ODOR PROBLEMS

Thornell specializes in creating products that permanently eliminate malodors – complex blends of natural ingredients that work through various methods and actions. Our products are NOT masks and they are NOT enzymes.

Each of our products is specially formulated for a unique purpose.

Odor Problems & Solutions Guide

Locate the type of odor problem below and we will help guide you to find the most relevant product for your situation. As with any pet care product, consult with your veterinarian if you have questions or concerns and always review and follow the label directions.

Carpets & Upholstery – Cat urine in carpets and other porous surfaces is a significant problem primarily because it can go undetected for a long time. The urine itself has very little odor but once it starts to decay it becomes a problem. The first stage of decay produces amines (ammonia) which are unpleasant while the second stage of decay produces mercaptans which are the real problem. (Mercaptans are what make skunk spray smell so bad.) With a carpet this can mean the urine has soaked through the carpet to the floor or deeply into your favorite sofa. In spite of product and carpet cleaner claims this odor cannot be eliminated with detergents or by spraying the surface as the product will not go down as deep as the urine.

The solution is to thoroughly soak the soiled area with Thornell’s Cat Odor-Off. Cat Odor-Off will eliminate odors regardless of how long it’s been or even after all sorts of other remedies have been tried. (Cat Odor-Off will work where enzyme-based products won’t. Enzyme products are not compatible with detergents and germicides and usually there will be a residue of one or both in the carpet from earlier treatments). Simply pour Cat Odor-Off on, making certain that you have covered the soiled area completely and with enough volume to soak through the carpet or sofa reaching the odor source. Let it dry. That’s it.


Recommended ProductsCat Odor-Off or OdorMed.


Litter Box Odor – the basic odor control for litter boxes is to strain frequently for solid matter and change the litter often enough so the ammonia from the decaying urine doesn’t become a problem. Actually if the urine is left long enough it will go into a second stage of decay and a mercaptan odor will be produced which is very objectionable. Once the litter is changed use Cat Odor-Off or AOE to clean the empty tray or around the area where the tray sits if your pet missed where they aimed. Let dry. The odor will be gone.


Recommended ProductsCat Odor-Off, OdorMed or Animal Odor Eliminator (AOE).


Tomcat Spray Odor – is a serious problem because it contains odorous materials in addition to urine. Wash off any odorous material that is visible. Using Cat Odor-Off spray the area several times until the odor is controlled or eliminated. Spray the surface until it becomes just wet enough so that the odor control product starts to run down. Let dry and repeat the process as needed.


Recommended ProductsCat Odor-Off or OdorMed.

Carpets & Upholstery – Dog urine in carpets and other porous surfaces is a significant problem primarily if it goes untreated for a long time. The urine itself can be very odorous and once it starts to decay it can become a major problem. If on carpet or upholstery the urine will soak through the carpet to the floor or deeply into your favorite sofa. In spite of product and carpet cleaner claims this odor cannot be eliminated with detergents or by spraying the surface as the product will not go down as deeply as the urine.

The solution is to thoroughly soak the soiled area with Thornell’s Dog Odor-Off. Dog Odor-Off will eliminate odors regardless of how long it’s been or even after all sorts of other remedies have been tried. (Dog Odor-Off will work where enzyme-based products won’t. Enzyme products are not compatible with detergents and germicides and usually there will be a residue of one or both in the carpet from earlier treatments).

Simply pour Dog Odor-Off on, making certain that you have covered the soiled area completely and with enough volume to soak through the carpet or sofa reaching the odor source. Let it dry. That’s it.


Recommended ProductsDog Odor-Off or OdorMed.


Smelly Dog – All dogs have some level of natural body odor. It can be very faint to nearly intolerable. This depends on many things. Some breeds have stronger odors than others. Dog odors usually grow stronger as the dog gets older. And then there are medical problems such as skin and ear infections. As soon as they are detected you should consult with a veterinarian for treatment.

Bathing will help for natural body odors however shampooing too frequently can cause skin dryness and irritation. Thornell’s Dog Odor-Off Spray can be the answer. It is simply sprayed on the animal to help control odors between each bathing. To be most effective it is best to ruffle the fur while spraying so the product will cover as much hair and skin as possible. Soaking is not necessary.

Dog Odor-Off Spray has a mild cedar fragrance in a formula that will eliminate the odor. It is also a great product for odors on pet beds and blankets.


Recommended ProductsDog Odor-Off or OdorMed.

Skunk Odor – The odor from skunk spray is a mercaptan that is in the same family of odors that are used to scent natural gas so leaks can be quickly detected. Mercaptans are some of the easiest odors for the human nose to detect, at levels as low as 20 parts per billion! This is the reason why treating for skunk spray must be so thorough. Miss anything and you will still smell “skunk” although greatly diminished in strength.

The standard treatments until 1978 were shampooing, tomato juice and diluted vinegar. All of these are helpful to the degree that they wash some (hopefully most) of the skunk oil off the sprayed object, most frequently a dog. However, what isn’t washed off will continue to cause problems for six months to one year after the hit. This is particularly true when the vapor pressure drops and the dried skunk oil can vaporize more easily. Examples: hot muggy days, when the dog gets wet, etc.

In 1978 Skunk-Off® became available to veterinarians. It had been tested at a leading university which maintained a skunk colony. It was found that when the formula used in Skunk-Off came in contact with the skunk oil the odor was eliminated.

Follow these directions if a skunk attack has occurred. Wipe off excess skunk spray in areas of direct hit. If using the Skunk Off Liquid saturate this area, let dry and rinse. If using Skunk-Off Shampoo, wet the coat and then apply liberal amounts to the affected area, let stand for 3-5 minutes and then rinse thoroughly and let dry. If pre-treatment has occurred (tomato juice, on-line formulas, shampooing,) 2 or more treatments with Skunk-Off may be needed to totally eliminate the odor. If after application any skunk odor remains Skunk-Off has not come in contact with some of the skunk spray. Locate the missed spot(s) and re-apply. Rinse and let dry. (Caution should be used to protect pet’s eyes).

For skunk odor in the home use the Skunk-Off Liquid. Spray directly on furniture or clothing, then let dry. Skunk-Off can also be used as a laundry additive for clothing (1 ounce per normal load with detergent) and can be used in a wet fogger for large areas (mix 1:1 with water)

Use on Cats – Be sure to thoroughly rinse if using Skunk-Off on cats. Cats are natural groomers they continually lick their hair coat. Skunk-Off in the cat’s mouth is not dangerous but it may cause excessive drooling.


Recommended ProductsSkunk-Off.

Kennel and Cage Odor – Good housekeeping and cleaning procedures will help lessen kennel and cage odor issues but no matter how good these practices are, any time there are animals in confined quarters there will be odors.

Thornell’s KOE (Kennel Odor Eliminator) concentrate will eliminate these odor issues. KOE eliminates, not masks, even old, impregnated odors from cages, runs, walls and other large areas leaving a mild, “out-door” fresh fragrance behind. KOE is safe for use for both indoor and outdoor kennels and cages allowing the pet to renter the area immediately after use.

KOE is extremely easy to use and unbelievably effective. Simply add KOE to your cleaning procedures. KOE can be added to your cleaning solutions or rinse water. When used with consistency there will be no animal odors in the areas of application. KOE is formulated to be added to cleaning solutions or rinse water at the ratio of 1 to 512 (1 tablespoon (1/2 oz.) to 2 gallons of liquid. This same ratio in water may be applied to specific areas with a lawn/garden type pump-up sprayer. For high pressure wash, add to detergent tank at the ratio of 1 to 1536 ( 1 tablespoonful to 6 gallons.) The ratios may be varied to suit the need of the situation. Always use the least amount possible to achieve the desired results. Effectiveness is decreased when used with chlorine bleach solutions.


Recommended ProductsKennel Odor Eliminator (KOE) or Kennel Odor Eliminator Fresh Scent (KOE Fresh Scent).

Work & Workout Clothes, Pet Beds, Sneakers, Soiled Bedding – L.O.E. eliminates not masks, even old, impregnated odors from towels, blankets, animal bedding and all other machine washable items. L.O.E is very economical requiring only 1/2 oz. not the usual 1 oz. per load of laundry. Conveniently packaged in a 32oz. self measuring bottle so there is no wasted product. Simply add to the pre-soak or main wash cycle with your detergent. L.O.E is an environmentally friendly product. Effectiveness is decreased when used with chlorine bleach solutions. On bottle does up to 64 loads of laundry.


Recommended ProductsLaundry Odor Eliminator (LOE).
Expressed Anal Sacs – The liquid in anal sacs has a particularly obnoxious odor. Some animals when frightened will empty their anal sacs, much to the consternation of anyone around them. The emptying of anal sacs is a standard veterinary procedure. No matter the cause of an anal sac being emptied, some action must be taken as soon as possible. First wipe up all of the liquid that is visible with a disposable rag. It’s a good idea to wrap the disposable rag before putting it into the trash with something that is a good vapor barrier such as aluminum foil, rubber glove. If plastic is used be sure to use many layers because plastic is not a particularly good vapor barrier. Use Thornell’s AOE Spray (Animal Odor Eliminator) to eliminate any remaining odor. Spray all areas that the anal sac liquid came in contact with, including directly on the animal and let dry.


Recommended ProductsAnimal Odor Eliminator (AOE).


Fecal Odor – Fresh fecal matter gives off many unpleasant odors: indoles, skatoles, etc. Most of the odors can be eliminated by eliminating the source, i.e., removing the matter and properly disposing of it. For those odors remaining, usually spraying the contaminated surface with AOE, Dog or Cat Odor-Off should be sufficient in eliminating any remaining odors quickly and permanently.


Recommended ProductsAnimal Odor Eliminator (AOE), Dog Odor-Off or Cat Odor-Off.


‘My Dog Rolled in Something’ Odor – Fecal matter from deer, opossum, fox and other wild animals plus dead carcasses are a great attraction for dogs to roll in. The reasons for this vary but most feel it is an ancestry issue that helps with their instincts to disguise their own scent when preparing to hunt. Regardless of why it brings with it an odor that can be extremely offensive. Bathing the pet can help but shampoos generally do not eliminate odors. A 1:1 mixture of Skunk-Off Shampoo with a cleansing shampoo will handle these odor issues easily. Simply apply the mixture to the needed area or completely bathe your pet if necessary.


Recommended ProductsSkunk-Off.