The smell of cat urine is the absolute worst and getting rid of it is a chore, to say the least. There are do's and don'ts for getting rid of the smell for good.
Owning a cat that urinates outside the box can be challenging and heartbreaking all at the same time. Many people are left not knowing what to do, on one hand there is the love for the cat but on the other how can one live in a house that smells of cat urine. Cat urine is a very difficult stain to clean up but I have compiled some tips and tricks that maybe of some assistance.
- Locate the stain - Get on your hands and knees and sniff around. If the stain is already dried it is going to be hard to find if you don't get down and dirty. To make it easier invest in a black light, urine will glow under a black light, then mark the stains to be cleaned.
- Blot, don't rub - Blot the wet stain with clean paper towels or an absorbent cloth. Never rub urine, you'll just be spreading the stain around.
- Apply weight to wet stain - Cover the stain with dry paper towels and stand on them for 30 seconds or more. The added weight will help soak up more urine. If the stain is already dry, wet it down with clean water then start the process.
- Rinse with warm water - Rinse the stain with warm water and blot (again). Cover the area with paper towels, stand on the towels for approximately 30 secs or more. This step will clean and soak up as much urine as possible before adding the enzymatic cleaner.
- Apply an enzymatic cleaner - Use a product that has "enzyme" in the label. Some products use detergents and fragrances that may mask the odor for humans but cats and dogs have a keen sense of smell and all the fragrances in the world will not fool them. Enzymes work by getting rid of the odor rather then masking it. The products I like include Urine Off (comes with a black light) and Natures Miracle. Test a concealed area of your carpet or upholstery with the cleaner before applying it to the stain.
- Cover area with foil - Generally the enzyme products need a chance to work and that means saturating the area and keeping it wet by covering the spot with aluminum foil. It is recommended to follow the label instructions closely so as not to ruin carpeting or upholstery.
- Try Feliway - Feliway is a product that mimics the cats facial pheromones. These pheromones are natural substances animals use for communication. Feliway is available as a diffuser or a spray and is meant to calm a stressed cat. (Many cats will spray or potty outside the box when stressed.)
- Avoid carpet shampoo - Using a detergent may counter act the enzymatic cleaner, so avoid the detergents and clean the carpets later.
- Additional tips - Don't use an ammonia based cleaners. Ammonia smells similar to urine, these products may attract the cat back to the same spot. Try citrus instead, cats hate the smell of citrus. It's tempting to rent a carpet shampooer, avoid this, steam cleaning the carpet will make the odors worse, not better. Imagine steam and heat coupled with a bad smell, not a good outcome.
If your cat is not using the litter box it may have a medical problem, please see your veterinarian immediately.
References: These tips were compiled from The Cat Site and ehow.
Related Articles: Cats With Behavior Problems, Cat Urinary Problems, Cat Litter Box Issues, and Cat Urine Issues
The copyright of the article Cat Urine Removal in Pet Care is owned by Charla Dawson. Permission to republish Cat Urine Removal in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
