How to Keep Your House from Smelling Like a Dog

Most people who own a dog want to have their pet in their house so they can enjoy more time together, whether it’s to cuddle on the couch or have them sleep on the end of their bed each night. Although it may be enjoyable to have your pooch with you in the home, it can also cause each room to smell like a dog. If you want to make the house smell pleasant and prevent it from having a lingering odor that resembles Buddy or Sadie, then there are a few steps you’ll need to take.

One of the main ways your pet transfers odor into your home is due to dirty paws that make their way into different rooms of the house. Each time your pet goes potty outdoors or plays in the backyard, make a habit of wiping their four paws to minimize their tracks. Using an absorbent doormat will also help to remove some of the dirt before they come back inside each time.

Vinegar is a common household ingredient that is safe and extremely effective to use for cleaning. Wash everything with vinegar, which includes your curtains, bedding, and pillows to ensure your pet’s odor is banished and kept at bay. Using a mixture of ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and oxy-powered laundry soap will prove to be effective in removing even the strongest scents that come from man’s best friend.

Washing all of their bedding, toys, and clothes with baking soda and vinegar each week will also help to keep them cleaner and prevent dirty items from stinking up your living room or bedroom.

Odor can circulate in the house due to airborne particles that come from your four-legged friend. Use an air purifier once each week to cleanse the air and keep it smelling fresh. Look for a product that has a carbon and HEPA filter to reduce odors, which will prove to be a quick and easy way of creating a cleaner and more comfortable environment. Vacuuming with a product that has a HEPA filter will also prevent the dirt or bacteria from re-circulating in the air as you clean.

Many dog owners make the mistake of failing to groom their pet enough throughout the year, which not only leads to a smelly pet, but can also affect the quality and appeal of the home. Grooming your pet every three months is necessary to remove dirt and grime that accumulates on their fur coat over time. Brushing their coat every other day is also necessary to spread oils evenly through their hair and limit how much they shed.

Many pet owners don’t realize that their dog transfers their scent the most from their collar, which is prone to rub different surfaces throughout the home. Make it a point to wash it each month, but if it’s several years old, then it’s probably time to replace the item. Consider looking for a dog collar that is constructed from non-odor absorbing material.

It’s no secret that pets enjoy cuddling with their owners on the bed, whether it’s throughout the night or during naps. The bed can have smells that lurk due to oils and scents that transfer onto the materials. Look for an odor-resistant dog bed that is easy to clean, washable, and includes a few odor trappers to prevent the scent from transferring into the air.

Although most pet owners make it a point to clean areas where their dog spends the most time, it can be easy for dirt and odors to still linger due to a lack of the right cleaning products. Consider using an enzymatic cleaner that attacks the particles and bacteria that are causing the odor, which can be used on feces, vomit, and urine. Most of the products are safe to use around both children and pets and can be used on different types of surfaces. Make it a point to use the cleaning product at least once each week to maintain a fresh and clean environment that is comfortable to inhabit for both you and your guests.

One of the biggest issues that a lot of people have with their dog’s odor is the smelly dog breath. You can greatly reduce your pup’s stinky breath by brushing their teeth and using a dog breath freshener! Both help to eliminate the bacteria in your dog’s mouth that causes the foul-smelling breath.