Pet Odor Removal Solutions

The odor and stains from pet urine and cat spray stubbornly cling and soak into surfaces, making a home smell less than welcoming to visitors. What are the best pet odor removal strategies the most stubborn odors? Is it possible for pets and people to live together in an odor-free environment? Yes, it is! The choices are not only easy, but also help train your pet toward more acceptable behavior.

Was it Really an Accident?

Why do pets “go” where they shouldn’t? Stress in one form or another is often the cause. Both dogs and cats urinate to mark territory, and cats spray as well. Territorial behavior increases with multiple pets, or when other pets visit the home. Male cats spray when they sense a rival male or when a nearby female cat is in heat. Being creatures of habit, Dogs are often easier to behavior train because they have instincts to please their master.

Cats are more independent than dogs, but they can be trained. It’s easier to change a cat’s mind if you make him believe it was his idea. For instance, cats usually prefer not to eat where they urinate or defecate. If they choose a new spot to urinate apart from the litter box, they will return to that spot, locating it by scent. By removing the odor, you have a better chance at re-training your pets not to mark at all.

Finding the source of the odor.

Sounds easy, but in the case of urine and feline spray, the odor can be so strong and penetrating that even a tiny, unnoticeable amount to the human eye will fill a room – or an entire house – with unpleasant odor. Feline spray in particular is similar to skunk spray in constitution and can be equally difficult to remove. Maybe it’s not quite as bad as a skunk, but if you have to live with it, it’s bad enough. And while urine puddles are normally apparent, spray is very hard to detect. Cats normally spray on a vertical surface, around doors and windows or favorite spots. With a handheld blacklight, finding the problem areas is easy. Under its ultraviolet rays, urine (of any species) turns yellow, and it reveals feline spray as well.

Which product should I try first?

Odor Destroyer is the most powerful pet odor removal formula, and because it is a solvent rather than a water-based liquid, it is safe to use on many otherwise difficult applications like hardwood floors and leather furniture. Rather than try product after product without effective results, Odor Destroyer is an economical first choice. However, a solvent based product is not recommended for surfaces such as bedding. In that case, use a water based enzymatic pet odor remover like Pet Stain-Off, 

Outdoor Pet Odor elimination

To prevent animals from using specific areas, try an outdoor repellent like Repel II cat and dog repellent. Repel discourages pets from relieving themselves on lawns, flowerbeds, driveways or sidewalks.

For existing areas with pet odors, cover the odor with Odor Destroyer Dry, a safe, sand-like application suitable for gardens, lawns, or an outdoor pet odor remover is needed. Odor Destroyer Dry is highly recommended for preventing pet odors in a kennel, dog run, or in a litter box.

For vertical cat marking spots like garbage cans or house siding, use Pet Stain-Off or Odor Destroyer spray.

Keeping them away

Once you’ve removed the territorial marks, you can make those places more undesirable to the animal with a cot or dog repellent. Boundary is very effective at retraining pets away from the places you want to protect. Its odor is highly unpleasant to cats and dogs, but neutral to humans. Are you frustrated with neighboring cats lurking around your bird haven? Use boundary on the soil around the shrubs where cats can hide (a bird’s olfactory senses won’t pick it up). Follow directions carefully when using Boundary around plants, especially food gardens. When applied correctly, Boundary can help protect your garden from becoming a big outdoor kitty litter box.

Feeling Good Leads to Better Behavior

Dogs and cats use pheromones, an odor only they can detect, as a stress reliever. Female dogs produce pheromones when nursing pups. Cats rub pheromones on surfaces (or people) with their faces. Face-rubbing an object or person means the cat is pleased and feels safe. It also helps them find that feel-good place again.You can give your pet this happy, reassured feeling by spraying Feliway for cats and Comfort Zone for dogs, both of which mimic natural pheromones. This is a very positive way to communicate on your pets level, and gives pets the reassurance they need in stressful situations. Less stress means fewer accidents and territorial behaviors like spraying, marking, and scratching.

Pets offer their owners so much – affection, loyalty, stress-relief, and more. It would be a shame if pet owners let a manageable problem like pet odor removal come between them and a happy relationship. With the right strategies and pet odor removers, your pets will once again be viewed as welcome, lovable members of the family.