Do you feel like your whole house smells like a litter box? Getting rid of cat odors in carpets and furniture is key to getting your house to smell fresh and clean. How to get rid of cat pee smell and how to get cat pee smell out of clothes are common challenges. How do you go about truly removing cat odor and not just covering it up? The key is knowing a little science behind the smell.
Why Cat Urine Is So Potent
Cat urine contains uric acid, which can last in carpets, fabrics and wood for years! Although baking soda, vinegar, soap, and hydrogen peroxide may neutralize the odors temporarily, a humid day can cause the uric acid to recrystallize, and the infamous "cat odor" will return. The only way to destroy the uric acid is to use an enzyme cleaner, according to TheCatSite.com. The affected areas on the carpet or fabrics need to be soaked in cat pee enzyme cleaner and allowed to air-dry completely. The enzymes break the uric acid into gasses, and through natural drying, the gasses evaporate, leaving your carpet and fabrics smelling fresh again. Enzyme cleaners can be found online, at pet stores and at most grocery stores.
Tasty Tips
How to Clean Cat Urine
Whether your cat recently urinated on a surface in your home or you have old stains and odor, it's important to address the mess with some strategy. Here are some basic guidelines to get you started
- Use an old towel to blot and absorb as much urine as possible as soon as you find a spot.
- Let an enzyme cleaner sit on the stained area for a few hours and dry naturally.
- Put a laundry basket over the area while it's being treated to keep kitty away from the cleaner.
- Open windows and run fans to keep the airflow moving and help odors leave your house.
- Try to identify why your cat is having accidents (urinary issues, stress, change in routine). A visit to the veterinarian will help rule out possible medical causes for this behavior.
Cleaning the area thoroughly with vinegar first and then applying an enzyme treatment will break down and evaporate the uric acid and your home will be free of cat odors. Vinegar and enzyme cleaners work on all surfaces: hardwood floors, carpets, and mattresses. But remember, all types of flooring and fabrics can be affected differently by cleaners, so always test a small area before doing any treatment.
A key tip on how to remove cat urine smell, however, is to never use a steam cleaner or heat on cat urine stains or spots, petMD warns. It can set the stain and make it more difficult to remove. If you have steam-cleaned rugs or mattresses already be sure to do the enzyme treatment a few times. Strong odors usually linger in fabrics and carpets longer and may need a few treatments.
The most effective way to neutralize a cat urine smell is with an enzyme cleaner.
Cat food for a tidier litter box. Need we say more?
If you have an indoor cat, consider an indoor-oriented meal. Like our Science Diet Indoor Adult 11+ dry cat food. Specially formulated to fuel the energy needs of cats with an indoor lifestyle. With natural fiber that supports digestive health that make litter box clean-up easy.
Cat food for a tidier litter box. Need we say more?
If you have an indoor cat, consider an indoor-oriented meal. Like our Science Diet Indoor Adult 11+ dry cat food. Specially formulated to fuel the energy needs of cats with an indoor lifestyle. With natural fiber that supports digestive health that make litter box clean-up easy.
Preventing Cat Odors
Now that you know how to remove cat urine smell, the best way to keep cat smells from overtaking your house is to avoid them in the first place. Keep the litter box clean and add baking soda to help absorb odors. If your cat seems to be missing the litter box regularly, you should take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Some medical concerns can influence this behavior and a veterinarian can help you determine how to address it. You can also take the opportunity to discuss gradually transitioning them to a food that helps support the health of the whole urinary system with controlled urinary pH and low magnesium.
Now that you know how to remove cat urine smell, the best way to keep cat smells from overtaking your house is to avoid them in the first place. Keep the litter box clean and add baking soda to help absorb odors. If your cat seems to be having urinary stress issues (which cause them to have accidents) or is constantly throwing up hairballs all over your house, consider gradually transitioning them to a food that helps reduce hairballs and urinary issues.
Most animal smells in your home may be due to bodily fluids, but it is also important to not let cat hair pile up in your home; this can lead to cat odor as well. To easily remove cat hair from upholstery, mix some fabric softener with water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the surface. After spraying the surface, use dampened rubber gloves to scoop up and remove the cat hair.
Once you have your house smelling fresh and clean, you can usually keep it that way by providing your cat with healthy food, a clean litter box, and regular brushing. Talk to your veterinarian about possible environmental changes that may make using the litter box more desirable for your cat. If you need a temporary quick fix and use things such as air fresheners, make sure they are safe for pets, so as to not create more problems than when you started.
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Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.