Causes of Dog Odor
Dogs naturally have subtle odors from their skin oils, fur, ears, paws, and other body parts. These smells are normal for dogs and help them identify each other. However, sometimes a dog’s smell can become stronger than normal for various reasons:
Yeast and bacterial infections of a dog’s skin and ears are common causes of bad odor, as they cause overgrowth of microbes that give off smelly waste products. Skin allergies are a frequent underlying cause, as they allow microbes to proliferate (AKC). A dog’s anal glands can also become impacted and infected, releasing a very foul fishy smell.
On top of natural body odors, other sources like the dog’s diet, environment, habits, and grooming can contribute smells. For example, skin folds and wrinkles on breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs can trap moisture and debris and get smelly. Rolling in foul substances outside can also cling to a dog’s coat and lead to bad odors in the home.
Where Dog Smells Linger
Dog odors tend to linger the most in soft, porous surfaces like fabrics, carpets, and upholstery. These materials absorb smells readily and make them persist. The fibers and padding of carpets, couches, pet beds, and other upholstered items trap dander, sweat, and oils from a dog’s coat. Accidents also seep deep into carpets. Fabrics on furniture and dog beds also hold onto smells from dogs resting on them daily. Even after cleaning, smells can remain embedded in the fibers. According to HomeMadeSimple, fabrics and carpets are prone to reactivating smells when disturbed, even if you can’t detect a smell anymore. The musty dog odor will resurface once someone walks across a spot on the carpet or sits on the couch.
Pros of Opening Windows
One of the main benefits of opening windows is that it allows for fresh outdoor air to circulate indoors. This fresh air circulation helps to clear out stagnant odors. As air flows in and out of the home, it takes with it lingering smells from pets, cooking, smoke, and other sources. According to an article on Whole House Fan, “Perhaps the easiest way to eliminate pet odor is opening the windows. When the weather allows, pop open your windows and let the fresh air flow through your home” (source). The constant air exchange can help dissipate odors so they are less concentrated inside.
Limitations of Just Opening Windows
While opening windows can help air out lingering dog odors, it has some limitations in fully eliminating smells, according to experts (source). Opening windows does not remove the source of the odor itself. Odors can linger in fabrics, carpets, and upholstered furniture where dogs spend time. No matter how long you leave the windows open, smells can remain embedded in these materials.
Simply allowing fresh air in from outside cannot eliminate all odors within a home. For more stubborn scents, the source of the smell must be addressed through cleaning, replacing air filters, washing fabrics, or using odor-eliminating products on carpets and upholstery. Ventilation from open windows can help diffuse odors into outdoor air, but does not fully remove smells embedded in home materials. Relying solely on cracked windows cannot completely get rid of lingering dog odors.
Time Needed for Air Circulation
To fully air out dog odors, you’ll need to keep your windows open for an extended period of time. Many sources recommend keeping windows open for at least 2-3 hours to allow fresh air to properly circulate and dissipate pet smells. According to one source, “Opening the windows even for just a few minutes can help dissipate odors quickly. For more stubborn smells, leaving the windows open for at least a few hours will allow fresh air to circulate and send that funky smell packing.”
The amount of time needed can also depend on factors like the severity of the odor, the size of your home, and weather conditions. For example, longer air circulation times may be required in humid climates versus arid climates. Homes with many rooms and floor levels may also require longer airing out. Be patient and allow ample time for fresh air to permeate all areas and fabrics harboring odors.
It’s best to air out the home routinely, even when smells aren’t noticeable yet. This prevents odors from building up over time. Opening windows daily or several times per week for at least a couple hours will help maintain freshness.
Strategic Window Opening
Simply opening all the windows in your home may not be the most effective approach for reducing dog smells. Strategic window opening focuses on creating cross breezes to flush out stale air and bring in fresh air. Here are some tips:
- Open windows on opposite sides of the home to create cross ventilation. This allows fresh air to flow in one side and stale air to flow out the other.
- Open upstairs and downstairs windows simultaneously. This pushes air vertically through the house.
- Open windows near furniture or areas where odors accumulate the most to directly ventilate those spots.
- Open windows first thing in the morning or at night when temperatures are cooler. This draws in fresh, clean air when outdoor air quality is best.
- Use fans or whole house fans to maximize airflow through open windows. Position fans to blow air out, which pulls new air in through other windows.
- On breezeless days, create airflow by opening windows farthest from each other. Even the slightest breeze helps move air.[1]
Strategic window opening prevents the need to air out the entire house for extended periods. Focused cross ventilation targeting smelly areas cuts down on the time and energy needed to freshen indoor air.
Other Odor Elimination Tips
There are several natural and effective ways to help eliminate dog odors in your home beyond just opening the windows.
One of the most popular is using baking soda. Baking soda is a natural odor absorber. You can sprinkle baking soda over carpets, furniture, dog beds, and other areas where odors tend to linger. Let the baking soda sit overnight and then vacuum it up the next day. The baking soda will help absorb and neutralize odors from the fabric (1).
Vinegar is another great natural odor eliminator. You can dilute white vinegar with water in a spray bottle and use it to spray down areas where smells originate. The vinegar solution helps break down odors and disinfect surfaces. Let the vinegar sit for several minutes before wiping away excess moisture (2).
Thoroughly cleaning areas where odors accumulate is also key. Use pet-safe cleaners to wash dog beds, carpet, floors, furniture covers, and anything else that might hold smells. This regular cleaning can prevent odors from building up over time.
Odor Prevention
One of the best ways to prevent dog odors in your home is through regular bathing and grooming. Bathe your dog at least once a month, or more frequently for breeds that are prone to developing odors more quickly. Use a high-quality dog shampoo formulated for odor control. Thoroughly lather and rinse all areas of your dog’s coat.
Make sure to pay close attention to body areas prone to retaining odors, like the paws, skin folds, and rear end. Use a washcloth to gently clean the face. After bathing, towel dry thoroughly and brush out the coat to remove loose hair and distribute natural oils. Trim nails regularly to prevent bacteria buildup.
You should also brush or comb your dog daily if possible. Regular brushing helps distribute oils, remove dirt and dander, and prevent matted fur where odors can linger. Use a slicker brush for short haired breeds or a bristle brush for long haired breeds. Pay extra attention to body areas where tangles occur.
Lastly, don’t forget to regularly clean your dog’s bed, crate padding, collar, leash, toys, and bowls with pet-safe cleaners. This will help eliminate odors at their source.
When to Seek Professional Help
For severe pet odor issues that have penetrated deep into carpets, floors, furniture, and other household materials, it may be time to call in a professional odor removal service. According to https://sircarpet.com/why-hire-a-pro-for-pet-odor-removal/, professionals use industrial-strength products and methods that can permanently eliminate stains and odors that over-the-counter products cannot.
Signs it’s time for professional help include:
- Lingering odors even after thorough cleaning efforts
- Visible staining in carpets, floors, walls, furniture
- Odors that seem “stuck” deep in materials
- Repeated pet accidents in the same areas
Professionals have deep knowledge of the chemistry behind stubborn pet stains and how to fully neutralize odors at the source, according to https://www.arevalobroscarpetcleaning.com/tips-to-hire-professional-pet-odor-removal-services/. They use certified products and methods that are much more effective than DIY solutions.
The cost for professional pet odor removal services ranges from $150-$250 per visit according to https://www.homeserve.com/en-us/blog/cost-guide/professional-pet-odor-removal/. This investment can be worth it for pet owners struggling with severe, persistent odors in their homes.
Maintaining a Fresh Home
Preventing dog odors from taking over your home requires diligent habits. Here are some tips for keeping your house smelling fresh on an ongoing basis:
- Vacuum all carpets, furniture, and dog beds at least once a week. Invest in a high-efficiency vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture allergens. Empty the vacuum after each use so odors don’t linger.1
- Wash dog bedding and fabric toys weekly. Use an enzymatic cleaner or baking soda-based detergent to remove odors from fabrics.
- Mop tile, vinyl, and wood floors regularly to prevent buildup of dirt, drool, and allergens.
- Clean up accidents right away with an enzymatic pet odor remover. Letting urine soak into floors or fabrics makes smells harder to eliminate.
- Keep fresh air circulating by opening windows periodically. Use exhaust fans when cooking, showering, or cleaning to vent odors outside.
- Change air filters monthly for HVAC systems and air purifiers.
- Brush your dog weekly to remove loose hair and distribute oils. Bathing regularly also reduces doggy odor.
- Clean litter boxes daily, removing clumped waste and adding fresh litter as needed.
Establishing diligent cleaning routines tailored to your pets’ needs helps prevent odors from taking over. But even the cleanest home will need periodic deep cleaning and odor elimination to stay fresh.