This is a specific conversation about Pet stain and odour removal — what actually works — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
Your vet is absolutely right — enzyme cleaners are the only products that permanently eliminate pet odours rather than masking them. Standard cleaners leave enough scent behind that your dog can detect it and returns to the same spot, which is the last thing you need when you're already managing anxiety-related soiling. To point you to exactly the right product: is this on carpet, hard floor, or upholstery, and are the stains fresh or have some of them had time to set in?
It's mainly carpet, in the hallway and one corner of the living room. Some are fresh but a few have been there a week or so because we didn't realise what was happening at first.
inparticular.ai
Got it — a mix of fresh and set-in on carpet is the trickiest combination, so you want a high-concentration formula. Before I confirm the recommendation, roughly how big is your Ridgeback? A large dog means larger volume per incident, and that affects how deeply the urine has soaked into the carpet backing and underlay.
He's about 40kg, so pretty big. The corner of the living room especially looks like he went there multiple times before we caught on.
inparticular.ai
That's important — at 40kg you're dealing with a significant volume, and with repeated soiling in one spot the urine will have penetrated well below the carpet fibres into the backing and possibly the underlay. A standard enzyme spray won't reach it. The product I'd go with is Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odour Remover. It's a professional-strength enzyme formula specifically built for large-volume, set-in stains, and it's widely trusted by dog trainers and behaviourists for exactly this kind of situation. For that corner, saturate it thoroughly — more than you think you need — then cover it with a damp cloth and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes before blotting. The enzymes need dwell time and moisture to work through to the lower layers. Don't use any other cleaner on those spots first, and avoid steam cleaning, as heat deactivates the enzymes.
Is there any risk it'll bleach the carpet or leave a mark?
inparticular.ai
Simple Solution Extreme is colour-safe and widely used on domestic carpets without issue — but as with any cleaner on carpet, do a quick patch test on a hidden area first, just to be sure. The more common mistake people make is not using enough of it. With set-in stains on carpet you need it to reach the same depth the urine did, so be generous. Once it's dried fully the odour should be completely gone, which also helps break the habit loop for your dog — if he can't smell the previous episodes, the spot loses its significance.
That's really helpful. Should I get the spray bottle or is there a larger size worth having given we've got multiple spots?
inparticular.ai
Given you've got multiple spots and a large dog, go straight for the 945ml or 1-litre bottle rather than a small spray — you'll go through a standard bottle quickly if you're treating several areas properly. Simple Solution Extreme comes in larger sizes on Amazon UK and it's much better value. It's also worth keeping some in reserve; with anxiety-related soiling, incidents can continue while your vet's behavioural plan takes effect, so having it on hand means you can treat immediately and prevent stains setting again.
