How to Get Pet Urine Smells out of the Backyard

Has your backyard developed an unpleasant smell? It could be that pet urine has taken its toll. Even though you might think that all of the urine would get washed away, or that the smell wouldn’t penetrate the outdoor air, there are many places where urine smells can remain and become incredibly annoying and unpleasant, so how do you get rid of them?

Yard smells like dog pee – The causes:

If your pet tends to go in the same area you might get a build-up of urine, and if there is concrete or other porous material then it might be absorbing the urine and causing it to smell even more. Nasty. In the summer months when it doesn’t tend to get washed away this may be especially bad.

Getting rid of Pet Urine Smell in the Backyard

So, let’s have a look into the methods you can use to actually get rid of the smell rather than just mask it. Ensure your guests still want to visit and spend time in your yard.

Install Artificial Turf

Artificial turf can have excellent drainage which means that the pee smells get washed away. When it rains, the artificial turf can be the perfect solution, as it lets the water straight through and allows the urine to go back into the ground, dissipating and avoiding causing unwanted odors.

Use Your Garden Hose

The first thing you should try is using your garden hose to rinse the urine and wash as much of it away as possible. Generally, this will do a really good job of getting rid of the smells and help to clear any buildups that could be causing the odor. Find the area you want to target and sprinkle with a hose to try and wash away the smells on the yard.

Vinegar for pet urine odor removal

These sorts of tips are all about neutralizing the acidity of the urine. Pets’ urine can smell really bad because of this acidity and you can improve this greatly by using a little vinegar mixed with water, spraying it on the area, and then rinsing it away.

Use a citrus solution

Citrus does the same job of neutralizing the smells but with the bonus of not being such an unpleasant smell in itself. It is much nicer to have the scent of fresh lemon than some of the alternatives like vinegar. Water it down and apply to the areas, but be careful not to use too much as this can be bad for organic life, too.

Sprinkle Baking Soda on The Spots

Baking soda…is there anything it can’t do? When it comes to cleaning products, this is a “hack” that has been recommended in blogs for many years. Baking soda actually has some incredible cleaning properties and you can sprinkle a little in the area in the hope it absorbs and neutralizes the offending urine.

Use Enzymatic Cleaning Products

With the effect of both neutralizing the smell and cleaning the bacteria that it can leave behind, enzymatic cleaning products have become really popular among pet owners. This is usually the sort of thing you would use if your dog or cat has an accident in the house and you want to get rid of the smell after it soaks into a carpet, but these products can be good for concrete and other surfaces in the yard where pee might have caused a nasty smell. Don’t forget that both cats and dogs have the potential to urinate up against items that are in your yard so it isn’t about cleaning the grassy areas, it could be about cleaning your garden furniture.

Turn Your Soil

This is the hardest work out of all of the options, but it is very effective if you’ve got areas built up within the soil where the urine smell has become overwhelming. 

Turning the soil is about getting a shovel or a fork and disturbing the soil to release different nutrients and encourage it to naturally degrade. This will help to take away the urine smells, especially if you combine it with the water hose method of spraying the affected area.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does male dog urine smell worse than female?

Interestingly, many people believe that male dog urine smells stronger than female dog urine, but there’s no definitive scientific evidence to back this up. The diet, hydration levels, and overall health of the dog are more likely to influence the odor of the urine. Both male and female dog urine contains ammonia, which is the primary cause of the strong smell.

How to remove dog urine from wood deck?

Removing dog urine from a wood deck can be challenging, but it’s doable. One effective method is to use a mixture of white vinegar and water. Spray the solution generously on the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse it off with water. This helps to neutralize the ammonia in the urine and minimize long-term staining and odor.

Why does my dog’s pee smell like skunk?

If your dog’s urine smells like skunk, it’s essential to first rule out any medical issues by consulting a veterinarian. Sometimes, strong or unusual urine odors can be a sign of urinary tract infections or other health conditions. If your vet gives the all-clear, the smell could be related to your dog’s diet or something they’ve ingested.

What neutralizes dog urine?

Neutralizing dog urine involves combating the strong ammonia scent it contains. Natural acidic solutions like white vinegar mixed with water can be effective. Enzymatic cleaners are also a popular choice, as they break down the urine at a molecular level, eliminating both stains and odors. For outdoor areas, turning the soil and rinsing with a garden hose can also help neutralize urine smells.

By Jennifer Williams

Jennifer Williams is a PR & Communications specialist working with Festivalturf.com to create content that would help its customers understand the company’s mission and products. Jennifer is a DIY enthusiast who settled in Las Vegas with her 2 dogs. In her free time, you can find her working out in a gym, reading a book, or browsing Reddit’s /aww subreddit for cute pet photos.