_Do visitors know you have a pet dog—before Rover comes romping into the room? Are they aware of your kitty Fluffy even while she is hiding under the sofa?
With the possible exception of your pet fish (as long as they stay healthy), all pets come with a variety of odors. Some however, can be far more noticeable than others. These animals cause very distinct odors to fill your home if you are not careful about cleaning them.
Older people greatly benefit from pets—but often do not detect pet odors. People with migraines, Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's have similar issues with not being aware of the odors of their pets. All pet owners, however, are more tolerant of the odors of their own pets than they are of the odors of pets belonging to other people.
Areas of Your Home that Absorb Pet Odor:- Carpets
- Drapes and Curtains
- Furniture
Preventing Pet Odors:- Clean all feeding areas for pets on a daily basis. Recirculating water bowls are best for cats.
- Identify areas of concentrated odor on your carpet. If you do not know where they are, use black light to find them and then clean thoroughly.
- Sprinkle a live-enzyme pet odor removal powder over areas of pet accidents until you have time to do deep cleaning. Most products also include live bacteria that can digest the proteins that cause odors and make them easier to remove from the carpet. Borax powder and baking soda also remove odor, but not as effectively as the bacteria-enzyme based powders.
- Deep clean stained areas of carpet with a carpet shampooer you fill with cool water only—no cleansers or detergents. This will help you avoid creating even worse odors that combine the odor of pet waste with the fragrances in the carpet shampoo. Never use a steam cleaner to clean up after a pet accident, since the heat will cause the odor to set in the carpet.
- Don't use cleaning chemicals, especially ammonia or vinegar. Your pet may be confused them with the odor of urine and return to urinate in the same place.
- Clean the carpet after you use an odor-neutralizing product. If you don't, the second application of the odor-neutralizing product will work on the first product, not the new urine or feces.
- Clean litter boxes and other toilet areas daily.
- Vacuum and sweep areas where the animals spend time regularly.
- Do not allow animals on the furniture.
- Clean and bathe animals on a regular basis. Get your pet accustomed to bathing as soon as possible after they become a part of your home.
- Realize that frequently soiled areas of carpet may need a new carpet pad.
- If accidents continually occur in the same areas, consider the root of the problem. Does your dog have access to the outdoors often enough? Is there a problem with the placement of your cat's litter box? Cats, in particular, tend to relieve themselves in the same place—even if someone has removed the litter box.
- When there are frequent pet accidents, it may be necessary to make the "accident zone" off limits to your pet. Sometimes your pet returns to the area where he or she smells his personal scent.
- To clean washable items, add a one-pound (450 g) box of baking soda to regular detergent. If urine or feces is still visible after washing, rewash with an enzymatic cleaner (available at pet supply stores), following the instructions on the box.
- When cleaning up fresh urine or feces, if possible, take the paper towels to the place where you wish for your pet to toilet. This gives your pet the message that defecation and urination are OK if they are done in the right place.
- Washable paints and wallpaper can be treated with enzyme-based cleaning products.
Problems with Pet Odors:
Dogs: Sometimes there is a condition where your dog may smell no matter how much you wash it. It may be necessary in this situation to see the veterinarian.
Cats: Cats may occasionally urinate outside of their litter boxes. This smell can be very difficult to remove, but if you don’t remove it, the cat will most likely continue to urinate there so it is important to take action.
Removal of Pet Odors:
Cat Urine: There are a number of products on the market to remove the smell of cat urine. However, if the urine has seeped into the carpet padding, it will be necessary to actually replace the padding. The best products on the market contain enzymes that cause a chemical reaction that breaks down the urine and neutralizes the odor.
Products:
Just for Cats made by Nature’s Miracle. Website: www.naturemakesitwork.com.
Stain & Odor Remover by Kids n’ Pets. Website: www.kidsnpetsbrand.com.
Dog Smell: If the smell has seeped into carpets, it will probably be necessary to clean the carpet commercially and replace the padding underneath. Once wet dog odor or urine has seeped into a carpet’s padding it cannot be removed without replacing the padding.
Products:
Room Shocker: This is recommended by veterinarians to remove tough pet smell. It is made by Biocide Systems. Website: www.biocidesystems.com.
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