Whether you like it or not, if you own a cat or a dog and they spend anytime inside - you have a smelly house - and whether you like it or not, to other people that smell just may be a little too much for their olfactory system. So just how smelly may depend on the little extra effort you are prepared to go to.

Housebreak your pet. If you have a kitten or puppy, it's easier to housebreak them because they are still learning. An older animal can still be housebroken, but it may take a little more work. Although this task can prove to be tiresome, most pets will catch on within a matter of weeks. Depending on the age and intelligence of the animal, it's not impossible for him/her to learn the rules of the road within days. In no time, your pet's instinct will come into play and he/she will be the perfect house guest.

If you need assistance in housebreaking your cat or dog, consult with a local veterinarian or pet trainer. CatDog has a number of trainers listed on our website in New South Wales , Queensland,and Victoria. 

Make time for litterbox maintenance. If you have a cat, make sure to change the litterbox regularly. You may also wish to consider a self-cleaning litterbox, but always make sure to keep the area clean and free of spills or other mishaps.

Consider your choice of flooring. If you are trying to housebreak a pet, carpet is not your friend. It retains odors and stains making it more difficult to keep your home smelling and looking fresh. If feasible, you may want to consider adding hardwood flooring of vinyl for easy maintenance and cleanup. With this type of flooring, fewer odors will be trapped, along with pet hair and stains. 

Choose a specialty cleaner. If possible, use a floor/carpet cleaner specifically designed for the removal of pet stains and/or odors. As is the case with all cleaners, make sure to use in a well-ventilated area and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

It's not just your floors that need protection from pet smells and hair, if you let your beloved furball sleep on your couch then you may not notice it but it will give off an odour, and there is no doubt you have noticed the hair that is left behind (how many vaccum cleaners have you gone through by now). You could consider investing in some protection for at least one of your sofas, then train your pet to only sleep on that one. We recommend the Sofasheet, an Australian made product that offers great protection for your beloved Sunday afternoon nap area!

Now that you know how to keep your home smelling fresh and clean, don't forget to include an air freshener or scented candle to add a touch of your favorite fragrance to the air. Just make sure to keep any such item out of your pet's reach