There is no denying that our furry friends come with a distinct scent that can permeate our homes. Each day, millions of pet owners search for answers on how to eliminate pet odors in the home, wondering which cleaning methods are best for removing that doggy scent from furniture like the couch.
What Is Making Your Dog So Stinky?
Like any problem, it’s important to first determine what the cause is so that an appropriate solution can be found.
Your Dog Just Needs A Bath
Imagine that you haven’t bathed for a week. You’d likely be pretty smelly, correct? The average dog isn’t bathed daily or even weekly and that’s ok! Dog’s without health concerns don’t need to be bathed very often and shouldn’t be as this can cause dry skin. But if you notice that your dog is dirty or is starting to smell extra stinky, the occasional bath is fine and is a great way to deodorize your pet.
There are hundreds of pet shampoos on the market, providing a wide variety of fresh scents to freshen your pup’s fur!
Your Dog Has A Yeast Infection
If your dog smells they could have a yeast infection. Yeast can always be found on the skin of healthy dogs, however, underlying conditions like allergies can result in the overgrowth of this yeast. Common signs of an overgrowth of yeast include:
1. Itching;
2. Changes In Skin Color And Texture;
3. Greasy Skin;
4. Swelling;
5. Hair Loss;
6. Exessive Licking.
Yeast infections can be treated with oral medications and shampoos but until the underlying health issue addressed, the infection is likely to recur.
Dental Disease
Many dog owners understand that dental disease can cause terrible breath but they don’t connect dental disease with body odor! However, when a dog drools and cleans their body, their saliva is left all over their fur and the smell from their mouth is transferred to their body.
Dog owners can help to prevent dental disease by brushing their dog’s teeth regularly and using treats designed to help keep the teeth clean, such as:
● Greenies;
● Dentastix;
● Nylabone Dental Chews;
● Fresh Kisses.
The reality is, however, that once your dog has significant dental disease this condition needs to be treated by your veterinarian. If your veterinarian has recommended a dental cleaning it’s wise to have this done. Just like when you go to the dentist, your veterinarian will scale your dog’s teeth and determine if any other treatments are required.
Anal Sac Infections
Many dog owners don’t know what anal sacs are until their canine companion has an issue with one or both. Anal sacs are two small pouches that sit on either side of the anus. These sacs contain a rather foul-smelling fluid that is expressed when a dog has a bowel movement. Researchers believe that this fluid is a type of “calling-card” and that when another dog smells this fluid, it provides them with information regarding the dog that left it.
When the ducts to these anal sacs become inflamed the swelling can cause the sac to become enclosed allowing bacteria to grow and an abscess to form. Anal sac disease is very common and can be very stinky.
This medical condition can be treated with oral pain medications and antibiotics. If your dog is regularly diagnosed with anal gland abscesses or infections, your veterinarian may recommend surgical removal of the sac.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence may not always be immediately obvious. If your dog is dribbling small amounts of urine this can soak their fur, causing them to smell. If left untreated, incontinence can also cause skin irritation and skin infections.
There are many underlying health conditions that can cause incontinence which is why you should seek a consultation with your veterinarian if you suspect your dog is leaking urine.
Once you determine why your dog is so stinky you’ll hopefully be able to control the odor better in the future. Now it’s time to tackle the smell coming from your couch!
Getting Rid Of Dog Smell From Your Couch
Here are a few tips to help you remove that overwhelming doggy scent from your couch:
Remove Any “Extras”
Couches are a great place to snuggle up and read a good book or watch your favorite show. Most people have extras on their couch, like blankets and pillows. It’s important to wash these regularly because they can also hold bad smells.
If you can invest in pillows that have waterproof and removable colors, that’s also a great idea so that the interior padding is protected from any liquids like drool.
Wash Your Cushion Covers
If your cushion covers are removable and can be thrown into the washing machine, do it! Keep in mind that hot water can help to set in the smells and typically it’s best to wash in cold water. If you can find instructions from your couch manufacturer, be sure to follow these.
Invest In A Great Vacuum And Use It Regularly
Every dog sheds both fur and skin cells. In addition to shedding, dogs bring in the dirt, pollen, and dust particles from outside. This can add to that doggy smell but regular vacuuming can remove the buildup.
Don’t forget to vacuum the sides and underneath the couch!
If it’s been some time since you’ve upgraded your vacuum, consider investing in a new one. Technology has improved vacuums and it’s incredible how much cleaning power new models have! A few of the top-rated vacuums for pets include:
● Shark Rotator TruePet;
● Bissel Pet Hair Eraser;
● Dyson Ball Animal;
● Dirt Devil Razor Pet.
Try Using Baking Powder
For natural odor removal, try baking powder! This super affordable solution can be a great way to remove scents. After vacuuming the couch apply a fine layer of baking soda and let it sit overnight. This will absorb odors. Vacuum the baking soda up the next day!
Use An Enzymatic Cleaner
If appropriate, look into using an enzymatic cleaner to clean your couch. These liquid cleaners contain enzymes and bacteria that attack the proteins that can cause bad odors. They literally break down the proteins until they no longer exist.
An enzymatic cleaner may not be ideal depending upon the type of couch you have and the fabric that covers the cushions. It’s also important to keep in mind that enzyme cleaners need to be left on and this level of saturation might result in the inability to sit on your couch for an extended period of time.
Consider Hiring A Professional
If the scent is strong enough you may want to hire a professional upholstery cleaner to tackle the problem for you.
Buy Your Dog Their Own Bed Or Couch
As much fun as it is to snuggle with your pup on the couch you may ultimately want to train them to stay off of the furniture. Thankfully, they can still rest in comfort on one of the many high-end dog beds and mini dog couches available on the market.
Consider Investing In A New Couch
If you’ve decided that it’s time to invest in a new couch, be sure to do your homework before making a purchase. It’s important to consider the type of fabric, if the couch cushion covers can be removed, and if the cushion covers are waterproof.
Modular couches are often a great choice for pet owners. For example, LoveSac makes a sectional that is purchased piece by piece, making it very easy to replace one piece if it is damaged.
