Pet odor removal is one of the most frustrating parts of having a dog. Even adult dogs who are potty trained can still have accidents from time to time. This might leave an unpleasant smell behind, but there’s no reason to panic. There are plenty of ways to remove the stains and odors from dog urine, leaving your house smelling fresh once again.
Tips on Removing Pet Stains
If your dog pees on the carpet or on their bed, it’s important to clean it up as soon as you can. If the object is machine-washable, you can simply throw it in the laundry and add baking soda to your regular detergent. However, if the accident happened on something that can’t be put in the washing machine, you’ll need to tend to it as soon as you can.
For stains that are still wet, soak up as much of the urine as possible first. Cover it with a thick layer of paper towels and newspaper. Stand on those towels until they soak up most of the moisture. Rinse the accident area, and then use a special pet odor removal product to get rid of the stain and smell.
Stains that have already dried are harder to get out, but not impossible. Using one of the following products is likely the best way to clean your home properly. However, don’t use too much of a cleaning product or else it might discolor your carpet. Make sure you read any instructions on the bottle before using it.
Best Pet Odor Removal Products
There are lots of pet odor removal products out there, but not all of them do the trick. We’ve select five effective products and analyzed them each based on features, pros, and cons.
#1 – Rocco & Roxie Supply Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator
This odor remover can come in either a 32-ounce spray bottle or a 1-gallon bottle. It’s enzyme activated, which means the enzymatic bacteria in it are activated upon contact with odors or stains, removing them from the base. It’s designed to tackle stains from nearly anything, including urine, feces, and vomit on any surfaces. It can be used on carpet, floor, furniture, and even clothing. It’s made without chlorine or coloring, so it’s safe around both humans and animals.
Pros:
- It can be used on multiple surfaces.
- It cleans all types of stains.
- It’s enzyme activated.
- It’s safe for humans and animals.
- It comes in two sizes.
Cons:
- It has a strong chemical smell.
- It could discolor your carpet.
- It might not work for thick carpet.
#2 – Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator
The Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator only comes in a 8-ounce bottle, but it claims to be just as effective as a 1-gallon container. It has a citrus scent that’s derived from the oil of orange peels. It’s biodegradable and non-toxic, making it safe for both humans and animals. It can be used anywhere that pet odor is a problem, especially on carpet, tile, bedding, and car interiors. It attacks the stains and odors upon contact, leaving your home with a fresh smell once again.
Pros:
- It has a fresh citrus smell.
- It’s biodegradable.
- It’s safe for humans and animals.
- One 8-ounce bottle is equal to a 1-gallon bottle for other brands.
- It can be used on multiple surfaces.
Cons:
- It could discolor your carpet.
- The smell might not last long.
- It might not eliminate all odors.
#3 – Bubba’s Super Strength Pet Odor Eliminator
This product is similar to the Rocco & Roxie Odor Eliminator because it can be purchased in a 32-ounce spray bottle or a 1-gallon bottle. It uses natural dormant bacteria that becomes active when it comes into contact with stains. It’s supposed to destroy the stains and odor all the way down to the carpet pad. It can be used for flooring, rugs, and carpets. It’s also safe to use around humans and animals. It can eliminate all types of stains, even ones that aren’t related to animals, such as spilled beverages.
Pros:
- It destroys all odor down to the carpet pad.
- It can be used on multiple surfaces.
- It’s safe for humans and animals.
- It can be used on all types of stains.
- It comes in two sizes.
Cons:
- It could discolor your carpet.
- The smell might be unpleasant.
- It might not deter animals from peeing in that spot again.
#4 – Simple Green Outdoor Odor Eliminator for Pets
This is an outdoor odor remover, so it’s designer for grass, artificial turf, concrete, and gravel as opposed to carpet and flooring. It can help remove odors from urine, feces, and vomit. It uses natural enzymes that eliminate odors at the source rather than just cleaning them up. It’s a non-toxic formula that will not harm your furry family members in any way. It comes in a 32-ounce bottle with a hose end sprayer, along with a 1-gallon refill bottle, so you get much more odor remover than the indoor products give you.
Pros:
- You get a lot of odor remover for the price.
- It can clean up all outdoor surfaces.
- It’s safe for animals and humans.
- It uses natural enzymes.
- It removes multiple types of stains and odors.
Cons:
- It’s only for outdoor use.
- It might not remove all odors.
- It could come with missing parts.
#5 – Angry Orange Citrus Ready-to-Use Pet Odor Eliminator Spray
This is another Angry Orange product, but it comes in a 24-ounce spray bottle as opposed to an 8-ounce regular bottle. It has a citrus smell because it’s made from oranges, which makes it safe to use around humans and animals. This product is ready to use without you needing to clean or mix anything ahead of time. You just need to spray it directly on the stain. It works on all types of surfaces, including carpet, tile, wood floor, driveways, and grass. Just a little bit of this product can go a long way.
Pros:
- It smells like citrus.
- It’s easy to use.
- It works on all types of surfaces.
- It’s safe for humans and animals.
- A little bit can go a long way.
Cons:
- It could make you cough or sneeze if you use too much.
- The spray bottle could leak while spraying.
- The spray might go bad quickly.
How to Prevent Accidents
Of course, dogs who are potty trained are much less likely to have accidents, but it’s still possible. Whenever you bring a new dog home, there’s a chance that they might need potty training even if you were told they didn’t. New places can be scary for dogs, so you need to teach them where to do their business. Potty training your dog is the best way to avoid problems. Be patient and consistent with them when showing them where to relieve themselves. Using a command like “go potty” every time you take them out can be beneficial too.
Oftentimes, dogs will have accidents when you’re not home. They usually know they shouldn’t go inside, so if they have to go, they might wait until you’re not looking. To prevent this, make sure you take them out regularly throughout the day. Most dogs should be taken outside every few hours, and they should not be forced to hold their bladder longer if they don’t have to. If you’re gone for long periods of time on a regular basis, you might want to find someone to walk your dog during the day.
Keeping your dog in a crate when you’re not home is also a great way to prevent accidents. Dogs typically don’t want to sleep in the same spot they use the bathroom, so they’ll be extra careful not to pee in their crate. Again, they can only hold it for so long though, so never force them to be crated for too long. As long as you take your dog out often, especially before you leave them alone, they should be able to hold their bladder.