Pets are wonderful. They offer love and companionship and brighten your life. Unfortunately, they offer something else just as readily, odor!
Your pet can smell up your house in several ways if you’re not careful. Here is a list of some common pet odors to look out for and what you can do about them
1. Urine Odor
All pet owners know the undeniable stink of pet urine. When your dog has an accident on your carpet or furniture, it doesn’t always get noticed right away. Unfortunately, the smell it leaves behind lasts well past the stain it might cause, even if you do clean it immediately.
As it is such a common problem, there are many pet stain remover products designed with odor eliminators formulated for urine.
2. Litter Box Odors
Cat owners know the pain, hassle, and smell litter boxes bring. Unfortunately, many don’t even notice the musty smell until a visitor stops by the house and points it out. If you have a litter box, maintain it to avoid this embarrassment.
You should scoop your box for poop at least once a day and change the litter once a week to keep it fresh. Take the time to vacuum around and under the box, as well. Some suggest putting a layer of baking soda at the bottom of your litter box to help.
3. Bad Breath Odors
As any dog owner knows, dental hygiene is hard to maintain in your pet. Some estimates say that more than 80% of pets over 3 years old have advanced periodontal disease. Add to that the high occurrence of halitosis in animals and you’ve got an odor problem.
Regular brushing and veterinary dentistry can help stave off many of these problems, but dogs, especially, are extraordinarily prone to bad dental and oral health. Your pet’s breath will likely start to stink as he or she ages. Prepare yourself.
4. Pet Bed Odors
If your pet has a dedicated bed, blanket, or another sleeping spot, it likely smells awful. Your pet’s hair follicles emit some perspiration throughout the day. That means the hairs themselves will start to smell.
If you have a shedder, it’s your pet’s bed that likely collects the biggest chunk of that hair and the smells it brings with it. Remove hairs from your pet’s bed often and wash the cover regularly to cut down on this particular odor.
5. Pet Gas Odors
Pets fart. It’s a fact. Sometimes, that fact becomes a problem and it can be for several reasons. Some animals react badly to certain ingredients found in the food you give them. If you notice a gas odor problem, try changing out your pet’s food.
Animals are also prone to things like inflammatory bowel disease, internal parasites, or other intestinal problems. If switching diets or adding pro and prebiotic supplements don’t work to solve the problem, you may need to consult your veterinarian.
What to Do About Pet Odors
There are a few steps you can take to neutralize some of these and other pet odors. Clean with the right products to make sure they are designed to handle your needs. Consider baking soda in more places that collect these odors, as well.
Lastly, be a responsible pet owner. Make sure your pet’s health is well attended to with regular vet visits and at-home care. Do these things and you can avoid some of the unpleasantness.
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