One of the greatest joys of life is owning a dog. They're loyal, love you unconditionally, and are always there to greet you when you walk in the door. Studies have proven that people who owned pets had lower stress hormones (like cortisol) than those who didn't have pets in their homes. Dogs also help fight depression and anxiety.
But there's one slight downside: everything in your home will start to smell like a dog.
How Having a Dog Can Make Everything in a Home Smell Like Dog
Your dog has a lot of fur on its body. When they breathe, this fur collects airborne particles and smells terrible, which causes them to lick themselves constantly to clean off the bad smells and taste good again (this is why dogs will often eat grass after they've been rolling around in something smelly).
When your dog licks their paws or fur, it leaves behind saliva that contains bacteria from its mouth and stomach. The result? Everything that comes into contact with your dog smells like it. If these bacteria get onto your furniture or in your car, it can start to stink up everything.
Your pajamas will smell like the dog's breath when it licks them at night. Your blankets will smell like their fur when it curls up next to you on the couch. Your couch will smell like its drool when it gets tired of sitting up and lays down instead.
Dogs also shed fur and dander, which can get on surfaces including carpeting and furniture and even inside your clothes. The hair and dander can also cause allergies if you or family members have pet allergies.
Dogs are not just furry animals with wet noses. They're also animals that like to eat, drink, and sleep on beds and chairs just like we do. They also have training accidents when they soil carpet or furniture— especially when they're puppies.
Their natural scent is hard to get out of everything. Dogs have scent glands all over their bodies, and they use these glands to leave their mark on everything from furniture to carpet.
It's not just any old dog smell, either — it's an overpowering, pungent stench that can fill up entire rooms in no time at all. If you're worried about how much of an odor you project after owning a dog for some time, here are some simple steps you can take to minimize it:
How to Get Rid of the Dog Smell in Your House
One of the most effective ways to keep your dog's smell at bay is by using a high-quality air freshener for dogs.
What Does an Air Freshener for Dogs Do?
An air freshener for dogs works by filtering out smells from the air around it. It does this through an absorption process, which involves attaching molecules from harmful substances onto its surface so that they cannot be breathed in or absorbed into the skin and digestive system.
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We recommend BluntPower as the best air freshener for dogs. It has a robust scent that masks pet odors and makes your home smell like vanilla or anything else you choose. It also doesn't contain any chemicals that might harm your dog or family members.
Other Ways To Get Rid of The Dog Smell
- Brush your dog daily so that their fur doesn't get too dirty or full of dead skin cells before it's shed off naturally.
- Wash bedding and clothing frequently (or replace them if necessary).
- Vacuum often so that your pet doesn't leave behind any stains or odors.
- Try giving chew treats made with essential oils like peppermint oil or lemon oil instead of traditional dog treats.
- If possible, invest in non-porous surfaces such as tile or hardwood rather than carpeting.
- Use an enzymatic cleaner on carpets and upholstered furniture often. These cleaners are designed to break down pet urine on contact.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the floor of your closet.
- Deodorize your dog's food containers.
- Dog proof your home by finding ways to keep dogs out of trash cans and off of countertops.
- Clean up pet waste promptly, even if it's outside.
- Wipe down your dog's paws before it comes inside.
- Keep fabric-covered items away from your dog.
- Put some vinegar in your washing machine when you wash laundry.
How Can You Minimize The Build-up of Dog Smell in the Future?
Keeping your house clean doesn't mean getting rid of your dog. It means being smart about how you live with them in your space.
Bathe Dogs Often
If you have a small dog, consider bathing them once a week. Make it bi-weekly if you have a bigger dog. A bath will help remove dead skin cells and other oils that can collect in their fur and create a doggie odor.
Wash Bedding Regularly
If you have bedding or throw pillows with removable covers, wash them at least once every week. Wash blankets, sheets, and comforters as often as possible, including the dog's bedding.
Clean Up After Meals
Dogs are sloppy eaters, so they often leave food on their bowls and floors, especially when eating from bowls on the floor. Take time everyday or evening to clean up these messes so that they don't get a chance to dry out and form a crusty layer on the surface of your furniture or carpets.
Clean Up Spills Immediately
Even though dogs are messy eaters, they're also heavy drinkers who go through the water quickly— sometimes spilling the water bowl all over themselves and then tracking it around everywhere they go afterward.
Use Air Fresheners and to Replace the Smell of Dog
If you don't like artificial scents, try using natural options like essential oils or homemade cleaners. Lavender spray from BluntPower is an excellent choice because it's known as an anti-anxiety scent that can help calm dogs down if they're feeling stressed out or anxious about being left alone at home all day. For more information about keeping your home smelling fresh, contact us.
