So, you’ve just returned from a nice, long walk with your dog. But the weather was a little wet, and now your home smells like damp dog. Does this sound familiar?
Of course, like buying the best dog treats and keeping up with vet visits, this is just part of being a dog parent – particularly during the winter months – but it’s still not ideal. However, there are easy ways to help prevent that all-too-familiar damp dog odor from taking hold, as home cleaning expert Manish Jain, owner of Ministry of Cleaning, has explained.
“That all-too-familiar wet dog in winter smell isn’t pleasant, but it’s a small price to pay for the great companionship a dog offers, right?” says Jain. “But following a few simple steps makes it easy to zap this odor, leaving your dog and your home more fragrant and fresher.”
1. Give your dog regular baths: You might not feel like bathing your pup as soon as you get back in from a walk, but it will help combat that damp dog smell – here’s how to give a dog a bath and our pick of the best dog shampoos.
“If you can fit the doggy bath in right after a winter walk, go for it. Don’t bathe your pup every day though,” says Jain. “That can wash away their natural oils, which can lead to dry skin irritation and a dull coat.”
2. Use a pet odor eliminator and carpet cleaner: As well as bathing your dog, a pet odor fighter (like this one on Amazon) can also help to remove the damp dog smell. Meanwhile, if your dog has long fur, a carpet cleaner might be worth using, too.
3. Wash their bedding regularly: Fresh bedding will absorb a lot of your dog’s odors while they sleep – as Jain puts it, “We all need to wash our bedding regularly. Your dog is no exception.”
4. Use air purifiers and fresheners: “Regular domestic air fresheners can combat canine odors pretty well. Use these around the home to zap those puppy pongs,” says Jain. “Air fresheners can be a vital part of your anti-damp dog smell tool kit. But remember that your dog’s sense of smell is vastly more acute than yours, and you can very easily upset your canine companion with artificial fragrances that you might like.”
You also need to be sure that any air fresheners you use are pet-safe, and he adds, “Experiment with what works best, and what your dog doesn’t seem to mind. Bathing is top of my list because it’s so effective, but make sure your dog enjoys the bath by dunking it doggy style – and don’t do it too often.”
If you’d like more advice, don’t miss these dog grooming tips from a vet. If your pup’s odors don’t subside, meanwhile, you might find this article useful: Why does my dog smell? Vet reveals 5 reasons and what to do about it.
