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

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 an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized 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

    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.

    Talk With A Vet Online

    Peace of mind,
    anywhere, anytime

    Affordable vet advice

    4 Amazing Samoyed Colors (With Pictures)

    In most cases, white is the only common Samoyed color. However, there are a few other options, and you may be able to...

    How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have? Vet-Verified Dental Facts

    When you get a puppy, they’re going to go through so many changes as they start to advance towards their adult years. One...

    Tracheal Collapse in Dogs: Causes, Signs & Treatment

    It’s a unique and harsh sound; a honking cough that makes you think a flock of geese is flying overhead. Unfortunately, it’s coming...

    Can Two German Shepherds Live Together? Read Before Adopting

    German Shepherd Dogs (GSD) are highly intelligent, loyal, and friendly dogs. They make fantastic family pets, as they generally get along great with...

    More related

    Why Are Some Older Dogs Stressed by New Puppies? Vet-Verified Tips & Facts

    It’s a common belief that a puppy can keep an older dog feeling young. While that can be true, puppies can be a...

    5 Best Big Dogs for Apartments: Pictures, Facts & Size

    Dogs are great animals to share our lives and homes with. They love to cuddle, they can be fun and spunky, they can...

    Vizsla vs. Labrador: The Key Differences (With Info & Pictures)

    Both the Vizsla and the Labrador Retriever are popular hunting dogs and household pets. However, they have different personalities and temperaments that should...

    200+ Popular & Unique Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Names

    Congratulations! You’ve just welcomed a new puppy into the home. Now, what to name them? Chances are, you will want a name that...

    Keep reading

    9 Best Dog Foods for Nursing Dogs in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

    Feeding a nursing dog the best food possible is crucial for her health and the long-term well-being of her puppies. Mother dogs require special food designed to meet their nutritional needs while they are nursing. The ideal food is high...

    Litter of Small Breed Newborn Puppies Nursing on Their Mom

    Do Dogs Eat More Food in Winter? Vet-Verified Feeding Guide

    You may have noticed that your dog tends to eat more as the season grows colder, and you may be wondering if that is normal. Don’t worry; it is perfectly normal for dogs to be hungrier in the winter. As...

    close up of a dog eating from the bowl

    Can Dogs Eat Eel? Vet-Approved Feeding Facts

    Many dogs love fish, whether a fishy food formula or home-prepared salmon or herring. However, when it comes to less conventional types of fish, like eel, it can be hard to know what’s safe and what isn’t. In brief, common...

    Can Dogs Eat Eel

    Scrumbles Dog Food Review 2025: An Expert’s Breakdown

    * Save 15% With Subscribe & Save Searching for the perfect dog food can be a challenge. Sometimes you think you’ve got it, and a suddenly fussy dog turns his nose up at dinner, and you’re back to square one....

    DOG_SAPR_Scrumbles Dog Food

    Can Dogs Eat Black Beans? Vet-Verified Facts, Pros & Cons

    Black beans are a common side dish for many meals, and it’s hard to say no to our dog’s begging eyes. Whether you’re thinking of feeding them some or they stole a bite, you’re probably wondering whether black beans are...

    Can Dogs Eat Black Beans

    VeRUS Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons & Recalls

    Review Summary VeRUS (officially stylized as VēRUS) dog food is holistic dog food made from all-natural ingredients. It is formulated for active, high-energy dogs, with grain-free recipes and one made for overweight dogs. Its foods are enriched with omega-3 fatty...

    Dogster_VeRUS Dog Food Review

    Can Dogs Eat Kimchi? Vet-Approved Nutrition Facts

    Every day, you sit down at some point to munch on your food. As you move your hands for the first bite, you see your dog staring at you with those puppy eyes, begging for a taste. You have no...

    Can Dogs Eat_Kimchi

    11 Best Canned & Wet Dog Foods for Senior Dogs in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

    Senior dogs have unique dietary needs, just like humans. Depending on the size and breed of the dog, it may be considered “senior” after the age of five or seven. Each dog has unique nutritional needs according to its age,...

    Senior dog eating dog food