Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How to Find Hidden Dog Pee: Expert Tips & How to Clean It

Share

Dog pee underpad

Dogs are indeed man’s best friend and are some of the most loving animals on earth.

However, accidents do happen, and if they happen too often, you’ll end up with a urine smell that won’t go away in your home. Not only will it be hard to get rid of the smell, but sometimes it’s almost impossible to find the source of the smell.

If you’ve ever found yourself running from room to room, lifting the couches, looking under the kitchen table, and scratching your head because you can’t find the hidden dog pee, then you’re an experienced pet parent and know what we’re talking about!

Luckily, there are ways to find that hidden dog pee, and get rid of the smell. We’ll talk about this and more below.

divider single dog paw oct 2024How to Find & Cleaning Hidden Dog Pee

The first thing you want to do is go on a search for the hidden dog pee in your home. Dogs usually roam wherever they want in most homes, so there could be a lot of ground to cover.

It’s best to invest in a black light to see if you can find hidden dog pee that your furry pal has been leaving behind. This way, you’ll easily be able to find hidden urine that’s dried that you cannot see with the naked eye. Check possible places where your male pooch may have marked his territory by spraying, or private spots where females may have peed, such as under tables or beds.

Once you’ve found the source of the smell, it’ll be easier to get the odor out and make your home smell fresh and clean once again. Investing in the right products before you need them is also key. We recommend an enzyme cleaner.

Our Favorite Cleaner

Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray is our favorite all-purpose cleaner for pet messes. It permanently lifts the very worst stains and odors, making clean-up and accident prevention a breeze. Hepper offers a 100% guarantee, which is a great bonus! Learn more about it here.

Rating Image Product Details
Best Enzymatic Cleaner
Winner
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
  • All-purpose
  • Pet-safe
  • Multi-surface safe
  • At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool pet company!

    divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

    The 8 Steps for Getting Rid of the Smell

    Once you’ve found the dog pee Fido has been hiding from you, there are a few steps you can follow to help you get rid of the odor. We’ll list those steps for you below.

    1. Open the Windows

    When it comes to getting rid of that dog smell and the smell urine leaves behind, your first step should be to open the windows in your home to the fresh air outside.

    Of course, you’re not going to want to do this if the weather is super-nasty outside, but if it’s a nice day, fling open those windows and doors and let the fresh air pour in and circulate.

    woman standing by window and opening curtains
    Image Credit: Monkey Business Images, Shutterstock

    2. Remove All Visible Dog Urine

    It’s important to make sure that you remove all visible dog urine from your home. It’s best to immediately clean up any messes you see your dog make, as the longer you let the urine sit, the worse it’s going to stain, and the smell will soon set in.


    3. Vacuum or Mop

    Once you’ve blotted up and removed all the visible dog urine, vacuum or mop the entire area to remove any messes and feces you might have missed. Feces will leave a horrible smell in your home as well.

    It’s best to vacuum or sweep and mop completely before moving to the next step in the process.

    woman cleaning couch with vacuum cleaner at home
    Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

    4.  Use an Enzymatic Cleaner

    Once you’ve followed the steps above, use an enzymatic cleaner and spray the affected areas thoroughly. They are a perfect choice for taking out the smells and stains of dog urine in your home since they are designed to breakdown the compounds in urine that cause smells and stains to repeat after a period of time.


    5. Perform a Spot Test

    The first thing you need to do is find an out-of-the-way spot on your carpet or furnishings and spot test it first. You never know when a cleaner will react badly with your type of fabric or carpeting, and you don’t want a big bleached-out spot to contend with.

    Spray a bit of the cleaner, wait a bit, and then move on to the next steps on the list if it works with no problem.

    hand spraying the gray couch
    Image Credit: y_seki, Shutterstock

    6. Spray and Leave

    Spray the product on the affected area and let it sit for the time it specifies on the bottle. Once it sits, rinse the area with a damp cloth, then pat it dry.


    7. Blot, Don’t Rub

    The one thing you need to know about getting dog stains and odors out of your furnishings and carpets is that you should blot the area, not rub it.

    Scrubbing a stain does nothing but spread it to the rest of the area. So, blot gently—don’t scrub or rub.

    spraying carpet cleaner on the carpet
    Image Credit: Syda Productions, Shutterstock

    8. Let Dry and Vacuum

    Let the area you treated dry thoroughly, then vacuum it afterward. Repeat these steps as many times and as often as needed until the stains are gone, and your home once again smells clean and fresh.

    Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
    • ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...
    • FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture,...
    • FRESH, NATURAL ODOR - Our unique formulation doesn't rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemical...

    If pee accidents are frequent and you’re unsure of what’s causing them or how to prevent them, a consult with your vet could help!

    If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's our online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

    PangoVet_Mention-in-Content Savings V1

    divider dog faces oct 2024

    Conclusion

    When it comes to having pets, most pet parents already know they can be a lot of work, and that includes the accidents they have on occasion.

    These tips will hopefully help you find any hidden urine, clean it properly, and keep your home free of hidden dog pee, the stains, and the smell it brings.


    Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

    Want content like this delivered to you?

    Sign Up For Our Newsletter

    News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog

    * By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




    How useful was this post?

    Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

    Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

    Your feedback really matters.

    What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

    Join the conversation

    Leave a Reply

    You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


    Dogster's Digital Magazine is Back!​

    Dogster Magazine Cover June 2026

    Vet-approved health & behavior advice

    Real dog stories & community features

    The Organization Helping Pets Feel Safer, Happier, and ‘Fear Free’ – Heroes of the Pet World

    For many pet owners, stress during veterinary visits, grooming appointments, travel, or even routine handling can feel like an unavoidable part of life...

    Why Some Dogs Treat Mealtime Like Playtime – And When to Pay Attention

    Most dogs are reliable eaters. Bowl goes down, food disappears. So when a dog starts batting kibble across the kitchen floor, tossing pieces...

    Major Win for Dogs: Ontario Becomes the Final Province to Ban Ear Cropping and Debarking

    ​​Ontario has approved new animal welfare regulations that will prohibit elective ear cropping and devocalization (debarking) procedures in dogs from January 1, 2027....

    Dogster’s Weekly Photo Contest Winners: Most Adorable Puppy (June 8, 2026)

    Every week our team gets the privilege of sorting through our readers photos to choose what dogs will win this weeks contest! See...

    More related

    Inception Dog Food Review 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

    Review Summary Inception Pet foods is a brand that produces wet and dry food for cats and dogs with animal or fish protein...

    What Are Dog Transportation Services? Types, Uses, Pros & Cons

    Dog transportation services are businesses or professionals that will transport your dog from one location to another. This can be to prearranged appointments...

    Italian Greyhuahua Mixed Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

    The Italian Greyhuahua is a cross between a Chihuahua and an Italian Greyhound. These crossbreeds are generally rare within the United States, as...

    Why Do Dogs Eat Tampons? Vet-Reviewed Reasons & What to Do

    It’s a fact of dog ownership: they often get into things and eat objects they shouldn’t, whether it’s used condoms, dirty diapers, or...

    Keep reading

    Can Dogs Eat Cow Tongues? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

    Being a responsible pet owner can sometimes be a bit stressful! What is safe? What is toxic? What is the best diet for my dog? There is so much conflicting information out there that it can be difficult to know...

    Can Dogs Eat Cow Tongues

    Can Dogs Have Twizzlers? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

    Dogs enjoy eating many human snacks, and it’s really difficult to resist sharing your food when your dog is giving you puppy eyes. Fortunately, there are many healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables that you can give to your dog...

    Dogster-Can-Dogs-Have-Twizzlers

    8 Best Dog Foods for Maltese in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

    Maltese are affectionate, curious, and fearful companions. As one of the oldest breeds in the world, this toy dog is relatively easy to care for. They’re people-pleasers at heart, but they’re also spunky little pups that aren’t afraid of a...

    little dog maltese eating food from a bowl at home

    Is Glycerin in Dog Food & Treats Bad for Dogs? Vet-Reviewed Safety Guide

    We all know that one key to a healthy dog’s life is high-quality dog food. You look for ingredients such as whole meats and grains and ensure the diet is complete and balanced. You may not be looking for glycerin,...

    dry dog food in bowl

    9 Best Dog Biscuits in 2026: Reviews & Top Picks

    Our dogs spoil us with endless love and loyalty, so it’s no surprise we all want to spoil them back. For our food-motivated friends, treats are the ideal way to show our love and tighten our bond. They also work...

    australian shepherd dog having treat

    10 Best Dog Foods for Shiny Coats in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

    Most people want their dog to have a shiny, healthy coat and many different factors can affect a dog’s coat, including their diet. As a pet owner, you want to ensure your dog gets the best possible nutrition. This means...

    black and brown dog with shiny coat

    Does Canned Dog Food Need to Be Refrigerated? Vet Approved Health & Safety Tips

    Sometimes, our dog doesn’t eat all their food, or we forget to put it away after we open the can. We’ve also seen great deals we can’t pass up and purchase in bulk. How do you store both closed and...

    jack russell looking for food in the fridge

    Weruva Dog Food Review 2026: Pros, Cons, Recalls, and Guide

    Review Summary Weruva may sound like an odd name for a pet food brand, but the name was actually inspired by the creators’ cats: Webster, Rudi, and Vanessa. The first syllables of each name were taken and blended to create...

    Dogster_Weruva Dog Food Review

    Love Dogs? So Do We! Join the Dogster Community

    Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




    Sign up for the Dogster Email Newsletter