Let’s face it, pet parents, our fur babies can be real stinkers sometimes. They can’t help it! They were just born that way. However, we can help it by using odor eliminators to either freshen up your pet’s pelt or to rid yourself of the smelly reminders of the messes they leave behind. But, with so many options to choose from, you might wonder whether you should go with a natural or chemical odor eliminator.
I know what you’re thinking – of course, this is a blog for Nature Pet Store, what else would we say other than “natural is best”? However, even if our conclusion seems obvious, it’s worth examining exactly why we feel that way while also acknowledging the reasons why some may still choose to use chemical odor eliminators.
Let’s look into it!
Why People Choose Chemical Odor Eliminators
There are a few reasons why some make a conscious decision to use chemical odor eliminators - some rooted in myth, others in fact.
Objectively speaking, most chemical odor eliminators are cheaper. With the rising cost of living for many of us, it’s understandable that this might be a major consideration for some.
A lot of the big chemical brands have a lot of brand recognition as they’ve been on the market for decades. Oftentimes, many people gravitate towards the familiar and have a lot of trust in established names.
There is also the perception that chemical odor eliminators are stronger, more effective, and faster acting. However, this is not always the case. Some conflate the longer-lasting scents of some chemical odor eliminators with the efficacy of product as well.
Why You Should Choose Natural Odor Eliminators
As you might expect, chemical odor eliminators aren’t the safest options. Many of them include toxic ingredients that can irritate your pet’s airways or cause respiratory issues when breathed in. They can settle on floors or leave residues that your four-legged companions may walk through or roll around in which can lead to skin irritation. If they get on their fur, then they may ingest the chemicals when they lick themselves which could lead to vomiting or diarrhea.
What makes things more difficult is that only 10% of their ingredients are usually disclosed to the public. This is because fragrances fall under U.S. trade secret law so companies do not have to list all of them on their label, making it difficult to know just how dangerous they are.
Natural odor removers don’t contain any of the common chemicals that have these potentially adverse effects like benzene, toluene, phenols, phthalates, chlorine, ammonia, and glycol ethers. Many chemical-based odor eliminators also release pollutants into the air and water that can harm the environment. This makes natural odor eliminators a safe option not only for your and your furballs, but for the planet as well.
How to Choose the Best Natural Odor Removers for Pets
Not all natural ingredients are necessarily safe for your fur babies. For example, pyrethrin naturally occurs in chrysanthemum flowers and is often considered an organic insecticide and used as a natural flea product but is slightly toxic in cats. Certain essential oils can also cause irritation to your pet’s skin or cause digestive upset, neurologic problems or worse when ingested in high concentrations. It’s important to understand each of the ingredients you find listed on a natural odor eliminator’s label to be sure they are nontoxic and safe for your fluffy friends.
Toxins aside, some scents are irritants to your furball’s sensitive nose. Keep in mind that a dog’s sense of smell is believed to be up to 10 million times as sensitive as their pet parents’ while a cat’s sense of smell is 14 times stronger than ours. Scents that seem potent to us can be completely overwhelming for them. While this one isn’t as cut and dry as cats and dogs can have their preferences just like we do, if you notice yours react negatively to a scent, it’s best to discontinue its use.
When it comes to deodorizing your dog, Arrowleaf Pet Outdoor Spray is a great choice! Not only does this natural odor eliminator keep your pup smelling fresh, it leaves them looking and feeling great too, thanks to the glycerin and neem leaf moisturizing their coat and keeping it shiny and healthy. It does contain a few essential oils, which makes it unsuitable for cats, but it’s perfectly safe for dogs. The team at Arrowleaf Pet have made sure the concentrations do not meet levels that could be considered dangerous for your canine companions.
Another great option is Paxton Industries Odorgon, a non-toxic, fragrance-free, biodegradable pet odor eliminator! Whether it’s your pet or the mess they leave behind, this non-staining, non-irritating, water-based spray captures and converts malodor molecules while leaving pleasant scents unaffected. Since it has no scent of its own it won’t irritate your cat’s or dog’s nose and it’s completely safe for pets of all kinds. You can use it to neutralize the smell of urine stains, feces, and litter boxes, or even places your furry friend frequents, like bedding or the inside of your vehicle.
If you’re looking for products that actually clean up any biological mess and spills your fur babies might leave behind, look for enzyme cleaners that break down soils, stains and malodors into smaller, soluble particles which then become food for the bacteria present in them. They are non-toxic and biodegradable which make them safer choices and environmentally friendly to boot!
For more information on cleaning pet stains, here’s an article on how to remove pet odors and stains.
So, why not give natural a try and see the difference for yourself?
With Nature Pet Store, a fresher home is just a click away!
Remember, when it comes to pet odor eliminators, natural is the safest choice and the most rewarding one for you and your pet.
