Author Topic: Pet urine smells in carpet  (Read 2324 times)

meadow lark

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Pet urine smells in carpet
« on: February 14, 2024, 08:54:20 AM »
We have a 12 yo mini Dachshund who is an utter delight, except for his toileting habits.  We had him in diapers for a couple months but he has figured out how to take them off.  We have 1 room in the house with carpet - a large, round living room, and it has started to smell like pee.  Bad.  Spot cleaning is not working.  He belongs to our daughter and may be moving out in the next 3 years.  Or maybe not.

Options I can see, in ascending order of price.

1- rent a carpet cleaner.
2- buy a home carpet shampooer.
3- Remove carpet, replace with solid surface flooring.

I’m not sure what to do.  The carpet is very nice & less than a year old replaced before we bought the house). We’ve already spent A LOT of money on renovations this year (approaching $75K).  DW wants #1.  I want #3.  Do other people have much success on #1 with urine smells?

ChickenStash

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2024, 09:43:01 AM »
Try to find a strong enzymatic carpet cleaner - from a commercial cleaning supply house, if possible. That can break down the urine and will do about as well as can be done without tearing up the flooring. Combined with a commercial carpet cleaning service (truck mount, not the cheap rentals) and that's about the limit.

If it's really soaked into the padding or made it to the subfloor then you are pretty much screwed and will have to replace the damaged material if you want it gone.

meadow lark

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2024, 09:44:44 AM »
Okay.  I booked a carpet cleaner to come out and do their magic tomorrow.  I figure if this (hopefully the most likely to work option, short of removing the carpet) doesn’t work, I can pull up the carpet without remorse!

aloevera1

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2024, 10:46:36 AM »
I would not buy a carpet cleaner for this. Pieces inside the cleaner are made out of plastic so there is non-zero chance of them absorbing the pee over time... and starting smelling like pee.

I would probably just rent the cleaner couple of times per year (or less). It's a pretty expensive piece of machinery to ruin so let someone else have that risk.

Daley

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2024, 10:55:16 AM »
Thought to chew on, from a dispassionate financial-wise perspective on what to do bigger picture when the only option is to accommodate the loved ones and their loved ones. The instinct to go with option three is a good one. Unless the dog was gone today, even if the carpet cleaning did work, it's still at best a temporary solution that will still persist and increase the odds of further urine damage to sub-flooring and yadda yadda long term.

The dog's not going anywhere anytime soon it sounds like, so trying to salvage the carpet no matter how new seems like a losing proposition for what has effectively become a room-sized absorbent elderly dog diaper. You've had the carpet less than a year, and despite two months of successful diaper usage before the cagey little scamp worked out an escape? You're already having to resort to professional cleaning for the smell, which although cheaper than new flooring, still isn't cheap, and will be harder to have succeed every time you have to have it done (if it even succeeds the first time), which is already on track for needing to be done at least once a year or more over the next three years with building layers of funk between cleanings that will only compile until you go nose-blind or reach your tolerance level, whichever comes first.

If you're able bodied and capable? Cut your losses and write off the carpet now. Interlocking, water-resistant, cheap LVP flooring might be the superior, cheaper option long term, and will give you access to use enzyme cleaners on the subflooring now before it gets too bad/too much long term, and gives you an additional opportunity to put down a plastic barrier underneath as well. You could probably do it for as little as about $2.50/sqft., and save any good flooring down the road for a time when maintaining good flooring will be... less challenging.

The things we do for pets, sometimes.

Just my corroded two cents worth. Take it for what it is.

aloevera1

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2024, 11:03:51 AM »
Thought to chew on, from a dispassionate financial-wise perspective on what to do bigger picture when the only option is to accommodate the loved ones and their loved ones. The instinct to go with option three is a good one. Unless the dog was gone today, even if the carpet cleaning did work, it's still at best a temporary solution that will still persist and increase the odds of further urine damage to sub-flooring and yadda yadda long term.

The dog's not going anywhere anytime soon it sounds like, so trying to salvage the carpet no matter how new seems like a losing proposition for what has effectively become a room-sized absorbent elderly dog diaper. You've had the carpet less than a year, and despite two months of successful diaper usage before the cagey little scamp worked out an escape? You're already having to resort to professional cleaning for the smell, which although cheaper than new flooring, still isn't cheap, and will be harder to have succeed every time you have to have it done (if it even succeeds the first time), which is already on track for needing to be done at least once a year or more over the next three years with building layers of funk between cleanings that will only compile until you go nose-blind or reach your tolerance level, whichever comes first.

If you're able bodied and capable? Cut your losses and write off the carpet now. Interlocking, water-resistant, cheap LVP flooring might be the superior, cheaper option long term, and will give you access to use enzyme cleaners on the subflooring now before it gets too bad/too much long term, and gives you an additional opportunity to put down a plastic barrier underneath as well. You could probably do it for as little as about $2.50/sqft., and save any good flooring down the road for a time when maintaining good flooring will be... less challenging.

The things we do for pets, sometimes.

Just my corroded two cents worth. Take it for what it is.

The dog is 12 years old tho.. I am not sure about the average lifespan of dashhounds but it's a pretty advanced age. I think cleaning vs removing the carpet debate should also consider that.

LongtimeLurker

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2024, 12:02:26 PM »
Hi, so there are a few things to consider. First, I grew up in a house with 6 dogs, and my parents have at least 5 that I'm aware of(they hide the true number and will lie to me about it to avoid arguments), so I am aware of this dilemna and have seen all three options in action. I also had a cat for several years that seemed to enjoy peeing on the floor, despite every attempt to correct this action.

My advice is to replace the carpet with wood or tile. Then maybe add a washable rug to your living room floor. Something you can throw in the washing machine every saturday. 12 is fairly old, but for smaller dogs especially, it could easily be five or more years. You don't want a pee smelling house for that long. You will stop noticing the smell until you are out of town for a week, then come home and get a big whiff as you open the front door.

If you absolutely hate the idea of replacing the carpet, or cannot afford it, etc... then the best idea is to confine the dog in an area without carpet unless someone is home. For an old dachsund, a baby gate would probably work just fine. Its usually easier to put the gate around the area you dont want the dog to go, rather than confine the poor doggie to a small space for 8 hours. Do you have a dog door? Is your yard fenced? Is this a behavioral issue? Is there anyway to correct the problem without traumatizing the animal?

ChickenStash

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2024, 12:15:06 PM »
If possible, try to identify ahead of time the main areas where the dog made a mess so they can hit those areas harder - sniff test the carpet, if needed. :) As a carpet cleaner/janitor in a previous life, we sometimes get a little nose-blind with all the "stuff" that gets dealt with every day and some guidance from the customer is appreciated.

Metalcat

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2024, 12:37:34 PM »
You cannot clean pee out of a carpet unless the underlay is specifically designed not to absorb pee.

Get rid of the carpet, either replace it with hard flooring or with carpet designed to withstand pee, which even then, is not easy to clean, but I did choose this option for the stairs at my last condo.

former player

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2024, 01:36:01 PM »
If you can't keep the dog out of the living room you need to replace the carpet with something waterproof like lino, vinyl flooring or the sort of tile and grout suitable for wetrooms.  Don't go with hardwood, it's not waterproof.

If the dog hasn't been neutered then that might solve the problem but realistically 12 is probably too old for neutering.

You need to be clear that the next dog (there is always a next dog) is not welcome in your house unless neutered and thoroughly well house-trained.  Because someone who lets one dog do this will let all the others do it too.

Metalcat

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2024, 01:46:54 PM »
If you can't keep the dog out of the living room you need to replace the carpet with something waterproof like lino, vinyl flooring or the sort of tile and grout suitable for wetrooms.  Don't go with hardwood, it's not waterproof.

If the dog hasn't been neutered then that might solve the problem but realistically 12 is probably too old for neutering.

You need to be clear that the next dog (there is always a next dog) is not welcome in your house unless neutered and thoroughly well house-trained.  Because someone who lets one dog do this will let all the others do it too.

Yeah, I've neutered enough older rescue dogs to learn the hard way that it doesn't solve the problem.

This is *especially* true for dachshunds, who are among the most stubborn dogs to try and break of this behaviour.

And yes, hardwood is the worst option because it's the most expensive and urine will soak in and destroy it.

Sibley

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2024, 04:32:19 PM »
Realistically, you will be replacing the carpet. The only question is if you're doing it now, or after the dog dies/moves out. If you wait, then you'll have a greater variety of options in replacement because you won't need to accommodate peeing dog. And, when you do pull it out, good idea to also replace the underneath or seal it with something that will actually seal the odor.

And don't put in wood flooring, that will also be ruined by pee.

Source: been there, done that.

deborah

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #12 on: February 14, 2024, 05:33:22 PM »
Carpet places around here can sell room sized pieces of carpet for considerably less than getting a carpet laid (they finish them around the edge). If you went for the urineproof flooring, and bought a room sized piece of carpet, would that be at a reasonable cost, that you could replace regularly?

meadow lark

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2024, 07:21:21 PM »
Excellent suggestions.  I think it’s likely he’ll live 5 more years or so.  I suspect Daughter will move out (with dog) in maybe 3 years.  We may stay in this house the rest of our lives, or move in a couple years.

We will consider putting down LVP.  The biggest issue with that is the room is a circle.  So every piece that touches the perimeter will be a special curved cut.  Years ago we laid Saltillo tile in an octagon, and every perimeter piece was a special angle cut and I’m pretty sure I swore never again.

  Our whole house would be improved with new flooring, but that will be an insane job, especially the hallway which is a literal ring around the living room.  We call it our walking track and chase our grandson around it, over and over again.

We got it cleaned today $150.  Hope it helps.

ETA - he’s neutered.  He’s had issues peeing inside his whole life, he’s just never lived with us before a couple years ago, and we had LVP floors in our last house so we just cleaned it up.  We don’t have a dog door, but he gets put out probably 15 times a day!  I’m retired (my wife is semiretired and WFH mostly) so I’m home a lot and tend to be physically restless, so I’m always getting up to put him out or to walk in the backyard.  It’s very rare that he is ever left home more than 4 hours at a time.

Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a lot of low hanging fruit.  I’m considering baby gates - the living room has 3 50” doorways going into it.  But they need to be something the 3 yo can handle by himself, and not cost much.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2024, 07:37:51 PM by meadow lark »

Rob_bob

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #14 on: February 16, 2024, 11:59:55 AM »
I don't have personal experience but have heard this works for pet urine.

https://www.odorxit.com/eliminator

GuitarStv

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #15 on: February 16, 2024, 12:12:14 PM »
I've had dogs most of my life, and dealt with pee on carpets many times.  Enzymatic cleaner works about as well as anything we've tried . . . if you are always on top of it.  You need to be cleaning the pee while it's still wet, and to a very thorough job of it every time.  If you don't, or if (god forbid) you ever let the pee mostly dry on the carpet . . . it's pretty much toast.  Will always have a pee smell when temperatures and humidity rise.

Another approach is to figure out where he likes to pee, set down a waterproof tarp (or bunch of plastic garbage bags), and then a washable throw rug overtop.  Then you can pop the rug in the wash every time the accident happens.  You'll still end up killing the throw rug and occasionally dealing with pee smells, but overall cleanup is way easier than replacing the whole carpet.

Metalcat

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #16 on: February 16, 2024, 12:28:25 PM »
I've had dogs most of my life, and dealt with pee on carpets many times.  Enzymatic cleaner works about as well as anything we've tried . . . if you are always on top of it.  You need to be cleaning the pee while it's still wet, and to a very thorough job of it every time.  If you don't, or if (god forbid) you ever let the pee mostly dry on the carpet . . . it's pretty much toast.  Will always have a pee smell when temperatures and humidity rise.

Another approach is to figure out where he likes to pee, set down a waterproof tarp (or bunch of plastic garbage bags), and then a washable throw rug overtop.  Then you can pop the rug in the wash every time the accident happens.  You'll still end up killing the throw rug and occasionally dealing with pee smells, but overall cleanup is way easier than replacing the whole carpet.

Washable pee pads also exist

GuitarStv

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #17 on: February 16, 2024, 01:00:51 PM »
I've had dogs most of my life, and dealt with pee on carpets many times.  Enzymatic cleaner works about as well as anything we've tried . . . if you are always on top of it.  You need to be cleaning the pee while it's still wet, and to a very thorough job of it every time.  If you don't, or if (god forbid) you ever let the pee mostly dry on the carpet . . . it's pretty much toast.  Will always have a pee smell when temperatures and humidity rise.

Another approach is to figure out where he likes to pee, set down a waterproof tarp (or bunch of plastic garbage bags), and then a washable throw rug overtop.  Then you can pop the rug in the wash every time the accident happens.  You'll still end up killing the throw rug and occasionally dealing with pee smells, but overall cleanup is way easier than replacing the whole carpet.

Washable pee pads also exist

Oh, yeah . . . that's probably a better idea than the washable carpet.

mm1970

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #18 on: February 16, 2024, 02:25:07 PM »
also, if you want to give the diapers another try, they actually make pet suspenders to keep them on.  ASK ME HOW I KNOW.

MayDay

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #19 on: February 18, 2024, 12:01:59 PM »
Did the professional cleaning remove the smell?


Cranky

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #20 on: April 06, 2025, 04:13:34 PM »
Honestly, take at the carpet. Carpeting will never be clean and it’s a bad combo with pets.

The first thing I did in this house was have the carpet ripped up and while I said “oh, we’ve got cats” I’d be the first one to drop a mug of coffee.

Metalcat

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Re: Pet urine smells in carpet
« Reply #21 on: April 06, 2025, 05:43:56 PM »
Honestly, take at the carpet. Carpeting will never be clean and it’s a bad combo with pets.

The first thing I did in this house was have the carpet ripped up and while I said “oh, we’ve got cats” I’d be the first one to drop a mug of coffee.

It's a necropost

 

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