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I’ll leave scents in both obvious and hidden places
Spring cleaning season might be over, but it’s never too late for some tips on how to keep your house fresh and free of pet odors. Today I have some tips on what to do if you notice unpleasant pet smells around your house.
Advice for how to deal with a smelly pet is simple: if you have a pet that regularly stinks, bathe it as often as needed. If you continue to have trouble there might be a health issue, so take your pet to the veterinarian, or at least a groomer that might be able to tell you if this is a normal smell or not.
Here at the Pets Blog we’ve already covered how to clean up a pet-related odor emanating from a specific mess. My favorite cleaner to use is Nature’s Miracle; it works the best for urine and bowel messes, but I tend to use it for vomit as well because it really breaks down the molecules of the scent, rather than just masking it with sweeter smells.
My focus in this post is how to find the sources of the generic scents that sometimes start to build up in areas pets frequently use. The tips come from the Sacramento Bee by way of the American Kennel Club (AKC). The advice was meant for canine odors, but applies to feline ones as well.
The trick in combating these odors is to know from where they might be issuing. The actual cleaning is easy enough. The first place to attack is your pet’s bed. Purchase pillows, pads, etc. with removable washable covers. Throw them in the laundry every week. Also clean the spot under your pet’s bed on a regular basis.
If your pet likes to sleep on pillows or chair or sofa cushions, purchase removable washable covers for them as well. If your pet has enough toys that you’ve taken to keeping them in a box or drawer, clean out that storage space. Also replace old, much-chewed toys and hand wash (unless a tag for a fabric toy says it’s laundry safe) the ones that are still in better shape. Make sure not to put them back in any enclosed areas until they are dry.
Finally, check out any of your pet’s favorite hiding spots. Both cats and dogs often like to hide away when enjoying their treats and store some for later, so there might be little food bits in a secreted space.
If you can’t immediately think of a spot you know your pet uses, check under sofas and beds, behind large pieces of furniture, and in the corners of closets. To keep your carpets fresh and free of pet scents, just sprinkle a little baking soda on the rug before vacuuming.
As a bonus, I have one more pet cleaning tip direct from the AKC. If your pet has had an unfortunate encounter with a skunk, here’s the AKC’s special odor-removing bath formula:
* 1/4 cup of baking soda
* 1-2 teaspoons of mild dishwashing detergent like Ivory Snow
* 1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution
* Mix in a bucket and use immediately
* Work the foaming mixture well into the coat
* Leave on for five minutes
* Rinse with warm water
* Follow with dog [or cat] shampoo if desired
Get your pet into the tub as soon as possible, before the stink really sets into the skin and fur.
With these tips you should have no problem keeping your home free from pet odors.
Related Articles:
Introducing Pets to Newborns, Pt. 3
What to Consider When Getting a Rabbit
How Far Would You Go to Save a Sick Pet?