A vet has urged dog owners to avoid a common cleaning mistake that could actually make the problem worse
At this time of year, many households are welcoming new puppies. However, as delightful as these small dogs can be, there is also the less pleasant task of toilet training to consider.
A traditional remedy for little accidents involves cleaning up the mess with a mixture of water and white vinegar.
However, vet Laura Londoño has warned that this old wives’ solution can actually do more harm than good. She explains that, far from solving the problem, it encourages the animal to urinate in the same area again.
Laura advised in an interview with Spanish-language newspaper El Confidential: “Don’t clean your dog’s urine with vinegar; look for products with bioenzymes.”
While the smell of vinegar masks unpleasant odours to our comparatively dull sense of smell, dogs have a sense of smell 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours. For them, the residue remains.
Complicating matters further, the smell of vinegar can be quite similar to that of ammonia, which may confuse the dog and lead them to repeat the behaviour.
Another crucial point is that vinegar cannot break down the components of urine. As Londoño highlights, it does not eliminate urea or organic salts, nor does it act on the biological matter that causes bad odours.
Consequently, it only masks the problem for a limited time. The result is insufficient cleaning that leaves the animal’s scent intact.
The most effective solution is to use cleaning products containing bioenzymes, which are specifically designed to break down urine molecules. These products permanently neutralise odours for both humans and dogs, preventing pets from reoffending and ensuring deep, long-lasting hygiene in the home.
Dedicated enzyme-based cleaners are available in many hardware shops or from online retailers such as Amazon. The natural enzymes and friendly bacteria in these products not only neutralise the smell of urine but also break down and digest other unpleasant organic messes, including food stains, grease, starch and vomit.
They eliminate odours at their source rather than merely masking them, making them ideal for tackling tough bio-based stains on carpets, upholstery and other surfaces.
Different enzymes target specific substances (protease for protein, lipase for fats, amylase for starch), providing a deep clean that requires less scrubbing and is generally safer and more eco-friendly.
To maximise the effectiveness of enzyme-based cleaners, first wipe or blot up as much solid matter as possible before applying a generous amount of the product. Leave the cleaner in place for as long as you can—ideally 24 hours—keeping the area moist so the enzymes can do their job.
Once the time is up, simply blot up the remaining solution.
