How to Get Rid of Dog Urine Smell

Any dog can pee inside the house, even those that have been properly educated. Causes behind why a dog is urinating in the house could include not having access to the outside, sensory deprivation syndrome, pathological causes, stress and more. In addition, accidental peeing inside the house is common in puppies, as they are still in their learning phase. Despite the cause or the reason behind your dog peeing in the house, scolding or punishing your dog is NOT recommended. If you scold a dog for acting on a natural bodily requirement, like peeing, it could cause confusion, stress or fear in your dog.

When getting rid of dog pee smell in the house, you need to be careful with which products you use. Some products contain components that, instead of serving as an odor neutralizer for dogs, encourage them to continue using that place as a toilet. Before cleaning, keep your dog away from the area so they cannot lick the product or walk through it while it is wet.

If your whole house smells like dog urine, keep reading below to find what neutralizes dog urine and how to eliminate urine odor in the house.

Before applying the home remedies below to eliminate dog urine, you will need to dry it properly.

Start by using absorbent and disposable paper towels to remove as much urine as possible (remember to wear gloves). Do not rub the urine when drying it, as this can cause the material to soak up more of it, especially in the case of textiles such as carpets, rugs or curtains. Blot gently and replace the paper towels as they become wet to avoid spreading the urine to a larger area.

Once you’ve dried your dog’s urine, soak another absorbent paper towel in water and gently pass it over the urine-stained area. Once the yellow color disappears or has decreased considerably, you can begin using these home remedies to get rid of dog urine smell.

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with powerful oxidizing properties. There are two effective ways to use hydrogen peroxide when removing dog urine smell:

Hydrogen peroxide and water

Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and tap water in a spray container. Once you have dried the urine, spray the area with the mixture and leave it for 30 minutes. You can then rinse the area with water using an absorbent towel.

This method is most effective on light-colored carpets and ceramic floors. It is not recommended for darker textiles, since oxygenated water can discolor them. Always test the mixture on a hidden spot first, and do not use it on a surface unless you are sure it will not be damaged.

Hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate

Mix 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid detergent. Use a deep container, as these components will bubble when stirred.

Once mixed, you should be left with a thick and uniform paste. If you’re wondering, ‘‘how to get old dog urine smell out of the carpet,’’ this method is ideal. Spread the mixture thickly over the area, leave it on for an hour, remove it with absorbent paper and rinse with water. As with any cleaning mixture, test it on an inconspicuous area first to check for discoloration.

For more about a dog peeing inside, we recommend reading our article, ‘‘My dog peed on my bed - what does it mean?’’

So, what neutralizes dog urine? White vinegar is a household ingredient often used as a natural cleaner, and it has a pungent odor. So if you’re wondering, ‘‘Does vinegar remove urine odor?’’ the answer is yes: vinegar can help reduce the smell. You can use vinegar on fresh or old urine stains on floors or carpets. When using it, however, we recommend that you avoid rubbing it in to prevent the urine from being absorbed further.

Applying vinegar as an odor neutralizer is very simple. All you have to do is mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part hot water in a spray container. Then, apply it over the urinated area and leave it for 20 minutes. Remove it with absorbent paper and dry the area completely. Never mix vinegar with bleach or other cleaning products.

For more about the benefits of vinegar for dogs, we recommend reading:

• How to make homemade perfume for dogs.
• How to get rid of fleas on dogs with vinegar.

Sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline compound that stands out as an effective household product thanks to its antifungal and abrasive effects. For this reason, baking soda can be useful for getting rid of pet urine smell in the house:

Baking soda

After removing the urine, sprinkle baking soda in the area and leave it overnight. In the morning, remove it with a vacuum cleaner. Baking soda can be toxic for dogs if they ingest it in large quantities, so you should only use this method if you can keep your dog away from the area for the entire time. Make sure to vacuum up all the powder before allowing your dog back into the room.

Baking soda and vinegar

This remedy can be used on fresh or old urine. Mix 150 milliliters of vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Apply the solution to the problem area and let it act for half an hour. Remove it and rinse with water.

When it comes to materials such as wood or carpets, test the mixture in an inconspicuous area to verify that it does not discolor them.

Lemon can be useful when it comes to eliminating dog urine odor. When used on a surface and kept out of reach, this method is unlikely to cause side effects. Its aroma can help mask the unpleasant stench of urine, and lemon also has antifungal and antibacterial properties.

The best way to apply lemon to get rid of dog urine smell is by mixing 100 milliliters of lemon juice, 50 milliliters of water and 2 spoons of baking soda. Fill an atomizer with the mixture and spray it on the area. Leave it on for half an hour and then remove it with water. If necessary, repeat the process. Keep your dog away from the treated area until it is dry, and prevent them from licking the mixture.

In addition to helping reduce odor, lemon may work as a dog urine repellent, as citrus aromas can discourage dogs from approaching places. If you want to know what other smells dogs hate, we recommend reading our article where we list the top 10 smells dogs hate.

Enzymatic cleaners are organic products made from enzymes. Among their many functions is their ability to break down odor-causing compounds, including those found in dog urine, helping to remove the smell rather than simply mask it.

Enzymatic cleaner brands vary according to each country, but they are easily found in supermarkets and home cleaning stores. Follow the instructions on the label, as the recommended application time can vary. Allow the treated area to dry as directed, and avoid using other cleaners on it at the same time, since they may interfere with the product.

Dog urine can cause odor problems both outside and inside. Whether in your garden or patio, these options to get rid of dog urine smell outside may help:

Cleaning garden slabs

Garden slabs, whether made of marble, granite or another material, can easily take on the bad smells of a dog's pee. To eliminate it, we recommend using:

• Chemical bleach: bleach can be bought in cleaning product stores, but it should be used with caution and only if the product label says it is suitable for the surface. Never apply it where urine or another cleaner is still present, as mixing products can release harmful fumes. Keep animals away during cleaning and rinse the area thoroughly with water afterward.
• Lemon and water: an equal mixture of lemon and water may help reduce the smell and act as a dog repellent. Test it on a small area first, as acidic mixtures can affect some surfaces.

Cleaning the lawn

When it comes to organic material such as grass, some people use garden lime on bad-smelling areas and then rinse with water. Follow the product directions carefully and keep your dog off the treated lawn until it has been watered and is safe to walk on, since lime can irritate paws.

For more about the uses of lemon, we recommend reading our article where we discuss how to keep a dog from pooping in your yard.

In addition to eliminating the smell of dog urine, there are products and strategies that may help stop a dog from peeing inside. Dog urine repellents sometimes include:

Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper can irritate a dog’s mucous membranes, eyes and skin. Although dogs may avoid areas where it is used, it is not a recommended repellent because a dog could inhale or lick it.

Rather than sprinkling cayenne pepper to keep a dog from peeing inside, block access to the area and supervise your dog while you work on their toilet training. This is safer and helps address the behavior instead of relying on an irritating substance.

Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is commonly used to disinfect wounds and has strong antibacterial properties, but its intense odor and potential toxicity make it unsuitable as a dog repellent.

Do not spray it in areas your dog can reach or allow your dog to ingest it, as it can be toxic to animals. For indoor accidents, use a cleaner that is appropriate for the surface and follow its label instructions.

Lemon and vinegar

Lemon and vinegar have strong odors and are sometimes used as deterrents, but they may not reliably prevent a dog from urinating in a particular spot. Mix 1 cup of lemon juice with 1 cup of vinegar and apply a small amount to the area only if it is safe for that surface. Keep your dog away until the area is dry, and never mix this solution with bleach.

When it comes to getting rid of dog urine smell, it’s important to determine why your dog has started to pee in inappropriate places. If your dog is a puppy, you will need to educate it correctly. Read here about paper training for puppies. If, however, your adult dog is suddenly manifesting this behavior, pay attention to possible signs and symptoms of stress, depression, a need for a routine change and more. In both cases, remember to consult your veterinarian to rule out the possibility of an underlying pathology. Also, don’t forget that when educating a dog, positive reinforcement is the most appropriate form. Cleaning thoroughly can help prevent your dog from returning to a spot because of lingering odor, but it does not replace addressing the cause of the behavior.

Additionally, products that contain ammonia, chlorine or bleach should not be used to clean urine. Their odors may encourage a dog to revisit the area, and these products can be toxic to dogs. Never mix cleaning products, and keep your pet away until the cleaned surface is fully dry.

Although all of the remedies mentioned above can help neutralize urine odors, they are not a solution to the underlying problem. In this case, the solution to eliminating dog urine smell in the house is to make sure your dog is happy and healthy, receives enough walks and exercise, and is able to socialize with other dogs.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Get Rid of Dog Urine Smell, we recommend you visit our Behavioral problems category.