Banishing Pet Odors From Your Home

No one wants their home to smell like their pet. That’s especially true this time of year, when guests might be coming over for the holidays! Use these tips from your Tipp City, OH vet to banish pet odors from your home once and for all.

First things first—take a look at some key areas that tend to hold odors. The litterbox is an obvious one. Cat owners should clean it on a regular basis to keep things smelling fresh. Toss your pet’s bedding in the washing machine every now and then, as pets spend a lot of time there and deposit a lot of hair and dander. You can also wash your pet’s toys using soap and hot water.

Combat the odor problem at the source: your beloved pet. Grooming them on a regular basis makes a huge difference when it comes to pesky odors. Brush your pet to remove grime from the coat and trap loose fur in your brush, preventing hair and dander from falling all over your home.

The occasional bath is another great way to keep your pet smelling great. Always use a canine- or feline-formulated shampoo, and don’t bathe too often. This can dry out your pet’s skin, resulting in a coarse, dull coat and more shedding.

Air fresheners will make your home smell better for a while, but they’re just masking odors and letting them return eventually. Odor neutralizers are a better choice. They combat the enzymes that cause bad odors at the root, eliminating them permanently. At your local pet store, you’ll find odor and stain products for every conceivable pet mess, including urine, feces, and vomit. Feel free to ask your vet for a recommendation.

There’s just no way around cleaning! Vacuum your carpets and furniture and dust on a weekly basis. Pay attention to areas like blinds, shelves, and windowsills where pet hair and dander can collect.

Has your pet suddenly developed a bad odor when you didn’t notice it before? It’s time to pay a visit to the vet’s office. A variety of medical issues—skin infection, parasites, disease, and more—could be the cause of the smell! You’ll want to have your pet examined quickly before things get any worse.

Schedule your pet’s next office visit by contacting your Tipp City, OH pet clinic.