The 5 Best Pet Odor Eliminators

You love spending time with your life companion, be it a dog, cat, or even exotic animal. But sometimes those snuggles and kisses are stinky. It could be because they need a good bath and sometimes it’s because the stench from their environment has tacked on to their fur, and now you’re smelling something sour. Any cat owner knows the acidic, ammonia-like smell that springs into the air when the litter needs to be changed. Although cats are incredibly clean creatures, sometimes they can carry that smell with them into the room, particularly if you have a long-haired cat. For this reason, it is important to have a good pet odor eliminator around the house.

Dogs can’t be bathed too frequently — but that means their favorite spots to lay on become a bit gross. Of course, you’re cleaning up regularly, using an awesome pet vacuum to pick up any fur, dander, and debris they bring in from the outside but man, oh man! Even with your best efforts, you need a little help from a pet odor eliminator. We’ve got you covered. Below, we share our top five pet odor eliminators. We start with our top favorite pet odor eliminator, share a professional-strength option, and highlight one for cat litter, and one for stinky dogs too. We even threw in a pet odor eliminator that is sustainable for those of you prioritizing a sustainable home.

By the end of this article, you’ll know a little more about each option and we’ll help you choose the best one for your needs. We cover safety tests, ingredients, ease of use, and reviews from our team of testers. We compare each of the products, list the pros and cons, and share some verified user experiences, so you can get the details that product descriptions just don’t cover. Finally, we answer your most frequently asked questions about pet odor eliminators to set you up with all the info you need to make the best purchase for you, your pets, and your home!  

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for the Best Pet Odor Eliminators

#1 Best Overall: Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator

The #1 Best Overall pet odor eliminator, by far, is Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator. They have a great motto: “Smells like heaven, works like hell.” This odor eliminator comes in a 24-ounce spray bottle and is super powerful. All you need is a little bit, and it goes a very long way. It’s designed for carpet, where heavy odors get trapped and can lift even the strongest, lingering smells at the source and completely destroy them. Despite how concentrated this odor eliminator is, there is no mixing required. It’s ready to use as soon as it arrives at your door.

To use it, remove your pets from the area where you’ll be spraying, clean up any excess messes, shake the bottle well and spray. If you have a ceiling fan, turn that on because it needs to dry completely. Now, this is a strong product so be sure to check the ingredients list because cats and birds may be sensitive to some of the ingredients included in the formula. You don’t only have to use it on carpet. It can also work on different materials like tile, inside of garbage cans, inside your car, and on your couch upholstery.

Wherever there is a stench, use Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator. It’s made with natural orange oil to really get rid of those tough odors and leave behind a heavenly citrus scent. It’s completely safe for in-home use, inside bathrooms, and inside trash cans when you use it as directed. This product is designed to target odor at the source. Whenever you use it, just clear the area and avoid using it near your pet’s food or water. Let it dry completely before letting your pets back into the room.

One reviewer’s mind was completely blown after using this product. She had tried dozens of pet sprays, and different types of carpet vacuum powders, and spent a lot of money only to be disappointed after each try. With Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator, things have changed for her dramatically. She wants to scream about it from the top of mountains because not only is it safe to use (when used as directed), but it actually kills all the odors on her carpet and in her home. Her house has been bursting with endless hours of that amazing citrus orange smell. She plans to stock up and recommends you do, too.

A number of reviewers said that the sprayer didn’t work well: “Where Angry Orange fails miserably is the sprayer. I’ve gone through several bottles of this stuff and on top of the fact that they don’t really fit the bottle, every single one has either not worked at all, leaked, stopped working part way through the bottle, broken off completely, or some combination of the above. Why Angry Orange would market a premium product with a premium price and stick a junk sprayer (and that’s unnecessarily generous) so bad it not only renders the product unusable, but is also costing them repeat business, is unfathomable.”

Pros and Cons of Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator

Best Overall

Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator Spray

• Powerful odor-eliminating qualities
• Designed for carpet use, but works on tile, in garbage cans and other places where odors linger
• No mixing required
• Let it dry completely before allowing pets back in the room

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2. Best Pro Strength: Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor

If you need professional strength products to completely remove those awful pet urine smells, look no further than Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor. This stain and odor eliminator for strong odors is enzyme powered and serves both as a stain remover and a strong odor destroyer. It’s certified gentle and safe and is free of chlorine and any artificial colors. It’s safe to use around both your pets and your children. It doesn’t contain any hazardous propellants and doesn’t leave any residue behind. It’s even earned the seal of approval by the trusted Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)!

The way Rocco & Roxie describe this is “if it’s gross, it’s gone.” You can tackle both stains and the stink all at once. Use it on urine, feces, or any other organic spills. This professional strength formula is designed to tackle them all. You can also use this on different surfaces like your floors, carpet, inside kennels, litter boxes, and any place where your pet likes to chill out and that ends up stinky. If a pet stain needs to be removed from furniture, clothing, or carriers, you can lean on this stain and odor eliminator to clean the mess right up.

The reason this stain and odor eliminator works so well is because it’s enzyme-activated. What that means is it tackles the problem right at the source. It contains natural enzymes that are activated when they come into contact with odors and stains. They essentially feed on ammonia crystals and organic matter until they’re completely gone. This is a best seller for a good reason, and they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If this thing doesn’t blow your mind with how well it works, you can get your money back.

One reviewer used this product in a new home with three cats. Unfortunately, after the move, the male cat started lining the walls with urine. We took a black light to the environment and there was a good one to a two-foot wide strip of urine lining the 20-foot wall. We suspected that the previous tenants had cats as well and that may have prompted our male cat to start spraying to mark his territory. Anyway, we followed the steps down to a T by first soaking, letting it sit, covering the treated area, and then vacuuming and inspecting. This product worked like nothing else we tried. Although we had almost given up hope, we’re glad we didn’t because we found a product that really works.

Negative reviews had to do with the fragrance of the product: “It does eliminate most of the urine smell but replaced it with another terrible odor. It’s been months since I’ve used this and I still can’t get rid of the smell.”

Pros and Cons of Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor

Best Pro-Strength

Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Professional Strength Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator

• Enzyme-powered odor remover
• Removes odors AND stains
• Free of chlorine and artificial colors
• Safe for use around pets and children
• Good for use on urine, feces and other organic spills
• Good for use on floors, carpets, litter boxes, kennels and other places where odors arise

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3. Best for Cat Litter: Arm and Hammer Cat Litter Deodorizer Powder

It’s always nice to discover new brands but there are some brands that have been around for such a long time that you immediately trust their products, like Arm and Hammer Cat Litter Deodorizer Powder. The company developed this cat litter deodorizer powder with baking soda so you can use it directly in your cat’s litter box for instant control. Use this any time odors need to be neutralized, like after scooping the litter. It doesn’t matter what type of litter you have, whether they be pellets or the sand-like litter, it works on all types. The best part is it won’t impact clumping. Use it every day to keep your cat’s litter box fresh.

One reviewer was desperate for a solution because she lives in a small apartment and the only appropriate place she found to place her litter box was in the corner of her living room. We all know that’s not ideal, and we could feel you cringe from here! But she has a lovely cat that she’s not going to get rid of and she just had to find a solution for that litter box smell in her living room. She had tried different solutions like candles, automatic deodorizers, and leaving the window open all day—although they helped a little bit, they just weren’t handling the strong odor. Every time she changes the litter box now, she adds a little of this powder, and mixes it up. It smells a thousand times better and it completely saved her living room!

Several reviewers complained about the product’s strong fragrance: “This was advertised as unscented but was not. The scent makes me ill. It was so bad I had to leave the boxes outside — they smelled like those cloying dryer sheets. The smell may not bother most people, but it could actually be toxic. I feel sorry for pets who are subject to this kind of thing.”

Pros and Cons of Arm and Hammer Cat Litter Deodorizer Powder

Best for Cat Litter

Arm & Hammer Litter Cat Litter Deodorizer Powder

• Trusted Arm & Hammer brand is proven effective
• Mixed with litter, it neutralizes odors
• Won't impact litter qualities

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4. Best for Stinky Dogs: Nature’s Miracle Stain and Odor Remover

Nature’s Miracle Stain and Odor Remover is a great enzymatic formula that removes both stains and odors. It begins to break down and remove stains as soon as you apply it, and it also has a light citrus scent that gets your home smelling a lot more pleasant than how your dog has it smelling right now. It’s a perfect formula for dog odor control and continues working as long as any bio-based mess is still there. This is a trusted brand for a good reason. They’ve been making products that work for 30 years. This formula is designed to be fast acting and it’s safe for use around your pets and inside your home. Just be sure to use it as directed.

You can use this on carpet, tile, hardwood (unless it’s untreated!), and linoleum. It’s even safe to use on different types of fabrics like suede, silk, and leather. It’s tough on urine, feces, vomit, and drool. Whatever mess your dog makes, you can count on Nature’s Miracle stain and odor remover to handle it. This brand is all about supporting your desire to have nice things alongside your pet. With this solution, you can eliminate the toughest pet and odor messes and keep your home smelling fresh and clean. To use, make sure you always use the full strength of the product. Don’t dilute it. Apply it to the stain or where the odor is, let it soak for about 10 minutes, and then blot the area with a clean cloth. Let the area dry for 24 hours and you’re good to go!

A reviewer tried this in a chaotic household where their puppy would mark any time a cat had a hairball incident. As you can imagine, there was a lot going on. The stink was real. They needed something that was going to work on both cat and dog urine and of course on those vomit spots to prevent those remarking incidents. They knew we needed something strong that could tackle both odor and stains at once. The enzymes contained in this product actually break down all that biological matter that’s present in both old and new stains. It’s kind of crazy how it works but they are beyond pleased with how big of a difference it has made in their home.

Some reviewers found this product’s fragrance to be unpleasant: “It removes the dog mess odor, but the liquid has an unpleasant, pungent chemical smell.”

Pros and Cons of Nature’s Miracle Stain and Odor Remover

Best for Stinky Dogs

Nature's Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover Spray

• Enzyme-based formula removes both stains and smells
• Light citrus scent is pleasant but not overpowering
• Trusted brand with 30-year legacy
• Ideal for use on carpet, tile, hardwoods and linoleum
• Can be used on fabrics like suede, leather and even silk
• Doesn't need to be diluted

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5. Best Sustainable: Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag, Charcoal

Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag, Charcoal works a little differently than some of the other options we highlighted in this article. This is a natural air-purifying bag. It’s a scent-free odor eliminator that you can use in any room in your house, whether it be your kitchen, bedroom, or areas where your pets hang out the most. This works as an extremely effective air purifier that naturally and easily absorbs gross pet odors. It also absorbs harmful pollutants and moisture. It contains one simple ingredient and that’s moso bamboo charcoal. If you prefer an odor eliminator that doesn’t have any scent associated with it, as pleasant as that scent might be, this is a great alternative.

It’s completely free of chemicals and fragrances and offers a natural way to eliminate odors without masking them. With each bag, you can cover 300 ft.² to keep the space smelling fresh. It’s extremely long-lasting and super easy to use. In fact, you can keep rejuvenating this product and it’ll last you up to two years. Just place it outside when the sun is shining brightly once a month for one hour. What’s even cooler is that after two years of using the bamboo charcoal inside of it, you can go ahead and sprinkle it into your garden, and it’ll help to promote plant growth. They’re serious about making a sustainable product!

Sometimes, when we think of sustainability, we think of subpar products. But one reviewer let us know that we are completely wrong to think that way. It works on all odors. She called it a wonderful surprise. It does everything it’s supposed to do, and she uses several throughout her home to eliminate different odors, not just pet odors. These little bags have solved her problems and she loves that they also absorb humidity. She’s definitely sold and highly recommends these Moso Natural Air Purifying Bags.

A number of users said that using this product was just too much of a hassle: “Living in a local that has frequent rainy months . It becomes too big of a deal to find a dry day to expose these bags to sunshine. Also living in a Apt. setting with little private outdoor space adds an additional hassle to leave these bags unattended for an hour each month. How difficult it can be to schedule in that hour a month?! Especially when both weather and space are limited.”

Pros and Cons of Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag, Charcoal

Most Sustainable

Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag

• Natural air-purifying bag
• Scent-free odor eliminator
• Absorbs pet odors, pollutants and moisture
• Contains moso bamboo charcoal and is chemical-free
• Covers 300 square feet of living space
• Long-lasting and easy to use

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

We shared plenty of great options, but you may still be unsure which product might be best for you. Below, we itemize what to look for to make sure you’re happy with your purchase.

Safety Tests

This is super important, not just to ensure that your pets are safe, but especially if you also have kiddos in your household. Look for products that have been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These types of products that are registered are a lot less harmful than some other unregulated products on the market. Look for how brands that identify special certifications, safety testing, and any other important seals that identify their commitment to safety.

Ingredients

When using products that are going to be sprayed or placed around pets, it is so important that you do a thorough review of the ingredients list. It could be that your pet is allergic to some of the ingredients, even if they are deemed safe. Make sure that you start with simple spot tests and see if your pet has any kind of negative reaction. If you see ingredients like formaldehyde, bleach, or phenyl, avoid using these around your pet. Also, be sure to use the product as directed. Sometimes, the solutions are so concentrated that the directions require you remove your pet from the room that you’ll be using the product in. Not until It’s completely dry, may the product be safe around your pets. Also, be sure to avoid spraying any cleaner, whether it’s a pet odor eliminator or not, around your pet’s food and water bowls.

Customer Feedback

You probably already know to do this but whenever you’re considering a new product, check out the customer reviews from other pet parents who have already gone through the testing process. We shared some of our experiences here in this article and encourage you to do a deep dive into customer reviews to get real thoughts instead of just reading through a product description. Of course, the manufacturer wants to sell you something, but other pet parents can give you those nitty-gritty details that you would otherwise miss.

Eco-Friendliness

If you’re looking for sustainable options, you can always find them. You want the potency of highly concentrated products, but you also want to ensure that you’re using a great odor eliminator with environmental friendliness. Look for odor eliminators that are plant-based and that contain natural ingredients.

Ease of Use

The modern world is all about convenience. The easier the product is to use, the more likely you are to invest in it. You shouldn’t have to scrub away or spend hours hauling a carpet cleaning machine around. Instead, choose a product that is sufficiently concentrated that you can spray, let it sit, and quickly blot away any stains or odors.