How to Remove Pet Odors from Your Home
Spot is your very best friend. Sassy is the best cat anyone could ask for. But your love for them doesn’t stop the strange smells they track into your home. Why do our pets smell so bad, and what can we do about these unpleasant odors?
Why Do Our Pets Stink?
There are a few reasons why your furry friend smells less than heavenly. First, let’s clear one thing up: To a degree, a noticeably doggy odor is normal. While we two-leggers sweat from the pores of our skin, dogs sweat from their paws and hair follicles. This is why a lot of people notice that their dogs’ feet smell like Fritos! Additionally, they produce certain oils that help to keep their hair and skin healthy. The glands in their ears might have a lightly yeasty scent. And lastly, their — ahem — backsides release a specific smell, too. This explains the excessive butt-sniffing when two dogs meet each other.
Sometimes, yeast or bacterial infections on a dog’s skin or in its ears can lead to a stinky odor. So, if you notice that the smell is more overpowering, or if your dog is scratching itself relentlessly, a trip to the vet might be in order.
Remember, too, that if there are any strong scents in your home — like the food you’re cooking or cigarette smoke — your pet might absorb some of this in their coat.
Lastly, there might be things that your pets are bringing in from the outside that could potentially be smelly. For instance, if your dog does a #2 and steps in it, well… you know how this one ends.
How Can You Eliminate the Odors from Your Fur Babies?
As we said earlier, animals carry their own unique scents — just like humans do — and it’s completely natural. However, we’ve all experienced walking into a home and being overcome with the smell of pets. So, what can you do to keep your home smelling fresh as a daisy (or pretty darn close)? Here are a few suggestions.
1. Bath and Groom Consistently
Let’s start at the source: your pet. You can stop your home from smelling by taking proper care of your animals, to begin with. This means regular baths and the necessary grooming appointments. While this will depend on the breed, many dogs do just fine with monthly baths, although some might do better with one a week or every other week. Grooming appointments are necessary especially for their faces and sanitary areas, which tend to get the smelliest. Yearly dental cleanings are important, too. Without them, your pet’s mouth can smart to smell foul. And neglecting those cleanings is dangerous for their overall health, too.
When it comes to regular maintenance at home, if your pet sheds, comb them a few times throughout the week. This will help keep their coats healthy and thus, the smells under control. Plus, it’ll cut down on shedding, which means you don’t have to clean as often. Bonus!
If possible, aim to have a designated spot for combing and deshedding your pet, like a bathroom, laundryroom, or in the backyard.
2. Vacuum, Mop, and Wash Regularly
For the fur and dander that manages to escape your grasp, this is where your daily and weekly chores come in. Dogs have “bigger” shedding seasons once or twice a year, and it’ll be even more noticeable with breeds with double coats, like Siberian huskies.
However, less heavy shedding will still occur all year long. To remove fur and dander from surfaces, avoid feather dusters. More often than not, they simply move the fur and dust around. Instead, opt for vacuuming or wiping it down with a damp cloth or mop.
Don’t forget about vacuuming your furniture, too. Or, if you don’t have the proper attachment, a lint roller, a damp sponge tape, or a dryer sheet will do the job. Another cool hack is to rub the furniture down with your hands while wearing rubber gloves. The fur will stick to the gloves, making for an easy clean-up.
Regular cleaning is important for keeping foul odors at bay. It’s also beneficial if anyone in the home suffers from allergies.
3. Leave an Air Purifier Running
You might think that an air purifier can only trap particles you can see. But the right purification system will trap and eliminate odors, too. A medical-grade HEPA 13 filter can capture pet hair and dust, while an activated carbon filter will take care of any unpleasant odors.
And yes, air purifiers are safe for your pets.
Consider placing your air purifier wherever your pet spends the most time. Leave it running throughout the day and let it do its job. The Sans air purifier will tell you when it’s time to replace the filter (replaceable filters are better than washable ones) so that your device can continue running efficiently and effectively.
4. Maybe: Change Your Pet’s Diet
Certain foods and ingredients can help you dog small nicer, like parsley and coconut oil. There are also different supplements you could try. However, talk to your vet first before changing anything in your pet’s diet. Not all animals react the same to dietary adjustments, and the research on these various ingredients is ongoing.
All creatures carry their own scent, even you! And our pets are no different. While intense and overwhelming smells might be indicative of something that warrants the vet’s attention, you can otherwise keep your home smelling nice by caring for your pet’s hygiene, cleaning regularly, and running an air purifier in your home. Shop with Sans today for the latest in air purification.