How to neutralize stubborn pet odors in your home
More Bideawee News: All | Animal Hospital | Cat | Dog
Deciding to adopt a cat or dog from a local rescue group is an extremely exciting time for any individual, but any pet parent will tell you that you'll have to deal with an accident or strange pet odor at some point. Whether it's the area around your cat's litter box or if your pooch couldn't wait for you to get home to do his or her business, these odors can be very stubborn and hard to clear up. Here are a few tips to help remove these smells from your abode and get your home back into good order.
1. Make a trip to the veterinarian. While some accidents are a question of housetraining, you may want to make an appointment at the doctor or a Bideawee Animal Hospital if you're in the New York City area. This will allow you to rule out any potential medical issues that may be at the heart of your pet's problems, which will help narrow down your options in treating the pet's issues. Your vet may also have some helpful tips about how to improve your housetraining abilities or ways to make a cat's litter box a bit more appealing.
2. Use a black light. If you're about to treat a stain that your pet has left behind, it may be wise to go over the entire area with a black light, recommends PetLady.com. Turn off the lights in the room you're working with and go around areas that your pet most frequents. You may be able to find a few spots that have long since disappeared from the surface of your carpet and flooring, which will give you a chance to remove them from the area.
3. Treating the area. Since most pet urine stains are a mixture of both acidic and alkaline components, it's best to neutralize the two with products you probably already have in your home. According to Care2.com, you should start by treating the spot with baking soda and white vinegar to neutralize the odor. After allowing it to dry overnight, you can vacuum or sweep the spot. While your home may reek of vinegar for a few days, the smell will dissipate eventually and you won't have to worry about any offensive pet odors.
