It May Not Be Pee At All
However, if you are lucky, the smell you are detecting may not actually be cat pee at all. Just as certain plants can smell heavily of cat pee, certain chemical compounds give off an odor that is similar in smell to cat pee. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/boxwood-has-bad-odor.htm
The type of plastic that is often used as a vapor-barrier when wrapping the foundations of houses, or while insulating attics and basement, can off-gas with a cat pee like smell. https://crawlspaceninja.com/crawl-space-repair/crawl-space-cat-urine-smell-causes/
Try asking a few other people with fresh noses to sniff around your home, and tell you honestly what they think. You have to get down and dirty for thison your hands and knees, as close to the floor as possible, and keep sniffing until you find the area that seems to be the worst. You can also use a black light when it is completely dark, and look for glowing yellowy-green spots or splatters .
If urine is detected, consult the Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Cat Pee from your Floors, as different types of flooring require different solutions. One thing all floor cleaning has in common is that you will need an enzyme based cleaner that is specially designed to fight cat urine.
Grooming And Maintaining Your Cat
Vinegar And Baking Soda
You probably have two very useful cat-pee-fighting products already in your home: vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar can be used on hardwood floors, carpets and mattresses, and then followed-up with an enzymatic cleaner. Be sure to test a small section of the floor or fabric before using any product to make sure the material wont be affected. Mixing one part vinegar and one part water is a great way to clean hard surfaces like floors and walls.
If your cat has sprayed your clothing or bedding, wash the items separately in the hottest allowable temperature recommended by the manufacturer. Add detergent plus a quarter-cup white vinegar to your washers bleach dispenser. Alternatively, you can add a half-cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine with the fabrics.
Sprinkle baking soda on soft surfaces like carpets and cushions after cleaning them. Let the baking soda sit and dry, and then vacuum it up.
Also Check: Are Money Plants Toxic To Cats
/ How To Get Rid Of Cat Odor In The Air
Air freshener must be used sparingly with cats in the home. Cats have sensitive noses and may find the spray too potent. Cats may also be allergic to a canned air freshener. If your cat displays the following symptoms, cease usage:
- Coughing or sneezing
- Streaming from the eyes or nose
- Excessive scratching
Air freshener is not a permanent solution to feline odors. You will simply be masking the scent of cats, not removing it.
Essential Oils And Scented Candles
These will create a softer aroma in your home. Keep these in a safe location, where a cat cant knock them over. Cats become stressed by smells they dislike. If you force a cat to live in an uncomfortable environment, it will become increasingly anxious. Scents that most cats find agreeable include:
- Lavender
- Helichrysum
- Opaiba
Again, these aromas will not single-handedly stop your home from smelling of cats. Eventually, they will mix in with the natural feline smell. However, they give you time to work on the cause of the bad aroma.
Natural Air Fresheners
Baking soda is a natural, cat-safe alternative to store-bought scent diffusers. In addition, it is effective at absorbing unwanted scents in the air.
Put some baking soda into an open vessel, such as a mason jar. Leave this somewhere prominent in a room with cat smells as the aroma will be drawn to the baking soda. You can change the supply every other day.
Air Filters And Air Purification
Why Can We Smell
Neuroscientists say humans can distinguish 10,000 scents, though we dont have names for a lot of them.
Our sense of smellthe olfactory sensebrings depth and emotional richness to daily life. Think about the feelings and memories that flow when you catch a whiff of fresh-cut grass or lilacs in bloom, bury your face in a sun-dried bed sheet just off the line, or enter the kitchen just as a cinnamon-rich apple pie emerges from the oven.
Our olfactory system also alerts us to potential dangers: spoiled food, rot and decay, harmful molds. Most American homes contain a variety of sprays, plug-ins, stick-ons, scented candles, and other products designed to mask or remove bad odors. However, many people suffer allergic reactions to the fragrances in some of these products, and some air fresheners even contain toxins.
Yet a few inexpensive household essentials you probably have on hand alreadyvinegar, salt, coffee, baking soda, hydrogen peroxidewill neutralize most noxious odors around your home and in your vehicles.
You May Like: Is Blue Buffalo A Good Cat Food
Stink Free Deep Clean Cat Urine And Odor Remover
Stink Free is how to get rid of cat pee smell and stains at my house. This oxidation formula, containing five strong cleaning agents, works as well as the enzyme cleaners but has a relatively neutral odor that disappears quickly. Be sure to read the directionsthere are some good tips for increasing effectiveness and recommend cleaning the area with plain water a few days later to remove any excess product.
Where Cat Pee Can Be Hiding:
When you removed the carpet, did you also take out the foam under padding? This material is like a big sponge that sits between your carpet and the subfloor. When urine soaks into the carpet, it also soaks into the under padding, except it is more difficult to clean out of this layer because you do not have physical access to it.
And when the pee gets through to this foam layer, it usually soaks through to the next layer, which is the actual subfloor . Did you remove this as well?
And the baseboard? If the cat was spraying against the walls, the baseboard will have likely become saturated with cat pee and could be holding the smell and should be replaced. And lastly the walls themselves, if they have been peed on the drywall or sheetrock could have soaked in some urine as well.
Yes, removing cat pee from a home is more than just cleaning or replacing the carpet. This is why when you are selling your home and you have had animals, you can easily lose thousands of dollars as part of the final price negotiations. The new owners expect that they will have to spend quite a bit of money to get rid of anything that the pet may have peed, pooped or puked on.
Don’t Miss: Why Does My Cat Shake In His Sleep
Why Cats Pee Outside The Box
Litter box issues can be frustrating, especially when they result in a stinky cat pee smell. Most often, when your cat pees outside of their box its a sign that somethings amiss. According to the Humane Society of the United States, the most common reasons a cat stops using the litter box include:
- Environmental factors such as a dirty litter box, upsetting noises, or a perceived threat from another cat in the household. A cat may be objecting to a new type of litter or having their litter box moved to a different location. Some cats hate change, and peeing is how they let you know.
- Cats spray on vertical surfaces to leave their scent, especially if they havent been spayed or neutered. Some fixed cats will also mark. Marking is more common if your cat is having territory issues with a new cat or person in the house.
- Medical issues. Inappropriate elimination could be signs that your cat has a urinary tract infection, blockage, kidney problems, or diabetes. It could also mean that the cat has arthritis, and a formerly easy-to-use litter box is now uncomfortable.
- Stress/anxiety. If your cat feels anxious, they may pee outside the box to let you know.
If you suddenly find cat pee outside of the litter box, start by calling the vet. Urinary tract problems wont clear up on their own. Even if you suspect your cat is stressed out or marking, and its a behavioral issue, its important to rule out medical causes.
Outside The Litter Box
You may not realize your cat is choosing somewhere other than the litter box to do his business until you stumble upon face-melting stench behind the TV, for example. Your cat may be marking his territory by spraying or might not be happy with the litter box situation.
Do a check of your carpets, walls, and furniture to make sure your cat has not been marking them or using them as his potty spot. Use an enzymatic cleaner to clean the targeted items or simply toss them in the garbage.
And, by the way, if your cat is peeing or pooping outside the box, take him to the vet. This behavior can be a symptom of many medical issues.
Don’t Miss: Bird’s Nest Fern Poisonous To Cats
Did I Say Box I Meant Boxes
It’s best to have at least one box for each cat and to have at least one on every floor of your house. they also have to be fairly large so Kitty will feel comfortable moving around and trying to bury her leavings.
The box should be twice as long as an adult cat and wide as the cat is long. A kitten can do with an inch or so of the litter but an adult cat needs two or three inches. Don’t use plastic liners. They snag on Kitty’s claws and urine seeps in, defeating the purpose.
Are self cleaning automatic litter boxes worth it? They’re a bit on the small side and some cats are a bit skittish about using something with moving parts. But other than this they have proven to be very helpful in a cat parents life.
Is Smelling Cat Pee Bad
Smelling cat pee is bad for a reason, it is waste. It is natures way of telling us that is not to be consumed or messed with. The problem with it is it doesnt take much to cause a big smell in your home.
The biggest issue is when the cat pee has been left or undetected for a long period of time. This can then become even harder to get rid of. When the pee gets dried in it crystallizes and causes an even worse smell.
Read Also: How Many Calories Should A Cat Eat
Bubbas Cleaner To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell And Stains
This is another great enzymatic cleaner option, especially for upholstered furniture. Be sure to let the enzyme solution soak into the cat pee spot and sit for a while before you blot up the excess. Then, leave it to dry completely. If youre cleaning a couch or chair with removable cushions, take the cushion outside to dry in the sun.
Because cushions can take a long time to dry, its important to keep them protected from further pee attacks. To discourage your cat from returning to the scene of the pee crime, cover cushions with aluminum foil. Most cats hate the feel and sound of foil and will avoid walking on it.
Why Does My Cat Smell Like Urine
A common cause behind urine odor is a urinary tract infection. If its accompanied by the following symptoms, have your cat seen by a vet:
- More frequent trips to the litter box than usual
- Crying out while going
- Cat cleans its bottom area more frequently than usual
One thing to keep in mind is that UTIs are most common in cats that are overweight and get little exercise. At the same time, when cats carry extra bulk, its more difficult to reach everything during grooming, leading to unpleasant litter box scents lingering on your cats fur. If your cat needs help, read our tips to help your cat lose weight the healthy way.
You May Like: Is Dwarf Umbrella Tree Poisonous To Cats
Introduce More Litter Trays
You can also add more litter trays to your home. If you have too few trays, it means that the litter itself is likely being overloaded with urine and feces. It also means that your cats are pushing the litter around and agitating any solids or liquids that have settled in the litter.
It is generally advised that you have one litter tray per cat, plus at least one extra, but you can add extra trays to ensure that your cats have enough toilets for regular use.
/ Remove And Clean Out Dirty Cat Litter
Litter is one of the main contributors to cat smells in the home. When we consider what cats do in the litter tray, this is hardly surprising. Your cats litter must be changed and cleaned out regularly.
You could get a scented litter to improve the smell. Many cats will reject this, though, as they can be fussy about where they poop and pee. A standard absorbent litter works fine, but scoop it out immediately after usage.
At least once a week, give the box a thorough clean with an odor-neutralizing agent. Ensure this scent passes before returning it. You will likely need multiple litter trays in the home as your cat will always need easy access to at least one. Where you place these trays will also have a significant impact on the freshness of your home.
Change The Location of Trays
A spare room is ideal for a litter tray, especially if it has a window for the cat to view the outside world. The cats scent will then be restricted to one location. This window can be left slightly open for airing as long as youre not too high up. Avoid leaving trays in spaces like the kitchen and living room as these are the areas that you will frequent the most.
The bathroom can also be a good place for litter trays, provided that moisture levels are managed. You may need a dehumidifier in your bathroom, or the litter will clump up.
Select Suitable Litter Trays
Recommended Reading: Why Does My Cat Shake While Sleeping
Why Cat Pee Stinks
Why is cat pee so smelly and stubborn? According to the folks at PetMD, cat pee isnt all that different from other animal urines. But it tends to sit undiscovered for a while, and as the bacteria in the urine decomposes, it gives off a strong ammonia-like odor. At a certain point, as urine breaks down, it begins to give off mercaptansthe same compounds you find in skunk spray. Yuck.
You are likely to get a stronger smell with older cats, whose kidneys dont process urine as well, and with unneutered male cats, whose urine includes hormones.
Why Does My Cats Farts Smell Like Eggs
So, why does my cats farts smell like eggs? No one likes a bad smell, especially if its coming from their beloved pets. Every living thing, including your cat, has to experience flatulence from time to time. What is that, you ask?
Well, its simply another term for farting, which refers to the removal of unwanted intestinal gases using your anus. Bacteria in the stomach are what produces the smells that come from those intestinal gases.
If your cat farts from time to time dont worry, thats perfectly normal, however, if your notice it keeps doing that all the time then you might want to check out what the possible causes for that are.
Recommended Reading: How Long Can Wet Cat Food Stay Out
Masking Pet Urine Odor Doesnt Help
Air sprays, fabric sprays, candles and essential oils dont solve the problem. These agents just mask the smell of the ammonia or mercaptans. Once the masking agent dissipates, you are left with the urine odor.
You reapply the masking agent as a temporary fix, but it disintegrates and the smell returns. Its an endless cycle because making the odor doesnt solve the problem with the odor. It just hides it. To get rid of the smell of cat urine in your house you must treat it at the source. And, you must treat it properly.
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 enzyme cleaner and allowed to air-dry completely. The enzymes break the uric acid into gases, and through natural drying, the gases evaporate, leaving your carpet and fabrics smelling fresh again. Enzyme cleaners can be found online and at most grocery stores.
Don’t Miss: Blue Wilderness Soft Moist Cat Treats