lingering pet urine odor after travel

April 29, 2024 8:46 PM

I can't find where the dog pee is, but I can sure smell it! Details inside.

I went out of town for 3 days, left my dog at home with friends walking/feeding him. They didn't notice any accidents, but now I'm back and my small apartment (luckily hard wood floors, not carpet) smells strongly like dog pee!

Things I've tried:

*spraying Nature's Miracle and Angry Orange all over, with special attention to the areas where he used to have accidents as a puppy
*sweeping & then mopping the floor (although I'm not the best at this chore)
*turning my air purifier up to the highest setting and letting it run all day/night
*vacuuming/spraying the couch (the only soft furniture item)
*incense, diffusers, scented candles
*opening windows all day/night
*washed his bed, blanket, and pillows in washing machine (they all smell fine)
*washed his crate (also smells fine)

He hasn't had any new accidents as I've been home with him all day since, so the odor is from when I was away. I have no idea how to find it. I used a blacklight to search for stains but there weren't any visible.

What else can I do? I'm having pro house cleaners come later in the week but I'm WFH until then.

posted by cboggs to Pets & Animals (5 answers total)

A dog I was dog sitting once climbed up in a chair and peed on a jacket that was sitting on that chair, and I didn't figure out the source of the pee smell until 2 days later when I, regrettably, wore the jacket.

tl;dr look higher
posted by phunniemee at 8:51 PM on April 29 [3 favorites]

Wash the dog, wash or discard the leash. He might have peed on himself or on the leash.
posted by shock muppet at 1:12 AM on April 30 [3 favorites]

I think a small black light can help you to find urine stains. Something like this.
posted by Archer25 at 7:19 AM on April 30 [3 favorites]

(OP has already used a black light.)

Stop using air fresheners and close your windows for a few hours and then do a careful walkthrough to see if you can isolate an area where it's stronger. If the odor seems "general" and not stronger in one area or another, I agree with the earlier advice to wash the dog.
posted by MagnificentVacuum at 2:58 PM on April 30

Seconding shock muppet. If applicable, double-check: the back of the entry door, curtain hems, furniture legs, toys, bathroom mat, shower curtain, radiators, closet floors, objects on low shelves, and any areas he can fit behind or beneath (sofa, bed, ___).
posted by Iris Gambol at 4:58 PM on April 30 [1 favorite]