The best pet odour eliminator for your home

Have some trouble with pesky pet odour?

best pet odour eliminator

by Piper Huxley |
Updated on

Need some help with dealing with nasty smells from your furry friend? Don’t worry. We’re here to help you in your search for the best pet odour eliminator. No matter the pet, no matter the mess. If you need something heavy-duty or to tackle difficult stains we've put together the ultimate guide to getting rid of nasty pet-related smells.

You may have noticed that dogs have a distinct smell. When you're in your home, you might occasionally recognise a familiar smell. This could be a patch on the carpet or a pet hair comforter. It can be comforting, but not always pleasant. There could be several reasons behind this smell, according to Wag!, such as pheromones (heat), natural oils to protect skin and fur, health issues, sweat or their anal sacs and scent glands. Any of these can be responsible.

Best pet odour eliminator at a glance

Though these sprays can mask the smell, they're not a long-term solution. Skin issues can lead to bacteria, which can cause a bad odour. Wag! suggests "giving your dog regular baths, brushing the coat, and properly grooming other areas," to help eliminate the issue. On the other hand, these skin issues can be caused by their diet. Luckily, there is dog food for itchy skin available to help and you can check with your vet for any shampoos to help too.

Are pet odour eliminators safe? Well, if the directions are used responsibly and correctly, they should be safe to use in the house. Always check the label and instructions before you buy. We can save your home from your pesky pets with some hair removers, too. For a short-term solution for your pongy pet, why not check out our round-up of the best pet odour eliminators for a fresh-smelling home?

Best pet odour eliminator for your home

Best for fabric and upholstery

Febreze Fabric Refresher Pet Odour Eliminator Spray, 500ml Febreze/The Range

Made with renewable energy, Febreze is a good option for your home and comes in a recyclable spray bottle. The Febreze Fabric Refresher Pet Odour Eliminator Spray is water-based and promises instant odour elimination, as well as scent release. It locks up bad odours by binding and neutralising unpleasant smells. As for suitability, it's best for hard-to-wash fabrics like furniture, curtains or upholstery - and is safe to use on most.

Customer review: “I know this is fabric spray that's intended to remove pet smells, but it works for other smells, too. It's got a bit of a chemical smell itself, so I'd advise using it in a well-ventilated room or at least opening a window (yes, even this time of year).”

Pros

  • Stain-free application
  • Fabric-safe
  • Good for cats and dogs

Cons

  • Only suitable for fabric
PreparationSpray
Quantity500ml
SuitabilityFabric, Upholstery

Strong pet odour eliminator

Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odour Remover, 945ml Simple Soultion/Amazon

Rrp: £8.06

Price: £7.26
Alternative retailers
Petco$7.26View offer
Walmart$9.99View offer

Erase odours and stains with this enzyme-packed and Pro-Bacteria formula. In fact, the Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odour Remover is three times stronger than their regular stain and odour remover. Not only does it tackle cat stains (urine, vomit, etc.) from your fabrics and upholstery, but it can tackle any water-safe surface in your home. It’s safe and decked out with a multi-functional sprayer, you can foam, mist and stream your way to a better smell.

Customer review: “I have an 11-year-old Akita, he is 11 stone and has started to wet himself, been to the vet and apparently just old age. Found myself paying a lot of money for bedding which had to be washed daily or thrown out, the smell was horrific. Got this spray and a new vet bed just as the cold snap hit and where the smell lingered it’s totally gone. The old boy is happy and has no smell for me to worry about, if it works on a massive dog like mine, you will have no issues!”

Pros

  • Tough on removing
  • Professional strength
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Customers report it doesn't always eliminate female cat urine
PreparationSpray
Quantity945ml
SuitabilityAny Water-Safe Surface

Pet urine odour eliminator

Pressed to Fresh, Pet Urine Odour Eliminator, 240mlPressed to Fresh/Amazon

Pressed to Fresh Pet Urine Odour Eliminator uses natural ingredients to break down and destroy sources of those smells that you just don’t want in your home. A little goes a long way. So, you will need to make a solution with water in a spray bottle. But, this product is really no bother and is safe for everyone; it makes four litres of solution. To sum up, easy to use and safe to use everywhere, this orange solution is reliable and versatile. Plus, it smells great.

Customer review: “This odour eliminator is just what I have been looking for. It is made with the best ingredients very natural and thoughtfully sourced. The smell of orange is divine and it’s so good to know it’s not synthetic. I have found many uses for it. So, I’m very pleased and very happy to find such a natural effective odour eliminator for pets and general house cleaning.”

Pros

  • Safe to use anywhere
  • Natural with no harsh chemicals
  • Doesn't just mask but removes bad odour

Cons

  • Mix and dilute the solution into a spray bottle yourself
PreparationSpray Solution
Quantity240ml
SuitabilityVersatile

Plug-in pet odour eliminator

Febreze Ambi Pur Air Freshener Plug-In Diffuser for Pet OdourFebreze/Sainsburys

This Febreze Febreze 3Volution Air Freshener Starter Kit continuously removes odours and alternates between three complementary scents for noticeable freshness. In fact, it lasts up to 90 days (if used 12 hours per day at a low setting). With digitally controlled scent alternation - fresh scent travels further to fill your room with fragrance. Plus, it’s even adjustable for your preference.

Customer review: “Does what it says on the tin. Always feel like a new candle has just been lit with the changing scents, and can no longer smell my dog.”

Pros

  • All-day diffuser
  • Three different scents
  • Eliminates odour

Cons

  • Customers report it may only mask the smell
PreparationPlug-In
QuantityRefill Lasts 90 Days
SuitabilityRoom Scent

Best carpet pet odour eliminator

airpure PET Proud Carpet Freshener, Odour Eliminator, Flowers Fragrance, Whiteairpure/Amazon

You can remove the toughest pet odours with this specially formulated carpet powder that uses natural enzymes to break down bad bacteria, leaving a fresh smell. Whether it's to freshen up a pet bed, carpet or rug, this Airpure powder is reliable and 100 per cent cruelty-free – and vegan. Simply, sprinkle, leave and then vacuum. Additionally, some customers claim that it can tackle hard floors, too.

Customer Review: "This stuff is great. Liberally sprinkle, give it a few minutes then vacuum it away. A not quite trained house puppy was making two areas really smell. This killed the aroma not just on the carpet but also on the vinyl. The smell is strong, not unpleasant, kind of pine. It might not be to everyone's taste, but it beats the smell of urine. And it lasts long after being used.”

Pros

  • Easily vacuumed away
  • Vegan friendly
  • Great for pet beds

Cons

  • Not suitable on moist and loop pile carpets
PreparationPowder
Quantity350g
SuitabilityCarpet

Pet odour eliminator for hard floors

Glimmermann Products Kennel Cleaner and Odour Eliminator Pet Disinfectant Urine Deodoriser Baby Powder 1.8LGlimmermann/Amazon

Effectively destroying a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi and viruses, this Glimmermann Kennel Cleaner is a powerful odour-killing technology with a strong fragrance. With that, it has a high concentration of disinfectant to make sure any diseases are stopped in their tracks. It’s perfect if you have multiple pets. Though marketed towards kennels, there’s no reason why you can’t think about this deodoriser. It's suitable for all washable surfaces and hard floors.

Customer review: “Arrived early and very well packaged. I got the baby powder scent it’s honestly the nicest version of kennel cleaner I’ve ever used. I use it outside and inside it’s not overpowering it’s really fresh. My son has allergies, so I have to be careful with the scented cleaners he hasn’t been bothered by this at all. Highly recommend this to anyone with a pet it helps get rid of the whiff of our fur babies.”

Pros

  • Effectively destroys bacteria, fungi and viruses
  • Disinfectant, safe on all washable surfaces

Cons

  • You will have to dilute/mix with water – and mop
PreparationDiluting Liquid
Quantity1.8l
SuitabilityKennels

Best pet stain remover and odour eliminator

Dr. Beckmann Pet Stain and Odour RemoverDr. Beckmann/Amazon
Price: £12.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$12.45View offer

The ultimate solution for pet messes with its two-in-one stain-removing and odour-eliminating formula, Dr. Beckmann Pet Stain and Odour Remover is specially formulated to safely lift stains left behind by your furry friend from carpets, upholstery and more while leaving behind a fresh, clean scent. The easy-to-use applicator brush penetrates the fast-acting oxy-powered solution deep into the fibres to neutralise even the strongest odours, such as cat urine.

Customer review: "Always make sure to have some of this in the cupboard as it is by far the best carpet cleaner we have found at a great price too! We have two iggys, one of which is getting on a bit now so accidents happen from time to time but this always gets the carpets looking great again. Like the fact that it comes with the brush as it cleans deeper into the carpet and also leaves it fluffed up and not flat!
Our oldest iggy recently had to go to the emergency vets after being sick and having the runs EVERYWHERE and he decided the best place was upstairs where we have carpets 😹 but this stuff did a sterling job of making them look great again and got rid of any smells to boot! Definitely something any pet owner with carpets should have in just in case!"

Pros

  • Great for homes with carpets and upholstery
  • Works its magic within three minutes

Cons

  • Some customers have reported issues with the brush head/bottle being a bit leaky
PreparationOxy-powered shampoo liquid
Quantity650ml
SuitabilityCarpet and upholstery

Verdict: What is the best pet odour eliminator?

The best pet odour eliminator is the Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odour Remover.

An all-rounder, this spray is tough on stains and odour. Not only that, but it’s safe on most surfaces and for your family. It has great reviews and customers report it is really effective.

FAQs

Are there any natural odour eliminators?

If you want to go down a natural route for getting rid of smelly pet odours, why not take a look at our tips below?
Citrus
Citrus has been known to clear the air of disagreeable odours.
Whether leaving cut-open lemons in an inconspicuous spot or burning a fragrant orange oil, you’ll find that the odours may lift. Plus, you’ll have a lush citrusy aroma to contend with. Bliss.
Need some heavy-duty urine help? We recommend the Pressed to Fresh, Pet Urine Odour Eliminator. The strong, orange essential oil is a great deterrent for your furry friend's accidents.
Baking Soda
Some experts recommend sprinkling the affected area liberally with baking soda. 
You need to leave the baking soda in place for several hours and then vacuum it up. Hopefully, this will take the foul smell away. However, if you have a tough scent – like pet urine or vomit, you may need to use a combination of an enzyme spray and a carpet cleaner to get it all out.

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she’s not barking about dog supplements, she’s online devouring cat content.

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