If you’re lucky enough to have a furry best friend or two sharing your home, then you’ll know all about the doggy aroma your canine companion can leave behind. Masking the smell is not the solution, although it may be the quickest in the short-term, so here are some tips for banishing the doggy aroma from your home for good:
- Pamper your pooch
Having your dog professionally groomed/bathed regularly will go a long way towards ensuring that your home smells fresher even when your dog is inside. While your pooch doesn’t sweat in the same way that we do, they omit odors from glands in their ears and hair follicles that can begin to pong if left untreated. If you’re comfortable bathing your dog yourself, then try to do so every so often (not too often as that can strip the oils from your dog’s coat) and use mild soap designed for use with pets. If your dog gets very smelly, you can always give them a wipe down with a pet wipe in between baths.
- Don’t overlook your best friend’s mouth:
Dental infections are very common in dogs, and it’s not always easy to check inside their mouths, especially if your dog doesn’t allow you to! So, schedule regular visits to your trusted veterinarian to make sure Fido’s teeth and gums are healthy. You can even buy doggy toothpaste and brush your dog’s teeth regularly to help prevent them from becoming dirty and smelly.
- Baking soda can be a wonder cure:
This cheap, store cupboard essential is great for neutralizing odors on furniture, carpets and even upholstery. Sprinkle it liberally on your carpets and leave it for up to 30 minutes before vacuuming it (you may need to give it a light scrub with a brush to distribute the baking soda evenly), or leave it there overnight if the smell is really bad.
- Keep playtime clean:
Dog’s toys can quickly get pongy, especially if they spend a lot of time in your pooches’ mouth, so washing them regularly is a great idea and effective way of helping to eliminate any nasty smells in your home. If the toys can be thrown into your washing machine, that makes it a little easier, otherwise leave them to soak for a while in hot water and then wash them with mild dish soap.
For many of us, a house simply isn’t a home without a dog, but most of us want our homes to smell clean and inviting. So, if you want to live in harmony with your furry best friend, and don’t want your friends to avoid visiting you due to the pong, simply follow the above tips and all will be well!
