The Easy Way to Remove Pet Urine

With chilly temperatures outside, it’s likely your pet is spending a little more time indoors at the moment.

There is a good chance you’re probably encountering more of their “accidents” too.

Unfortunately, pet urine, and that signature smell, are notoriously tough to get rid of. Here are our tips for tackling pet urine.

Why is pet urine so damaging to carpets?

When urine dries it leaves bacteria and uric salts. The bacteria grows when there is moisture present (this is why we smell the urine most on humid or wet days) and gives off an "off gas" which is the terrible urine smell that many pet owners are familiar with.

It can depend on what the animal has eaten but urine left on the carpet for a long time may oxidise the carpet dye and create a permanent stain.

How to get fresh pet urine out of carpet

There are a few things to do here but most important? You need to act fast to ensure the stain and the odour are effectively treated – they are much easier to treat when fresh.

1. Blot the area with a dry, preferably uncoloured towel.

2. Combine a few drops of dishwashing liquid to warm water and cleanse the affected area. Dry with an absorbent towel on the stain while standing on it to add pressure.

3. Use a safe carpet cleaning solution to ensure all traces of the urine are removed.

How to get dried pet urine stains out of carpet

Is the stain dried? Fear not. You need to follow the steps below.

1. Generously sprinkle bi-carb soda onto the stain. Let it sit for 20 minutes before vacuuming up.

2. Mix 1:2 of white vinegar and warm water and pour onto the affected area to help break down the uric salts and odour causing bacteria.

3. Use folded up large white towels to soak the water up, adding pressure as you go. You may need to do this a few times to effectively soak up what you need to.

4. Sponge with warm water and thoroughly dry the area. You may need to open a window or use a fan to ensure it has dried properly.

What to do with stubborn pet urine odours

For a more stubborn smell and stain, use an odour eating enzyme spray such as E-pet Odour Eliminator or a store-bought Enzyme based product for treating urine odours.

These products use enzymes to break down the uric salts and odour-causing bacteria. E-Pet also contains active ingredients to deter the pet from returning to the same place. We all know how much they love doing that!

How to Prevent Pet Urine Problems

In an ideal world, your beloved pet wouldn’t do its business inside in the first place. And as much as we love them, sometimes accidents are unavoidable.

• Place rugs in your pet’s high traffic areas – a rug is much easier to clean than your carpet and cheaper to replace if you need to. There are some beautiful options out there' grab one that will match your home's décor.

• Watch for the signs that your dog is about to wee, then take him/her outside, pronto! Make sure you praise them for doing the right thing!

• Take the dog outside right after meals or naps, as this is when their bladder is likely to be full. For a regularly used spot, soak it with pet urine enzyme cleaner and let it dry. An enzyme cleaner will treat odour-causing bacteria, which helps because dogs’ noses generally tell them to go where they’ve gone before. That means less repeat offences inside.

• If it is something your pet has just started doing, it might be worth taking them to the vet to rule out any medical issues.

• You could also look into additional training. Despite the saying, old dogs can be taught new tricks. More mature dogs may actually be more self disciplined than puppies and therefore easier to train. Experts actually recommend training for adult dogs; it helps keep their minds sharp.