Removing dog urine odor can be a headache for many people. Whether it's a potty-trained puppy, an untrained adult dog, or one with medical issues, cleaning up your dog's pee and keeping him from using any area of the house as a private toilet can be tricky if you use the wrong techniques.
Thinking about this, on our site, we offer below different methods to eliminate the smell of dog urine from different areas of the home, as well as tricks, repellents and tips to eradicate this habit permanently. Keep reading!
Methods to eliminate dog urine odor
Urinating inside the house can happen to any dog, even those that have been properly trained, either because you haven't taken him for a walk when he needed to or because he has an illness. On the other hand, these accidents are common in puppies, since they are in the learning stage. In any of the cases, scolding or punishing your dog is NOT recommended, as he will be unable to understand that a natural action such as urinating entails a punishment. In addition, if it is not corrected immediately, the animal will not understand why you are so angry, so it will feel frustrated and scared.
How to get rid of the dog's pee smell can be a bigger problem than teaching him where to relieve himself. Why? On many occasions, using the inappropriate products causes the olfactory footprint, that is, the smell of urine, I continued in the place even if you don't notice it (remember that the dog's sense of smell is more acute than the human's). In addition, some products contain components that, instead of serving as an odor neutralizer for dogs, encourage them to continue using that place as a toilet.
Do you want to know how to remove dog smell from your house? Here are the most effective methods.
1. First of all, dry your dog's urine
Before applying any of the remedies to eliminate the smell of dog urine, it is necessary to dry it. It is best to attack the problem when you have just peed, in this way cleaning is more efficient.
Use disposable absorbent paper towels to remove as much urine as possible; remember to wear gloves. Do not rub the urine to dry it, as it will only impregnate it more on the surface, especially if it is a textile, such as carpets, rugs or curtains.
Once the urine has been removed, pass another absorbent paper towel soaked in water in order to eliminate as much as possible. You will notice that you have removed as much pee as possible because the yellow color disappears or decreases considerably.
After completing these steps, it is time to apply the methods explained below to eliminate the smell of dog urine. In case of dry pee stains, apply the remedies we offer you directly.
two. Hydrogen peroxide to remove dog urine odor from floors
Hydrogen peroxide, popularly known as hydrogen peroxide, is a chemical compound with powerful properties oxidants. There are two effective ways to use it:
Hydrogen peroxide and water
Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with plain water in a spray container. Once you have dried the urine (if it is recent), impregnate the area with the mixture and Leave it to act for 30 minutes After this time, remove with an absorbent towel and rinse with water.
This method is effective on light-colored rugs, although it is not recommended for dark textiles, as the hydrogen peroxide can discolor them (we suggest you do a test on a non-visible area). Similarly, if you want to know how to remove dog urine smell from the floor, this is a good method for ceramic floors.
Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda
You need to mix 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, 2 of baking soda and 1 of liquid dishwashing detergent. Use a deep bowl, as the components have a bubbling reaction when stirred. This method is great as dog urine detergent
By mixing, it should be a thick and uniform paste. This method is ideal for dried urine or old stains, you just have to spread a thick amount of the mixture on the problem area, leave it to act for an hour, remove with absorbent paper and rinse with water.
3. White vinegar, a natural odor neutralizer
White vinegar is a household ingredient frequently used as a natural cleaner, as it has disinfectant properties and a pungent odour. You can use it to clean fresh or old urine stains on floors or carpets, just avoid rubbing the latter so that the pee does not penetrate further into the textile fibers.
Applying vinegar as a odor neutralizer is very simple: just mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part hot water in a container with sprayer. Subsequently, apply on the urinated area and leave it to act for 20 minutes. Then, remove with absorbent paper and dry completely.
The power of vinegar against odors is such that it is even used to control the body odor of dogs, mixing it with their shampoo when bathing them. Likewise, it is also an excellent home remedy against ticks. For more information, don't miss this article: "Benefits of vinegar for dogs".
4. Baking soda to clean up dog pee
Sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline compound that is used for different purposes, among which its applications in the home stand out thanks to its antifungal and abrasive effect it has. For this reason, it is a good method to eliminate the smell of dog pee. You can use it in two ways:
Baking soda only
After removing urine, sprinkle baking soda on the area and leave it on overnight. In the morning, remove it with a vacuum cleaner. Baking soda can be toxic to dogs if ingested in large amounts, so only use this method if your furry friend doesn't have access to the treated area.
Baking soda and vinegar
This remedy is for recent or old stains. Mix 150 milliliters of vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Then, apply the solution on the problem area and leave it on for half an hour. After this time, remove and rinse with water.
On areas such as wood or carpet, test in an inconspicuous area to check for discoloration.
5. Lemon, the best remedy to eliminate the smell of urine
Lemon, that favorite ingredient in the kitchen, can be very useful when it comes to eliminating the smell of dog urine. In addition, it is a natural method without the risk of side effects. Not only does its aroma suppress the unpleasant stench of urine, but it also has antifungal and antibacterial properties
The best way to apply it is by mixing 100 milliliters of lemon juice, 50 milliliters of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Fill a spray bottle with the mixture and spray on the previously dry area. Leave it on for half an hour and then remove it with water. If necessary, repeat the process.
In addition to eliminating odour, lemon works as a repellent for dog urine,as the citrus aromas deter dogs from approach places. If you want to know other smells that dogs hate, check out this article.
6. Enzymatic Cleaners
Enzymatic cleaners are ecological products made from enzymes Among their functions is to eliminate unpleasant odours, since these enzymes they dissolve the molecules that produce these odours. Thanks to this, they are a good option when it comes to eliminating dog urine.
Brands of enzymatic cleaners vary from country to country, but are easily found in supermarkets and home cleaning stores. We recommend you go to the nearest establishment to acquire one and follow the instructions indicated on the container for its application.
How to remove the smell of dog urine outdoors?
The bad odors related to dog urine not only affect your house or apartment, they can also manifest themselves outside, either in the garden or patio. In addition, there are cases in which other dogs decide to use the entrance of your garden as a bathroom, so you need to apply measures to erase that olfactory mark and stop doing it.
These are the methods that can be used to eliminate dog urine odor outdoors:
Garden tile cleaning
Garden slabs, whether they are marble, granite or other material, can be affected by bad odors from dog pee. To remove it, use:
- Chemical bleach. It is acquired in places where cleaning products are sold. Mix in equal parts with water and rub on the affected area. Then remove with water until the product is completely removed, as it is toxic to animals.
- Lemon and water. A mixture of equal parts lemon and water works as a urine odor neutralizer, as well as a dog repellant.
Lawn cleaning
When it comes to organic material like lawn grass, removing bad odors requires different methods. In this case, it is best to buy garden lime at outdoor decoration stores or nurseries.
Once you have the product at home, sprinkle the lime over the area with a bad odor and then water with plenty of water so that the soil absorbs it.
Repellents for dogs that urinate in the house
In addition to eliminating the smell of dog urine in the affected places, you can choose to use products that serve as repellents for dogs. This way, spraying the problem area will deter your furry friend from peeing there. This is a good option when trying to teach your pet which places she should use to relieve herself
We recommend the following combinations such as dog urine repellent:
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is highly appreciated in gastronomy, especially for its spicy and somewhat smoky flavor. In dogs, however, it produces an irritating effect on the mucous membranes, so they move away from this smell.
Using it as a repellent is very simple, just sprinkle the pepper on the place where your furry friend usually urinates and it will immediately stop doing so. In addition, this method serves as an odor neutralizer, you can use it to reinforce the effect of some of the other applied remedies.
Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is commonly used to disinfect wounds, as it has antibacterial properties accompanied by an intense penetrating odor, which is bothersome for dogs.
Mix 1 part of this alcohol with 2 parts of water and spray the area you want to rid of dog pee. This method works for interiors and exteriors, but you should never apply it to plants. Also, make sure your dog doesn't ingest it by accident.
Lemon and vinegar
Lemon and vinegar together combine their antifungal and disinfectant properties, as well as helping to create a strong layer of odor that repels dogs. Mix 1 cup of lemon juice and 1 cup of vinegar and spray the area affected by dog urine with the solution. Repeat as many times as necessary while teaching your dog where to relieve himself
Final recommendations
When it comes to eliminating the smell of dog urine, it is important to determine the cause for which your furry companion has begun to pee in inappropriate places and undertake the solution. In case it is a puppy, you should start educating it. If, on the other hand, it is an adult dog that shows this behavior suddenly, pay attention to possible signs of stress, depression, the need to change the routine, among others. In both cases, remember to go to your vet to rule out the presence of any disease that is causing incontinence. In the process of educating the dog, positive reinforcement is the most appropriate option and with the best results.
In the same way, it is forbidden the use of products that contain ammonia, chlorine or bleach, since its smell encourages dogs and cats to urinate in the area that has been cleaned. In fact, this is one of the main mistakes when it comes to eradicating the behavior of urinating inside the house.
Although all the remedies explained in the article are excellent odor neutralizers and some even help prevent the dog from urinating there again, it is essential to bear in mind that they are not the solution. The real solution is to educate the dog so that it learns to relieve itself on the street, which will also allow it to enjoy walks, exercise, activities and interact with other dogs. Socialization is equally important for the animal, as is physical exercise every day. In both puppies and adults, to be responsible owners we must assume these tasks and guarantee the animals that all their needs are met.
