How To Get Dog Pee Out of Carpet, Floors, and Couches
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Whether you’re potty training a new puppy or noticing accidents with an older dog, one thing is certain: that dog urine smell isn’t pleasant.
Accidents happen—it’s natural. Practice patience and use positive reinforcement with puppies and dogs who are being house-trained. If your dog is already potty-trained but has started to have accidents, take them to the vet to see if there is a medical cause.
In the meantime, here’s how to get dog pee out of carpets, hardwood floors, and couches in your home.
Key Takeaways
- Dog pee contains pheromones that encourage dogs to urinate in the same location.
- Getting rid of dog pee smell is important to stop your dog from urinating repeatedly inside your home.
- An enzymatic cleaner can eliminate urine odors.
- Be patient and use positive reinforcement when potty training a dog or puppy.
Why Does Dog Pee Smell?
The pheromones in dog urine are part of a complex system dogs use to communicate. Pheromones teach dogs boundaries and respectable places to urinate.
However, once a dog has an accident in the house, smelling those pheromones may encourage your dog to urinate again in the same spot.
You may smell a foul odor, aka dog urine smell, caused by bacteria in the urine that produce ammonia. If you’re not exactly sure where the urine odor is coming from, try using a UV or black light to find the areas of urination and ensure proper cleanup.
How To Get Rid of Dog Pee Smell
An enzymatic cleaner for dog urine destroys the proteins and enzymes that make up the pheromones in dog pee. This not only helps get rid of urine smell, but it also decreases the chances of your dog being a repeat offender in that same spot.
Products containing accelerated hydrogen peroxide can help decrease foul odors. Follow the product’s instructions for the best results, and make sure to test each product on a small, inconspicuous space before using.
How To Get Dog Pee Out of Carpet and Couches
For carpets, couches, or other areas that can’t be machine-washed, follow these steps:
- Manually blot the area to soak up excess moisture with a towel. Do not rub or wipe the spot, because that could cause the urine to spread through the fabric.
- Soak another towel with a hydrogen peroxide-based cleaner. Leave the towel and cleaner on the wet spot for 15 minutes (or however long the product instructions recommend).
- Blot and soak up the remaining moisture with a dry towel.
- Finally, apply an enzymatic cleaner, such as Nature’s Miracle or Rocco & Roxie Supply Co., to the spot.
- Mop up with a clean towel.
If you can’t remove the lingering smell using this method, try contacting a professional carpet cleaning service.
For heavily soiled areas in the house, consider getting a high-quality mini wet vac. Look for the companies that include an enzymatic cleaner in their base. This will help tackle the dog pee smell and any stains.
If name-brand products aren’t working or the space is too large, consider calling your local carpet cleaning company for assistance.
How To Get Rid of Dog Pee Smell on Hard Floors
For urine stains on non-carpeted floors, follow these steps:
- Test a small hidden area first to make sure the cleaner will not damage or discolor your floor. When in doubt, consult a local floor cleaning company.
- Soak a towel with a hydrogen peroxide-based cleaner.
- Leave the towel and cleaner on the stain for however long the product recommends, then wipe clean.
- Repeat the first two steps using an enzymatic cleaner.
How To Get Rid of Dog Urine on Rugs, Pillows, Dog Beds, and Sheets
If the soiled item can be put into the washing machine, use an enzymatic cleaner with laundry detergent to effectively get rid of urine stains and smells. A pet urine remover like Nature's Miracle Laundry Boost In-Wash Stain & Odor Remover is a good option.
If you still see stains along with a lingering dog urine smell, consult with a professional dry-cleaning company.
Why Is My Dog Peeing in the House?
If your dog is peeing in the house, there could be a few reasons, including
- Fear and anxiety
- Arthritis
- Cognitive issues
- Incontinence
- Overexcitement
- Urine marking
- Health problems, like a urinary tract infection
When dealing with a chronic issue, consult with your veterinarian for a potential diagnosis and treatment plan. If your veterinarian rules out medical concerns, consider consulting with a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT) to discuss behavior modification.
