Few things are more confusing than a house that smells like cat pee when you’ve never owned a cat. The smell is real, and it usually has a findable source. Here are the most common causes, starting with the one to rule out first.
First, Rule Out an Electrical Problem
An overheating outlet, switch or wire can give off a sharp smell that some people describe as urine or fish. Check for warm or discolored outlet covers, flickering lights or a breaker that trips. If you find any of those, stop using that circuit and call a licensed electrician. If you see smoke or the smell is getting stronger, get out and call 911. See burning smell in the house and fish smell in the house.
7 Common Causes
- A previous owner’s or tenant’s pets. Old urine in carpet pad, subfloor, baseboards or grout can sit quiet for months and then come back strong on humid days, after mopping, or after carpet cleaning. This is the most common cause in a home you recently moved into. See the house smells after moving in.
- Mice or rats. Rodent urine has a strong, musky, ammonia-like smell, often in cabinets, the garage or the attic. See mouse or rat urine smell.
- A neighborhood cat outside. Outdoor cats sometimes spray near doors, windows, AC units and lanai screens, and the smell drifts in.
- The bathroom. Urine around the base of the toilet, under the seat hinges or in the grout is one of the most overlooked sources. A failing wax ring can also cause smells. See why does my bathroom smell?
- Plants near the windows. Boxwood shrubs are well known for a smell many people compare to cat urine. Check what’s planted near open doors and AC intakes.
- Cleaning products. Ammonia-based cleaners can leave a urine-like smell, especially on carpet. See why your house smells like ammonia.
- Moisture and mold. Some people describe mold and mildew smells as sharp or urine-like rather than musty. If the smell is stronger in one room, after rain or when the AC runs, look for moisture. See what does mold smell like?
How to Find It
- Use a UV (black light) flashlight at night. Old urine usually glows on carpet, baseboards and the bottom of walls.
- Get down low. Smell along baseboards, carpet edges and corners, where pets usually went.
- Look for droppings in cabinets, drawers and the garage.
- Notice when it’s worse. Worse on humid days points to old urine or moisture. Worse near windows or doors points outside.
How to Get Rid of It
For old pet urine, treat each spot with an enzyme cleaner deep enough to reach where it soaked. Badly soaked carpet pad often has to be replaced, and the subfloor cleaned and sealed. Full steps: how to get rid of dog and cat urine smell and how to remove pet odor from your whole house. For rodents, call pest control first. If you suspect moisture, we offer a free visual inspection with moisture readings and an infrared (thermal) camera. Lab testing is separate if it’s needed. Florida licenses: Mold Assessor MRSA4035, Mold Remediator MRSR4158.
When the Smell Is Through the Whole House
Once the sources are found and cleaned, a urine smell left by previous pets can still linger in the air and AC system. Our whole-home odor removal treatment treats the air throughout the entire home, including one AC system and an attached garage. You’ll be out for about 8 hours. It’s an odor treatment only. It doesn’t fix wiring, remove rodents or remove mold, so the source always comes first. Smell something different? See our smell-by-smell guide.
Whole-Home Odor Removal in South Florida: $997
Our Whole-Home Odor Removal Treatment is $997 and includes one AC system ($550 for each additional AC unit). You can buy and schedule it online, or call 877-224-2532 to request a free visual inspection. We answer 24/7; when you call, we’ll tell you honestly when a technician can be there based on that day’s schedule. Hablamos español.
About the author: James Rice-Peña is the owner of FL Cleanup and a Florida-licensed Mold Assessor (MRSA4035) and Mold Remediator (MRSR4158). He has worked in property restoration in South Florida since 2012, and FL Cleanup has earned 200+ five-star Google reviews.
