Expert: Walter Hintz - 9/17/2009

Question
I was wondering if you could help us.  We love my husbands sister, whom just recently became widowed, but she has two dogs in her home that seem to use the restroom all over her carpets.  When you enter her home you are immediately hit with this overwhelming odor.  It quickly begins to make you have a headache, and soon after you become sick to your stomach, even leading to vomiting.  You can see on the carpets in her home the stains where they have peed and feel it on the soles of your shoes.  She knows that it smells because there are many air freshening products also going at the same time, which I am sure doesn't help in the mix.  We love her so much, and are concerned with her health of continuing to live in this environment.  One of the dogs is a Pom and the other a Pug, which also leaves a lovely layer of fur everywhere.  My question being is or could it be harmful to my sister-in-law or others to live in this kind of environment.  We are trying to figure out how to talk with her about this subject, and show her this in unhealthy.  Can you please help?

Thanks so much!!

Sharon Fry

Answer
I can certainy tell you that this environment is unhealthy but solving teh poblem is another matter.Since I do not know your sister in law I cannot know how she reacts to things like this. My only suggestion is to come right out tell her.  You can always say that you consulted a biologist who told you her health was endangered