A good friend of mine walked through the door and pulled no punches when she good-humoredly said that my place smelled like a barnyard. I initially thought she was joking! But when I questioned her she shook her head and laughed. I’d like to think my home is warm, clean and odour free but the truth is that our dog, Fuzzy, leaves a trail of odours that we’ve become used to over time. Our poor guests must dread any type of invite to spend time at the Brown’s place! On the plus side: dog odour is fairly easy to fix, and I’m now on the war-path to remove all stinky sources …
Bathe & Groom
Our much-loved pooches need regular bathing if we’re to keep the stinky smells at bay. My girls love shampooing and brushing Fuzzy, so it’s one of their monthly chores and is always a laugh. The hardest part is catching poor Fuzzy as she’s not too keen on getting wet. But once done, we rinse her off and give a quick dry before she shakes like mad and runs around the yard.
Keeping It Clean
Fuzzy is like the third child in our house, and spends most of her time inside. The biggest tip to stop your home smelling like a doghouse is to keep it clean. Which means:
- Vacuum the lounge, carpet and hard floors regularly to remove any dog hair.
- Wash the dog bed and dog blanket once a week.
- Have the carpet and lounge professionally cleaned regularly. This is necessary to remove the oil from the pet-hair that holds a lot of odour.
Odour Eaters for Pet Accidents
It’s well-known that pets like to urinate in the same spot. Pet urine contains uric salts that sit in the carpet and carpet backing. They attract moisture and accelerate bacterial growth. It’s the gas from the bacteria that causes the pesky odours that keep coming back.
Here’s what I suggest:
- Use an enzyme-based pet odour remover. I recommend 'urinefree'
- Mask the odour with an air freshener such as Ambi-Pur.
- Professional cleaning to treat the source of the odour. E-Dry uses a product to remove the bacteria and dissolve the uric salts.
If you have a chronic issue in a particular room then you may need to look at replacing the carpet.
Nutrition
Flatulence. There, I’ve said it. There’s nothing more embarrassing than Fuzzy dropping bombs in the corner while my guests’ noses twitch from side-to-side with the disagreeable stench. A lot of the dog food available today consists of fatty acids high in starches that don’t give our furry friends the nutrition they really need. Consider switching your pet to a more natural diet, avoid milk products and spicy foods
Beds & Collars
The pungent smell of a dog collar or bed is off-putting to even the most devoted dog lover. Consider getting a bed that has anti-microbial characteristics, and a fabric strong enough to be washed often. Additionally, wash your dog’s collar regularly, and change it every few years. When doing a wash, mix in vinegar or baking soda to help kill the bacteria.
'Fresh and clean' isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when describing a home with a dog. But armed with these five tips you should soon be out of the woods!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Sign up for email promotions, tips and special offers.