It's fitting that we call the hot steamy weather of July and August the "dog days of summer". This is a time when pet hair, their skin dander, and the residue from occasional "pet accidents" begin to decompose - generating a distinct "doggie" smell. Under the right conditions, even the cleanest of homes can suffer from pet odors. There are two pet-related problems that can affect the freshness of your home. One is pet accidents - both urine and feces. The other is the accumulation of body oils. Knowing about these perfectly normal pet behaviors can make living with a pet a more joyful experience.

  Animal behaviorists will tell you that by instinct pets are concerned about good hygiene. They don't want to have accidents in their homes. When they do, it is usually because of some other factor. Perhaps the pet is sick? Maybe the pet's schedule has been interrupted by new summertime activity in the home? It is possible that the pet's exercise schedule isn't long enough - many new summertime sights and sounds to investigate - to take care of business? Maybe the pet's litter box needs to be cleaned? Or, the pet may have been traumatized. It's been recommended that the first thing to do when a pet unexplainably starts having accidents is to talk to your veterinarian.

   As far as cleanup goes, you need to blot up as much of the problem as you can. If solids are involved, gently scrape them up with a bit of cardboard. Work from the outside towards the center. Don't apply household cleaners to the site. Some of them can change the color, texture or stain resistance of the affected fibers. Some can even leave residues that serve as "accident targets," prompting your pet to have another accident in the same place. New safe-to-use enzyme products are available which do an excellent job of treating these problem areas.

  Dogs, especially, secrete oils from their fur and paw pads. Good grooming and baths keep this in check. Periodically launder your pet's bedding. If your pet has a favorite spot on the floor or in a chair, you might want to put a towel or some other launderable item there. Help your pets stay healthy, clean and happy. Your home will be fresher for it.

1. Act immediately when pet accidents occur. The longer the soil stands, the greater the chance it will seep through the carpet to the pad to the floor.

 2. Remove as much moisture as possible by blotting the spot with a clean white absorbent material like paper towels. The more moisture you remove now, the less residue has to be treated later. Using a clean white absorbent material lessens the risk of transferring dye between your cleaning material and your affected fabric. It also helps you to "see" if the stain is being successfully removed.

 3. Follow our "Spot and Stain Removal" tip in this page. Or follow the instruction on a commercially available product that's labeled  as suitable for pet stains. Be aware that some cleaning products do not remove bacteria left in the carpet. They merely "mask" the odor instead of "neutralizing" it. Always call us if you need help. We are specially trained and equipped to thoroughly clean, disinfect and deodorize pet stains.