How to get rid of dog smell in car

It’s summer, and car trips with a dog will occur much more often, which means that the very smell of a wet dog will appear. Of course, this terrible smell is not the favorite of most people. What to do if the car smells very strongly? Instead of completely eliminating car trips with your dog, try these ideas and ways to help you get rid of or prevent odor.

Get to the root of the problem

Why does the car smell like dog? This odor is caused by bacteria that thrive in humid environments. How to remove or fix this problem so that the car does not smell? Using a hair dryer is the most effective way to completely dry your dog’s coat and reduce bacterial growth. Dry it with a towel before getting into the car, and use a hair dryer when you get home.

Approach the problem wisely

Brush your dog before he gets into the water. Combing will remove excess hair that accumulates when traveling in a car. Plus, with those few strokes of the brush, your dog’s skin and coat will respond better to getting wet and dry faster. PetMD recommends using a brush that is best for your breed and gentle on your dog’s skin.

Use seat covers

What other ways are there to remove the smell? One way to easily get rid of dog smell in your car is to use a large old diaper to cover the back seat of your car. You can tie the ends to the backs of the front seats so that all the moisture and smell stays on the diaper. When you get home, just take out the diaper and wash it!

Must-haves for road trips with your dog

It would be useful to keep a small container in the trunk of the car for unforeseen incidents. Place these items in a container with a lid: two towels, baking soda, and a weak solution (3-5%) of white vinegar. Dry your dog off with one of the towels, then apply a little bit of a 50:50 mixture of vinegar and water to his coat and massage him a little more with the towel, rubbing the liquid into his skin. Be aware that vinegar can irritate the skin of some animals, so be sure to test it on a small area of ​​the dog’s skin first to check for a reaction before using. This will help kill the bacteria and the vinegar smell will dissipate after a few minutes. Drive with the windows open so the dog and seats dry faster. Finally, when you get home, sprinkle some baking soda on your seats and rugs to absorb moisture and odor, then immediately vacuum it up. Or you can leave an open box of baking soda in your car overnight to absorb the smell.

Pamper and Prevent

By bathing your dog every ten to fourteen days, you can actually prevent the buildup of natural lipids that increase dog odor. If you notice that your pet’s skin has become irritated from bathing or external irritants, use a dog shampoo made with natural ingredients and consider switching to dog food that is formulated for the health of their skin.

If all else fails, try activated charcoal

Crushed activated carbon absorbs odors well. If your car has a dark interior, leave the spilled charcoal on overnight and vacuum in the morning with a regular vacuum cleaner or a washing machine. You can put a few pieces of activated charcoal in an empty coffee can and poke a few holes in the lid so the charcoal can absorb moisture. This will help reduce the dirt from having coal in your car.

If you use these simple methods, you will be able to prevent stink and get rid of the smell of dog in the car. So go and have fun with your four-legged buddy!