaning cloths. Just throw them in the washing machine after use.
Find the dried urine
You can’t get the smell of dog pee out of the carpet if you don’t know where it is! If your house smells like dog urine but you can’t see the source, try using a UV torch.
UV light illuminates any substance containing phosphors (including dog pee), making it easy for you to locate and treat set-in urine stains. Just turn off the overhead lights, turn on your UV torch, and get searching.
Use enzyme cleansers
Enzymes are proteins that help break up urine molecules and dissolve odours. Enzyme cleansers work, but they can take some time. You’ll spray or blot the area with cleaner, then let it sit for a while before blotting it up and scrubbing the spot. You may need to repeat this process.
Here are a few of our favourite enzyme cleaners for dog pee:
Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain and Odour Remover
Nature’s Miracle is one of the most popular pet cleaning products out there. The advanced formula attacks pet stains that have set in, removes pet pheromones, and destroys odours on contact to prevent re-soiling. Best of all, you can use it on any surface.
Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odour Eliminator
Professional strength doesn’t have to mean harsh smells or toxins! This enzyme cleaner is chlorine-free and safe to use around pets and kids.
Use a carpet cleaner (NOT a steam cleaner)
For older pet stains on carpeting or rugs, simple spray cleaners may not suffice. You can rent a carpet cleaner from local DIY chain stores, or hire professional carpet cleaners to come and attack the stains.
If pet accidents are a regular part of your life, invest in a carpet cleaning machine like the Bissell Pet Spot Carpet Cleaner. The sooner you clean up the urine, the easier it will be to get that stubborn smell of dog pee out.
Prevent future accidents
After you’ve successfully removed the dog pee smell from your home, the last thing you want is to have to start all over again. Dogs may return to the scene of the pee crime if they can still smell their own personal scent, so be sure to clean thoroughly. You can also make the area unavailable by placing furniture or a rug over the spot.
It’s also important to consider your dog’s motivations for peeing inside. Sometimes, inappropriate elimination is a sign of a medical issue. It can also indicate anxiety or emotional distress. If your dog is peeing indoors, start with a vet visit to rule out physical causes.
