My Carpet Has Terrible Pet Odor; I Have to Tear it Out. Not true! When it comes to pet odors, carpets can be treated most of the time with an enzyme-based odor product. The enzymes neutralize the odor while removing the stain.
In extreme cases, with unpleasant and even foul pet odors, the carpet padding will need to be removed and the floor treated with an oil- based primer. This primer will 'seal' the odor in the sub-floor. In the meantime, the carpet can be treated and cleaned, then re-installed with a new pad.