Every household that has pets should invest in a good pet odor neutralizer to keep the home smelling fresh and clean and relatively free from germs that can put the health of the family and pets at risk. These special formulations of deodorizers should also be safe in themselves so that they won’t be the source of problems in the future. Unfortunately, the market can be unforgiving to pet parents who are rather clueless about the right product to get for effective and safe pet odor removal. As such our team came up with this list of the best pet odor neutralizer products to help you get started on a cleaner and fresher home while enjoying the company of your pets.

A Quick Overview of Our Favorites

Editor's PicksProduct NamePriceRating
Best OverallRocco & Roxie Supply Co. Stain & Odor EliminatorBuy on Amazon4.5
Best DisinfectantAngry Orange Super Strength Pet Odor NeutralizerBuy on Amazon4.5
Fast-ActingNature’s Miracle OXY Formula Stain and Odor RemoverBuy on Amazon4.7
Long-LastingNonScents Cat Litter Deodorizer Odor ControlBuy on Amazon4.1
Easy to UseSunny & Honey Pet Stain & Odor MiracleBuy on Amazon4.4
Most PowerfulSimple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor RemoverBuy on Amazon4.4
All NaturalTriNova Green Standard Pet Stain & Odor RemoverBuy on Amazon4.5
All PurposeMateson The Original Bad Air Sponge Odor NeutralantBuy on Amazon4.3
Advanced Technology

Bissell Woolite Pet Stain & Odor RemoverBuy on Amazon4.6
*Ratings are from Amazon, Chewy, and PetSmart at the time of publication and can change

The 10 Top Rated Pet Odor Neutralizers

1 Best Overall: Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Stain & Odor Eliminator

Best Overall: Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Stain & Odor Eliminator
Key features:
  • Advanced bio-enzymatic formula
  • Professional-strength, kid- and pet- safe formulation
  • Multipurpose odor and stain remover
  • CRI-certified carpet-safe
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee

Pet parents love the Rocco & Roxie because of its professional-strength formulation and its use of a unique bio-enzymatic system that gets rid of not only pet odors but also stubborn pet stains across a variety of surfaces. It also has the seal of approval from the Carpet and Rug Institute making it the best carpet cleaner for dog urine while also besting others when it comes to being the best pet odor neutralizer.

While it may cost you slightly more than other products on a per-ounce basis, you can always count on the Rocco & Roxie’s ability to eliminate nasty dog urine smell as well as the odors of other bodily fluids. The secret is in the enzyme systems that effectively break down the molecular bonds of both stain and odor molecules. And while Rocco & Roxie is a small family-run business, one can take comfort in the fact that they do care both for your pet and your family.

What others say about it:
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Love this product!!!!! Have tried several different pet stain/odor eliminators and this is BY FAR my favorite. Works 100x better than my previous one (Nature’s Miracle), smells SO good, breaks down the stain AND the smell, works on numerous surfaces including carpet, upholstery, concrete, wood, tile, grout, linoleum, leather, clothing, bedding AND mattresses!! Destroys urine, as well as vomit and feces!! Extremely versatile product, and can’t recommend enough!!!!

Originally posted on Chewy.com

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2 Best Disinfectant: Angry Orange Super Strength Pet Odor Neutralizer

Best Disinfectant: Angry Orange Super Strength Pet Odor Neutralizer
Key features:
  • Orange peel extract-based formula
  • Industrial strength formulation
  • Multipurpose, non-toxic, biodegradable
  • Meets FDA-GRAS standards
  • Money-back guarantee

Utilizing one of the most common homemade remedies as pet odor eliminator, Angry Orange is a great alternative to enzymatic systems especially for those who prefer the sweet and tangy, citrusy scent of orange peels. While it doesn’t really break the chemical bonds of pet stains and odors the citrusy scent, nevertheless, neutralizes the strong odor emanating from such messes. Additionally, the acidic nature of orange peel helps give it an amazing antimicrobial property, making it a good alternative to commercial disinfectants and sanitizers. What’s more, a single 8-ounce bottle can already make a full gallon, making it a more practical solution to the ongoing search for the best pet odor eliminator.

What others say about it:
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It eliminates the odor quickly and pleasantly. I love being able to work with a smaller bottle with the flexibility of mixing a little stronger mix if need be. I found that I did not need to though.

Originally posted on Amazon.com

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3 Fast-Acting: Nature’s Miracle OXY Formula Stain And Odor Remover

Fast-Acting: Nature’s Miracle OXY Formula Stain And Odor Remover
Key features:
  • Dual-action, fast-acting, super-oxygenated solution
  • Fresh and clean orange scent
  • Multipurpose formulation
  • Money-back guarantee

The label reads “oxygen concentrate”, but everyone knows that oxygen exists mostly as gaseous molecule. The only way one can mix oxygen into a solution is by mixing it with a carrier molecule. We can only guess that Nature’s Miracle OXY pet odor eliminator utilizes the disinfectant and antimicrobial properties of hydrogen peroxide or H2O2. This is what gives the solution its remarkable stain and odor removing properties, not to mention its antimicrobial action as well.

In addition to the ‘oxygen concentrate’, OXY also features a sweet and fruity citrus scent that is delivered by the orange extract that is included in the formulation. It is this unique blend of ‘oxygen concentrate’ and orange disinfectant that makes the OXY a preferred solution by many pet parents. It’s a wise choice among budget-conscious pet parents, too.

What others say about it:
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I tried this after using the regular Nature’s Miracle. If you’ve used the regular, you know it’s very “soapy” and leaves soap on your carpet unless you rinse it with a shampoo machine. This is citrus, kills odor like magic and has way less residue. Much better cleaner! Smells wonderful!

Originally posted on Chewy.com

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4 Long-Lasting: NonScents Cat Litter Deodorizer Odor Control

Long-Lasting: NonScents Cat Litter Deodorizer Odor Control
Key features:
  • Zeolite odor elimination technology
  • Specifically designed for cat litter odor neutralization
  • Long-lasting, fragrance-free formulation
  • Money-back guarantee

Pet parents of kitties will love the pet odor removal properties of NonScents’ formulation. This pet odor neutralizer is designed specifically to work with fine and smaller grained cat litter as the same brand actually has a different product for larger-grained litter. However, it does make for a good case of an all-purpose eliminator or cat and dog urine smell. The current notion is that if NonScents can effectively draw out odor molecules from cat litter, then it should also be effective in the neutralization of other types of pet messes.

It uses zeolite in its formulation, a blend of minerals that are classified as hydrated alumino-silicates of certain chemicals like calcium, sodium, barium, and potassium. Zeolite is especially regarded as a cation exchanger, allowing positive-charged molecules to be exchanged for the negatively-charged particles in pet odors and stains. It’s clearly a unique kind of odor neutralization, perhaps making NonScents the best pet odor neutralizer in town.

What others say about it:
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I have three cats and no litter works well to keep the smell away. I have tried every single type and I even have two litter robots. This stuff is absolutely amazing! 10/10 will continue to buy again.

Originally posted on Chewy.com

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5 Easy To Use: Sunny & Honey Pet Stain & Odor Miracle

Easy To Use: Sunny & Honey Pet Stain & Odor Miracle
Key features:
  • Multipurpose odor neutralizer and stain remover
  • Advanced bio-enzymatic formulation
  • CRI-certified carpet-, pet-, and kid- safe formulation
  • 10% proceeds to sheltered animals
  • 60-day money-back guarantee

It prides itself as the top-rated bio-enzymatic cleaner in the country. Sunny & Honey’s Pet Stain & Odor Miracle features an enzymatic formulation that helps break the molecular bonds of dog urine smell and stain molecules to give pet parents a home that smells clean and fresh. It may also be the best carpet cleaner for dog urine since it has certification from the Carpet and Rug Institute.

However, what pet parents love about the Stain and Odor Miracle is that 10 percent of the proceeds are channeled to animal shelters and other organizations that are involved in the care and management of animals. It’s one’s way of helping animals and pets that may not have a home they can call their own.

What others say about it:
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When my cute little maltipoo has the occasional accident (always on the rug)
we use Pet stain and odor miracle and it is a miracle. It cleans right up and leaves no odor. That’s why we have it on automatic shipment.

Originally posted on Amazon.com

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6 Most Powerful: Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover

Most Powerful: Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover
Key features:
  • Unique blend of natural enzymes and non-pathogenic bacteria
  • 3-in-1 sprayer design: stream, mist, and foam
  • Multipurpose odor neutralization capability
  • Professional-strength, multi-surface application formulation

The good thing about the pet odor removal system of Simple Solution is that its spray nozzle is designed to do 3 different actions – stream, foam, and mist – eliminating the need for additional tools to help remove pet stains of various sources. The formulation also boasts of a special blend of non-pathogenic bacteria and natural enzymes which serves to break molecular bonds while also negating the harmful effects of pathogenic bacteria in the bodily fluids such as blood, vomitus, and many more.

It comes both in scented and non-scented formulations so pet parents can have a choice. Additionally, refill packs are available so one doesn’t need to discard the spray bottle of Simple Solution. It enjoys the positive experiences of pet parents, making it as one of the best pet odor eliminator products in the market.

What others say about it:
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This stuff cleaned the urine smell out of a rug that I had shampoo’d twice and tried every trick in the book. This was the only thing that completely got rid of it, and didn’t stain or bleach the rug! I also use this on my couch cushions when they get a little stinky

Originally posted on Chewy.com

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7 All Natural: TriNova Green Standard Pet Stain & Odor Remover

All Natural: TriNova Green Standard Pet Stain & Odor Remover
Key features:
  • Advanced bio-enzymatic formula
  • All-natural, pet-safe, non-toxic formulation
  • Contains natural bacteria, digestive enzymes, bamboo extracts, and mint essential oil
  • Professional strength, kid-safe formulation

Incorporating a special blend of digestive enzymes, non-pathogenic bacteria, mint essential oil, and bamboo extract, the TriNova pet odor eliminator and stain remover is a worthy choice if you can overlook its rather hefty price tag. But, since TriNova works on all surfaces and comes with an all-natural formulation, it is not surprising to see that the pet odor neutralizer commands a respectable following among avid pet parents. The special formulation is safe that even if kids were to play on surfaces sprayed with the TriNova, it won’t bring harm to children. Best of all, one can effectively control the nasty smell left by our beloved pets while also erasing traces of pet stains from surfaces.

What others say about it:
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I’m very glad I purchased this item! I was looking for some natural stain removal options for our recently adopted dog and was drawn to this product based on other reviews. We’ve had a handful of urine accidents, which this helped clean up quickly and efficiently. I also had an incident with my dog’s nail being scraped and bleeding on a hoodie, which I was also able to quickly remove!

Originally posted on Cewy.com

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8 All Purpose: Mateson The Original Bad Air Sponge Odor Neutralant

All Purpose: Mateson The Original Bad Air Sponge Odor Neutralant
Key features:
  • Nonflammable and non-toxic gel formulation
  • Multipurpose odor neutralizer
  • Deodorizing coverage: 400 square feet per pound
  • Preferred product by disaster restoration professionals

Most of the products that are geared for addressing nasty cat and dog urine smell come in either spray formulations or as desiccants. Mateson’s Bad Air Sponge comes in a gel form that is enclosed in a covered bucket. One only needs to open the lid and let the Bad Air Sponge do its thing. It’s like bamboo charcoal desiccants only that this is gel. Unfortunately, it is not fully understood just what comprises the gel.

Nevertheless, it comes with the most efficient pet odor removal mechanism since a single pound of Bad Air Sponge is enough to remove nasty odors and smells from an area of about 400 square feet. And since a bucket of the Bad Air Sponge contains about 14 ounces of the gel, it should be enough to cover 350 square feet of floor space. It doesn’t do any good on pet stains, though.

What others say about it:
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2 cats, no cross drafts. Early days but this stuff completely ended the smell from the litter boxes. No grating over-smell at all. I was shocked.

Originally posted on Amazon.com

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9 Advanced Technology: Bissell Woolite Pet Stain & Odor Remover

Advanced Technology: Bissell Woolite Pet Stain & Odor Remover
Key features:
  • Handy spray bottle for easy application
  • Removes stains on carpets
  • Effectively removes urine and feces odors
  • Leaves a clean and fresh fragrance in the home
  • Deters pets from soiling carpet

A firm favorite with pet parents, the Bissell Woolite Pet Stain & Odor Remover offers a triple-action cleaning system. It effectively removes both stains and odors and thanks to the pherobloc technology, it puts your pets off soiling the carpet in the future.

After cleaning, it leaves a fresh scent that is long lasting. This odor neutralizer is effective on all pet odors including those caused by feces, urine and vomit. You can use it on most carpets and upholstery that are safe to clean with water-based cleaners.

What others say about it:
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Best product I’ve found over 25 yrs of cat issues. Takes care of cleaning up cat vomit/urine on rugs, furniture and other areas. Easy to use, cost effective must have for pet owners.

Originally posted on Amazon.com

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Best Pet Odor Neutralizer: Buying Guide & FAQ

What to Consider When Buying Pet Odor Neutralizer

There are many pet odor neutralizer products in the market to choose from. These can range from commercial- and industrial- grade odor eliminators to domestic-strength formulations. Some come with specific scents while others are unscented. Your choice of the best pet odor neutralizer actually depends on a few factors.

Active ingredients

As much as possible choose a pet odor eliminator that uses all-natural ingredients as its principal means of removing odors. These offer one of the safest yet equally effective ways of removing nasty odors.

Many of these products come with bioactive enzyme systems that hasten the speed of degradation of the molecular bonds of odor molecules. This allows the odor to be managed in a more efficient manner. It is similar to the best carpet cleaner for dog urine that features enzyme systems in cleaning up carpets after a pet’s mess.

Other products may come with natural plant botanicals like oranges and citrus that serves to neutralize odors. The same is true with desiccants that work like sponges, absorbing malodorous molecules from wreaking havoc in your home.

The important thing is that the product should not contain anything that can put your dog or your family at risk for health problems.

Safety

In line with natural ingredients forming the core of the best pet odor eliminator it is also imperative that it is guaranteed safe not only in terms of human and pet health, but also the integrity of your carpet, upholstery, and other surfaces. Deodorizers that contain harsh chemicals may ruin your fabric materials when sprayed onto them. It is for this reason that choosing a product that is duly-certified by a reputable organization like the Carpet and Rug Institute is a sound idea.

Ease of application

Admit it or not, no one likes to toil when it comes to managing pet mess. That is why one major consideration is the ease of application of the pet odor neutralizer. Most products come in spray formulations, allowing them to be easily spritzed onto almost any surface. Some may require dissolving in a bucket of water to make the desired solution strength. Others may come as handy bags of desiccants. It’s basically up to you to choose which of these you think is a lot easier to perform.

Check out our guide on Air Purifiers for Pets.

cat-sitting-next-to-window-while-owner-is-working-on-laptop

Benefits of Using Pet Odor Neutralizer

There are many reasons why pet parents use the best pet odor eliminator. Here are some of the benefits that pet parents are now enjoying because of their decision to use only the best products.

Gets rid of nasty odors from the source

This is the inherent benefit of a good quality pet odor eliminator. Unlike air fresheners that simply emit a pleasant smell into the air so that you’ll smell the fragrance instead of the nasty odor, pet odor neutralizers work by working on the odor molecules themselves.

As we have noted above, many pet odor eliminators come with enzyme systems that eat away at the chemical bonds of odor molecules. This is how odor is effectively removed from the source. It doesn’t mask the odor; instead, it breaks the chemical bonds of the various molecules that produce the odor. Once these bonds are broken down the nasty odor naturally disappears.

The same is true with desiccants. While these products don’t necessarily destroy odor molecules, they somehow attract these molecules like magnets. Nasty pet odors are most noticeable if the source of the smell is still moist. Drying this quickly can help remove the odor as well. This is how desiccants work. They remove nasty smells by drawing out moisture at the source, helping reduce and eliminate the odor.

Some of the best pet odor neutralizer products come with a bevy of non-pathogenic bacteria. These bacteria can also engulf odor molecules which can further add to the effectiveness of the pet odor removal system. These are considered safe since the bacteria included in the formulation are of the non-pathogenic types.

Take a look at our article on Candles for Pet Odor.

Helps in minimizing colonization of harmful germs

There are products that come with so-called concentrated oxygen. These are actually solutions that contain hydrogen peroxide or some other compound that is able to cleave oxygen when exposed to a chemical reaction.

Hydrogen peroxide is composed of two atoms each of hydrogen and oxygen. When the solution is applied onto surfaces that have pet odors, an oxygen molecule is cleaved from the compound to produce oxygen and water of H2O. The freed oxygen is what oxidizes the odor molecules as well as harmful germs that are highly susceptible to the presence of oxygen in the environment.

Pet odor neutralizers that come with essential oils or plant extracts with known antimicrobial properties can also help provide for a relatively germ-free surface. At the very least, you’ll feel more comfortable in the knowledge that your surfaces are sanitized to a certain extent.

Retains the quality of delicate fabrics and surfaces
The best pet odor eliminator doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or bleaches that can damage your fabric surfaces such as upholstery, rugs, and carpets. You don’t want your carpet to have a blotchy appearance simply because the pet odor removal product you used contained harsh bleach that ‘burned’ a certain area of your carpet or any other fabric material.

The same is true with seats, floors, and even car upholstery. You want only the best product to use on these surfaces if you want to remove that nasty smell.

Read here our detailed guide on the Best Pet-Safe Floor Cleaners.

cat sitting in her box house

Our Top Pick

There were three products that earned our respect in the search for the best pet odor neutralizer: Moso, Angry Orange, and Rocco & Roxie. We found Moso to be exceptionally ideal for those who want something that is as easy as hanging or placing a pet odor neutralizer anywhere. It’s a desiccant type of odor neutralizer that works even without getting in contact with the source of the smell. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with stain removal properties.

On the other hand, Angry Orange appeals to many pet parents because of its use of all-natural orange peels. As everyone already knows, orange and other citrus fruits have many applications including odor and stain removal. Unfortunately, it really isn’t as efficient as one with an enzymatic system.

It is for this reason that the Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator is our top choice for the best pet odor neutralizer. Its enzyme system and professional-grade formulation are more than enough to eliminate nasty pet odors as well as stubborn pet stains. It’s also the best carpet cleaner for dog urine primarily because of its bioactive enzyme systems. It is reasonably-priced and works well with a variety of surfaces without causing damage.

Pet odor neutralizers come in various types and forms. Some come as sprays while others as desiccants and gels. Some feature enzyme systems while others use botanicals and other safe, natural ingredients. Whatever product you choose, you’ll definitely be more confident if you start with any of the products we’ve listed herein.

Sources:

1. Sandra Ketcham, How Do I Get Pet Odors Out of My Couch?, The Nest
2. How to Get Rid of Dog Smell Without Removing the Dog, PetMD

Frequently Asked Questions

Pet odors come from the bodily secretions that interact with bacteria, yeast, and other germs present on the dog’s skin. Urine, feces, and other bodily fluids excreted or released from pets also contain microorganisms that are already beginning to decompose. As these organisms, together with many other chemicals, interact with the air they release gaseous substances that are interpreted by the nose as nasty or very malodorous. Other molecules can interact with these compounds to make the smell worse.

Other causes of pet odors include bad breath, the presence of ear infections, gas formation or the passage of flatus, problems in the pet’s anal glands, and improper diet. Medical conditions such as yeast infections, kidney failure, diabetes, and cancer can also bring about a nasty odor.

There really is no single way to avoid pet odors just as there is no way to prevent your feces from smelling. What you can do however is to help minimize the length of time that these pet odors linger in your home so your place will still smell fresh and clean. The whole point about pet odor neutralizers is that these products will break down the odor molecules or somehow absorb them so that they will not be as noticeable.

That being said, it is imperative that you clean your pet’s mess as soon as possible since the longer it stays on a particular surface the more severe is the stench. This is because there is an increasing number of decaying bacteria and other microorganisms releasing malodorous fumes into the air. The sooner you clean up the mess, the fewer microorganisms are able to release such noxious fumes. Vigilance is, thus the key to preventing pet odors.

The key to effective pet odor removal is prompt cleanup of the mess. With that in mind, you need to absorb as much fluid as possible from the affected area. You can place several sheets of paper towels or even newspapers over the damp area. Do not rub the area since doing so will only spread the wetness to the surrounding areas. This will require a larger surface area to apply your pet odor neutralizer. The idea is for you to keep on blot-drying the area until such time that the paper towels no longer show signs of dampness. This is your key that the area is already sufficiently dry so you can apply the pet odor eliminator of your choice.

You will need to look at the coverage of the product that you are using. If you intend to use desiccants as pet odor eliminators, you need to check the effective square footage of their products. For instance, some products are good only for a measly 90 square feet while others can absorb odors in rooms as large as 350 square feet. If you’re using sprays these need to be applied only on affected areas so you clearly don’t need much, unless, of course, you’ve got multiple pets that are already turning your home into their own personal commode.

Not all pet odor neutralizers are pet-friendly or even kid-friendly. This is why it is important to choose only those products that come with all-natural ingredients so that you can be assured of exceptional pet odor neutralization while also ensuring the safety of your pets. The point is for you to steer clear of products that contain harsh chemicals that may be toxic to your pet or, worse, may be toxic to your kids, too.