Imagine that you’re planning on having some close friends over for dinner tonight. Directly after work, you drive to the grocery store to get the ingredients to make a delicious meal. You open the door to your home, grocery bags in hand, greet your dog, and that is when the smell hits you—dog urine.
If this scenario sounds familiar, we feel your frustration! It is not easy to house-train a dog or puppy, especially when you need to leave the house for a few hours. You have done your best to walk them before you head out, or even have a litter pan or tray that smaller dogs can use when nature calls and they cannot get outside. Cleaning up dog urine is never fun, so we have compiled a list of the top 11 best enzyme cleaners for dog urine. Enzyme cleaners have bacteria that release enzymes to help break down molecules found in bio-waste, like urine, feces, or vomit. This article reviews the pros and cons of highly-rated enzyme cleaners that can help get the stink and stain out of your home!
A Quick Look at Our Winners in 2024
The 11 Best Enzyme Cleaners for Dog Urine Smells & Stains
1. Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray – Best Overall
Ingredients: Contains Live and Beneficial Bio-Enzymes to Fight Odors and Stains
Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Approved: Yes
100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes
Cleaning up dog urine stains with a product that truly eliminates odors can be a difficult balancing act, but our Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray makes cleaning up easy. This product binds, lifts, and completely removes both odors and stains. It can be used on just about any surface that needs urine odors or stains removed, including furniture, floors, and carpets. Make sure to spot test before use in a large area since there is the potential for discoloration, as with any product of this type.
This product can also be used for other stains and odors, like vomit and feces. It comes in a 32-ounce bottle, and since the product is highly effective, that bottle should last you a long time. It has a neutral scent, so the product itself won’t overwhelm your home with odors, and it won’t simply cover up unpleasant pet odors.
The best part about this product is that it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and you will be provided a refund if you aren’t satisfied with the product. It’s also made in the USA with eco-kind components, which means that it’s made to minimize its environmental impact and be safer for your home.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!
Pros:
- Binds to and removes odors and stains
- Can be used on multiple types of surfaces
- The large bottle should last a long time
- Made with eco-kind components and has a neutral scent
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons:
- Might discolor some surfaces
2. Shout Pets Enzymatic Stain & Odor Remover – Budget Buy
Ingredients: Water, C12-15, Pareth-9, sodium xylene sulfonate, fragrance
Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Approved: No
100% Satisfaction Guarantee: No
The Shout brand is well-known for its cleaning products, so if you do not want to spend too much on an enzymatic spray, our recommendation for a good value spray is Shout Pets Enzymatic Stain & Odor Remover. You can use this standard all-around pet mess cleaner on furniture, hard floors, and carpets. It also has a fragrance, but some people find it too strong. However, other people find the odor pleasant. While this spray says it is designed for carpeting and upholstery, it is advised to do a spot test before applying the formula to the area. This spray does not have a guarantee for carpet protection.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Used on multiple surfaces
- All-around pet mess cleaner
Cons:
- Strong odor
- Must test on carpet first
3. Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain & Odor Eliminator
Ingredients: Water, surfactants, isopropyl alcohol, enzymatic blend, fresh fragrance
Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Approved: No
100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes
Another great premium spray is the Nature’s Miracle Advanced Dog Enzymatic Severe Mess Stain & Odor Eliminator. This spray is multipurpose, so it can be used on various surfaces, even clothes. However, this product should not be used on leather, silk, specialty wool, or suede. The blend of ingredients discourages your pet from soiling the area again. Nature’s Miracle products have a good reputation for having light and pleasant scents. However, some people with sensitive sinuses have stated that the smell was a bit too strong to be used in enclosed areas.
Pros:
- Fast-drying formula
- Can be used on clothes
- Money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Strong odor
- Cannot be used on untreated hardwood
4. Bubba’s Super Strength Pet Odor Eliminator Carpet Shampoo
Ingredients: Water, Advanced Biological Blend, Non-ionic Surfactant, Fragrance, Polystyrene
Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Approved: Yes
100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes
Bubba’s Super Strength Pet Odor Eliminator Carpet Shampoo is known for its industrial strength. Since you will probably be cleaning up messes at least once a day, you want to make sure your surfaces will not get damaged. Bubba’s has a CRI approval and a money-back guarantee on this product. This product also has a longer shelf-life than most other cleaners on the market. While this formula says it deters pets from urinating or defecating in the same spot, some pet owners find that their pooch still returns to the same area.
Pros:
- Long shelf life
- CRI approved, money-back guarantee
- Pleasant smell
Cons:
- Does not always deter pets from areas
5. Angry Orange Enzyme Cleaner & Pet Stain Remover Spray
Ingredients: Water, orange peel oil, concentrated all-natural enzymes
Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) Approved: No
100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes
Angry Orange Enzyme Cleaner & Pet Stain Remover Spray gets an honorable mention for recommended cleaners because of its signature orange smell. Citrus has always been regarded as an effective natural deterrent for house pets, hence how Angry Orange got its name. This product’s enzymatic formula omits bacteria for up to 80 hours, continually fighting smells and stains. One application can help start to break down the most unpleasant of messes. One con to this product is that there is no clear list of ingredients. Many people find this product very effective on odors and stains; however, people with allergies and other sensitivities are hesitant to use this product around the house. Avoid using it if you are not fond of citrus scents.
Pros:
- Emits enzymatic bacteria for up to 80 hours.
- Pleasant orange scent
- Effective on odors
Cons:
- The scent may be too strong for some people
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Enzyme Cleaners for Dog Urine
Now that you have looked over our review of recommended enzyme cleaners, there are a few other things to consider before deciding on the specific cleaner.
- Scents and fragrances: The scent of the cleaner seems to be the biggest issue for consumers of these products. While the manufacturers aim to make the cleaner’s scent mild and pleasant, there are still going to be people who find the smell overpowering or for whom the product causes irritation. If you have sensitive sinuses, it is recommended to go to the pet store and smell the cleaner before purchasing it.
- Age of stain or odor: As much as we wish these cleaners were a magical solution to weeks-old stains and odors, they are not. One application might not be enough for stains and smells from your dog’s mess that is old. These cleaners are most effective when used as early as possible. If the stain and smell are several days old, expect to clean the area twice to get rid of it.
- Location of scents and fragrances: Many enzyme cleaners for dog urine state that they are multiple-purpose. But it is often a better idea to have an enzyme cleaner that targets a specific type of material. For example, some of the enzyme cleaners have the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) seal of approval to be used on carpets. If you want something specific for your carpet, look for those labels.
- Always spot test: Enzyme cleaners will have a list of places to use this product and places to avoid it. Even though it says it is fabric-safe, do a spot test just to verify. Better safe than sorry! Go for all-natural cleaners when you can, as those are not made with strong commercial chemicals.
When you decide to adopt a dog or puppy, it’s a good idea to add an enzyme cleaner to the list of pet accessories for purchase. We think that the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray is the best. This is because it has a neutral scent, requires no mixing, and works effectively on more than just dog urine stains and odors.
Second place goes to the Shout Pets Enzymatic Stain & Odor Remover. And the third place goes to Nature’s Miracle.
The best way to get rid of stains and smells is to apply the spray or cleaner as soon as you notice it. You don’t want to have to run out to the store and buy one when you notice an accident on the floor or in other places in your home. Do not let dog urine ruin your day or your dinner party!