Supports lean muscle and beautiful coat for adult dogs
Supports lean muscle, for dogs who prefer smaller kibble
Supports healthy joints, lean muscle, and beautiful coat for large breed dogs
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Grain free, easy-to-digest food that is gentle on the stomach. Nourishes skin & promotes lustrous fur.
Concerned about your pet's environmental impact? Learn how sustainable pet food can help you care for the planet without compromising pet nutrition.
Learn why nutrients like antioxidants & amino acids can help improve your pet's immune system, as well as top antioxidants to look for in pet food.
Learn what a pet's microbiome is, how it contributes to your pet's gut & overall health, and why nutrition is important in maintaining healthy microbiomes.
At some point, most dog parents have to deal with dog urine on carpet. No matter how well-behaved your pooch may be, accidents happen, and the smell from those accidents tends to linger if not properly handled. If you're wondering how to get dog pee smell out of carpet, keep reading to learn some of the most tried-and-true methods.
Dog pee is a special, smelly cocktail composed of hormones, bacteria, uric acid and ammonia, says Hunker. Ammonia in the urine becomes more concentrated over time, converting to mercaptan, also known as methanethiol, a pungent gas that gives both ammonia and dog pee their distinctive odors. This, along with the fact that ammonia is a toxic substance, is why it's never recommended to use cleaning products containing ammonia on pee stains. Not only will it make the stain more visible, but it'll also make the smell worse.
Dog urine on carpet is especially challenging. After all, you can't simply toss your carpet in the washing machine. An added problem is that urine can seep down into the padding beneath carpeting. The best way to deal with carpet stains and pee smell varies depending on how old the stain is and how frequently that particular spot gets peed on.
Ideally, your pup only pees outside or on their pee pad. But beyond that, the best you can hope for is that you'll be there to clean up the pee before it can set in and become a stain. If you're able to deal with the accident immediately, blot the liquid with a paper towel or an old T-shirt, both of which tend to be more absorbent than a standard terry cloth towel. Sprinkle the area with baking soda to absorb any lingering odor. Let it sit for about 20 minutes before vacuuming.
For pee stains that have had time to soak into the carpet but haven't yet set in, try a simple DIY cleaning solution made of these pet-safe household ingredients, suggests Mrs. Clean:
After blotting up as much of the urine as you can, mix these ingredients in a spray bottle and spray the spot liberally. If the stain has had time to dry, wet it with water to soak it out of the carpet before treating the spot.
Work the solution into the carpet with a brush or by rubbing it in with your fingers while wearing a rubber glove. Let it set for a few minutes before blotting it until it's as dry as possible. After the spot dries completely, sprinkle it with baking soda and then vacuum to capture any remaining odor.
Besides being nontoxic, both vinegar and baking soda can be effective at lifting urine and neutralizing odors before they have a chance to set in. Three percent hydrogen peroxide is also safe for pets and carpets, while being tough on stains. In lieu of hydrogen peroxide, you can use an oxygen-based bleach, which has a similar effect and is also safe for your carpet and your pup. Never use chlorine bleach on pet stains, as it's toxic to pets and could damage your rug. Always do a spot test on a discreet area first to avoid any discoloraiton or damage.
For old pee stains, or for areas your dog returns to again and again, a homemade cleaner is unlikely to help. How to get dog pee smell out of carpet in these cases boils down to one solution: enzymatic pet stain remover, which you can typically find in pet supply stores or in the pet or cleaning section of your local grocery store. Be sure to check the product label to make sure it's nontoxic and pet-safe.
The enzymes in this type of cleaner work by breaking down the ammonia and proteins in urine, thus neutralizing the odor. Follow the directions on the bottle. Typically, enzymatic cleaners don't require rinsing and are safe to use on carpet in addition to furniture, wood floors and other porous surfaces where odors might become trapped.
If none of the above methods for treating dog urine on carpet work and the smell continues to linger, it might be time to have your carpet cleaned. You can hire professionals to do this, or you can do it yourself with a rented carpet shampooer. If you're frequently wondering how to get dog pee smell out of carpet, you might consider purchasing a carpet shampooer, which is much more efficient at removing and deodorizing urine than spot treatments.
A word of caution, though — avoid steam cleaners and shampooers that use heat. Applying heat to a urine stain will only fuse the stinky proteins in the urine to the carpet fibers, making the smell permanent, says Cuteness.
Sometimes when accidents happen, your carpet is spared but your dog's bedding takes a hit. Follow these instructions to clean pee out of dog beds and dog crates.
If your dog's bed is machine-washable and small enough to fit in your machine, wash it according to the instructions on its tag. Avoid hot water, which could cause the smell to set in permanently. Use a mild, pet-safe detergent and add vinegar, oxygen bleach or enzymatic cleaner to the wash to help neutralize odors and remove stains.
For bedding that's not machine-washable, follow these recommendations from Dogster:
If your dog is no longer a puppy still going through potty training, and is still having accidents in the home, it's probably a good time to consult your veterinarian. While urinary problems aren't as prevalent in dogs as they are in cats, frequent accidents in the home can still point to a larger underlying health problem. Talk to your vet about the accidents and any other noticeable behavior changes to help them determine a treatment plan to get your dog back to their happy, healthy self.
Dog urine is unpleasant to deal with, but thankfully, with so many possible solutions, you won't have to suffer the smell for long.
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger, and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of fur babies.
Supports healthy joints, lean muscle, and beautiful coat for large breed dogs
Supports lean muscle, for dogs who prefer smaller kibble
Supports lean muscle and beautiful coat for adult dogs
Advanced nutrition to support hip & joint health from day 1
Discover how the field of dog science is giving us more and more insights into the inner workings of our furry best friends.
Your dog's coat and skin are a big part of your dog's overall health. Ensure you keep your dog's coat healthy, by following these simple tips.
Proper nutrition for your pregnant or nursing dog is vital to her and her puppy's health. Learn what you should do provide her with the proper nutrients.
Learn basic steps & precautions for treating a cut on your dog, including what you can put on the cut, and when you should take them to the vet.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.