How to get rid of cat pee smell
Cats make great lifelong companions, and as they go through different life stages, sometimes they pee on things. One of the biggest challenges cat owners have is dealing with occasional issues with cat urine odor. Cat urine has a powerful smell that can get into fabrics and carpets and be difficult to get rid of. If you have a cat that is peeing outside the litterbox, there are a few things you can do to help the cat’s behavior as well as clean the urine and get rid of the cat pee smell.
Quick cleaning
Sometimes you don’t have time for a deep cleaning, but it’s best to stop a urine stain and get rid of cat pee odor quickly. Here’s how to get rid of cat pee smell quickly.
The first step is to clean up the area where the cat has urinated. This includes anything that the urine may have come into contact with, such as carpet, furniture, or nearby walls. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to soak up as much urine as possible. Then, use a pet-safe enzyme cleaner to remove any remaining urine and stains.
If your cat pees outside the litter box often, have paper towels and a spray bottle handy with a cleaner like vinegar, hot water, or cold water for quick cleaning. Quickly soak, blot, and rinse the surfaces until you can get back for deep enzyme-based cleaning. It will take about 30 minutes for the carpet to air dry.
Deep cleaning
If the pet urine smell persists, you may need to do a deep clean. This involves using a steam cleaner or enzyme cleaner to break down the molecules in the urine and get rid of the ammonia smell. It’s important to test any enzyme cleaners in an inconspicuous area before using them on the entire carpet, couch, or other pieces of furniture.
Bissel offers a great line of pet cleaning products for your home. Whether you have a new cat or a repeat offender, I highly recommend the Bissel Portable Cleaner, a cleaning device that comes in handy for plenty of other messes.
Natural Cleaning Products For Cat Urine Smell
There are a number of natural products that can be used to get rid of the smell of cat pee. Two common natural cat pee cleaning products are white vinegar (not apple cider vinegar) and baking soda.
To use white vinegar, mix it with water in a 1:1 ratio and spray it on the affected area. Let it soak for a few minutes before blotting it up with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Baking soda can be used as a natural urine odor absorber and enzymatic cleaner. Sprinkle baking soda on the affected area and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up. It’s a bit messy, but it does work well.
Club soda is also another DIY solution option that helps clean cat urine smell from carpets and couches.
Avoid chlorine bleach unless you want to stain your upholstery a bleach color!
Cat Pee Prevention
The best way to get rid of cat urine smell is to prevent the cat from urinating outside the litter box in the first place. There are a number of things you can do to discourage your cat from urinating around the house, but it’s usually best to address their underlying issue first.
It’s a great idea to evaluate the litter boxes and litter situation. Some cats are particular of size, location, and the number of litter boxes, and other cats are picky about the type of litter. Most cat experts say you need to have one litter box per cat, plus 1, and the litter boxes should be spaced throughout the house.
It’s important to provide cats with a clean litter box that has clean litter and an inviting space. The litter box should be in a quiet area of the house where the cat feels safe. It should also be big enough for the cat to move around in and deep enough that the litter doesn’t get scattered outside of it.
We recommend a 6 inch tall stainless steel litter box. It’s easy to clean, and all our cats like it. Cats hate a dirty litter box and are more likely to find a clean alternative, like a pile of your clean clean clothes.
Another option is to get a cat deterrent spray. These sprays contain scents that deter cats from urinating in certain areas. You can use them around the perimeter of the house or in specific areas where you don’t want the cat to urinate. This may help with male cats who tend to mark their territory.
If you have a cat that is new to indoor life, you may need to train the cat to pee in the litter box. This takes patience and consistency, but it can be effective. Start by confining the cat to a small area, such as a bathroom, with everything it needs, including a litter box. Then, gradually increase the size of the area over time. If the cat does urinate outside of the litter box, clean up the mess immediately and provide positive reinforcement when the cat uses the litter box. You can also find more natural cat litter, like Oko cat, which resembles outdoor natural cat litter materials.
How To Prevent The Cat From Returning To The Same Spot
Once you have cleaned the area of cat urine stains, there are a few things you can do to prevent the cat from urinating there again.
One option is to use a product that emits a scent that deters cats. These products are available at pet stores and online.
Another option is to place double-sided tape or aluminum foil in the area. The smell and texture of these materials will deter most cats from urinating there again.
How To Stop A Fixed Cat From Marking
There are a few things you can do to stop a fixed cat from marking territory. One thing that will help prevent inappropriate urination is to keep your cat indoors only. This will help to reduce the urge to mark territory.
Sometimes, outdoor male cats tend to mark your house and drive your indoor cats crazy. Your best bet here is to clean the outside marked areas and introduce new odors to the area to prevent the cat from marking outside again. Get rid of dried urine stains and the lingering smell with a good cleaning process. Here are a few cat repellents and deterrents that should do the trick.
Another option is to get a litter box that is larger than the standard size. This will give the cat more room to do their business and may help to reduce the urge to mark territory.
Finally, you can try using a pheromone diffuser. This emits a scent that makes cats feel calm and relaxed. It may help to reduce the desire to mark territory.
Medical or Behavioral issues
In some cases, the reason a cat is urinating inside the house is due to a medical condition. If you think this may be the case, take the cat to the veterinarian for an examination. If your cat is urinating more frequently than usual, it’s also important to take them to the vet to rule out any medical issues, such as kidney disease, which is a common feline medical problem.
If you’re dealing with a behavioral issue, it’s also important to work with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist to find a solution. You can also research cat behavioral issues online or in books to get some ideas that are specific to your cat.
Why Is It So Hard To Get Cat Pee Smell Out?
Cat urine contains a high level of ammonia, which is why it smells so strong. Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, and it’s very corrosive. This means that it can break down materials like carpet and fabric, making it difficult to get rid of the smell, and may smell worse over time.
Enzymatic cleaners and cool water are the best options for removing cat urine because they break down the ammonia into nitrogen and water. This makes the smell weaker and less likely to come back. However, it’s important to read the instructions on the cleaner before using it. Some cleaners need to be left in the area for a few hours or even overnight in order to work properly.
How To Test For Remaining Cat Pee Smell
When you’ve been cleaning pee for a while, cat pee is all you can smell. There are a few ways you can tell if you got it all. First, get a black light. Turn off all the lights in the room and turn on the black light. Shine it over the area where you think the pee is, and look for any fluorescent spots.
Second, use someone else’s nose. If they can smell it, then you probably missed a spot! If you’ve been dealing with unpleasant odors for a while, it might be hard for you to notice their absence.
Conclusion
Dealing with a cat’s urine can be challenging, but it’s important to take action quickly to get rid of the smell. By taking some time to clean up the area with enzyme based cleaners, you can deter your cat from urinating there again, and you can keep your home smelling fresh and clean. If your older cats frequently go outside the litter box, it might be time to contact your veterinarian for a checkup.
