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

Written by: Patricia Dickson

Last Updated on March 14, 2025 by Dogster Team

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.

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    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.

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    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!

    To talk to a vet online now, click on the image or button below:

    PangoVet mention dogster

    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

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