Preventing Your Cat From Peeing On The Carpet
Even though you know how to get urine smells out of carpet, prevention is better than cure, and stopping your kitty from going outside the litter box is always going to be the best way forward. Here are our top tips:
-
Tackle the problem quickly â if you see your cat starting to pee put them straight on the litter.
-
Try multiple litter boxes in different locations.
-
Try different boxes â your cat might not like the box, the location of it â or both.
-
Try changing the litter â they could be put off by smell or texture.
-
Clean the litter box regularly â cats are clean creatures and wonât want to go in a dirty box.
-
Make sure you thoroughly clean any accidents, so theyâre not attracted to the smell in future.
-
Consult your vet if problems persist.
Once you know how to get cat urine smells out of carpet and prevent your kitty from peeing outside the litter, itâs much less of a problem. And always remember to wear gloves and protect your skin while cleaning!
Weâve shown you how to get urine out of carpet but if you have problems with pet smells, rather than stains, then our article on removing pet odours can help.
Originally published
How To Get Cat Pee Out Of Carpet
Here is a handy and concise guide with step-by-step instructions of the best way how to get cat pee out of carpet:
Health Or Medical Problems
Is your cat getting old? Is their peeing on your bed a recent development? If so, it could be that health problems are causing your cat to stop using their litterbox.
Famously, cats arent the best at telling us when theyre uncomfortable but if theyre unsettled or unwell, it can affect their behaviour in strange ways peeing in the house and not in their litterbox, for example.
Recommended Reading: Blue Buffalo Cat Wet Food
Do Cats Start Urinating Around The House Because Of Stress
Stress is another common reason why cats end up urinating around the home instead of in the litter tray. You may have spent lots of time training your cat to use a litter box in a certain place and, until now, they have followed through with this every day. But, something may have stressed them out and made them feel unsafe around the box. Or, perhaps the box is in a new location and they arent sure about it. It isnt uncommon for cats to resort to this sort of urination after moving house.
Why Is My Cat Peeing On The Carpet All Of A Sudden
If you come home to find that your cat has urinated on the carpet and this is out of character for them, there could be a medical reason. Something has stopped them from being able to go in the box, perhaps because of poor bladder control or because they were unable to reach the box. Urinary tract infections and kidney issues could be to blame. Take your cat into the vets office and let them know what has happened. The sooner you do so, the sooner the problem can be resolved. Also, make sure to mention any other symptoms such as blood in the urine, fatigue, or loss of appetite.
Read Also: Why Do Cats Scratch Around Their Water Bowls
Enzyme Cleaners And Oxygen Cleaners
The two primary types of pet stain removers are ones that contain either enzymes or oxygen. Both types of cleaners are out to achieve the same goal, which is to remove stains and odors, but they go about it in different ways. And, some cleaners even use a combination or hybrid of enzymes, oxygen, and other ingredients.
Enzyme-based cleaners utilize a bio-enzyme, which is a bacteria or protein that will actively break down and eliminate other bacteria, such as odors and stains. Enzyme cleaners can be very effective but can also take some time for them to work.
Oxydation cleaners use effervescent oxygen that has a more immediate reaction when coming into contact with a pet mess, causing the stain to dissipate more quickly. Though they can work very well, there is a risk of discoloring certain types of fabrics when used.
What Smells Deter Cats From Peeing
There are numerous smells that can deter cats from peeing.
Smells of citrus fruits can be effective at keeping cats from peeing. There we are looking at the smells of oranges, lemons, grapefruits and their extracts. These should be easy to obtain. But many people dont know about their efficacy. Most people wont mention them when asked the question on what smells deter cats from peeing.
Natural acids like vinegar also have scents that deter cats from urinating. The efficacy of vinegar is quite well known. Most of the people to whom the question on what smells deter cats from peeing are likely to mention vinegar.
Then there are the scents of essential oils cats dont like, and which can deter them from peeing. There we are looking at the likes of peppermint, cinnamon and eucalyptus.
All you have to do is inundate the area you want the cat to stop peeing with those scents. So you basically spray to stop cat from peeing. With such scents, the cat will be disinclined to step into the area.
Recommended Reading: Is Mayonnaise Good For Cats
Everything You Need To Know About Cat Urine In Carpet
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019
Ever walked into a house and been greeted by the pungent smell of cat urine? Lets just say…its not pleasant! If your cat has been treating your rugs and carpet as a litter box, you know all too well how bad cat pee can smell on carpet.
To clean up the mess, the solution is simple- PURT by Chem-Dry. We remove cat urine from carpet effectively, along with 99% of pet urine bacteria found in carpet. Booking a cleaning is sure to clean up old messes, so the next question is:
how do you stop the future ones?
Read below to find out why your cat could be urinating in the carpet instead of their litter box.
What Can I Do To Stop Them From Peeing In The Carpet
The first thing to do if your cat begins urinating outside the litter box is to make sure the litter is being cleaned regularly. If possible, do it daily.
Consider switching up the litter box style or the litter itself. If your cat frequents another part of the house to urinate on, move the litter box to that location if it suits the style of the room. Or, schedule a professional carpet cleaning to remove past stains. Cats can smell where they went before and may pee in the same spot again. Removing urine spots with PURT will eliminate the odor so your cat cant smell where they went before.
If your cat continues to go outside the box, it’s time to visit the vet. Only a professional will know how to help your cat.
As for helping your carpet you know who to call! We are carpet cleaning professionals that know how to remove pet urine odor for good! Cat urine is extremely pungent and the smell can last for years if not properly cleaned. Schedule today or call to say goodbye to cat urine odors and hello to clean carpets.
Also Check: Are String Of Hearts Toxic To Cats
Peeing Everywhere Means Take Your Cat To The Vet
If your cat is peeing everywhere, its time for a visit to the vet. This behavior isnt normal, and kitty is signaling that something is wrong. Cats are great at disguising tremendous pain from humans, but peeing outside the box is definitely something you will notice and take action on.
Your veterinarian will help you unravel the mystery of why your cat is peeing everywhere. The vet will likely check your cat for a urinary tract infection, bladder infection, kidney issues, diabetes, or a few other possible causes. Only a veterinarian can diagnose whether theres an underlying medical reason, so if you see your cat peeing outside the box, get out the cat carrier and bring her in.
The good news: if it is a medical cause, medications and sometimes dietary changes can get kitty feeling better soon. And most of the time, once the underlying condition is treated, cats resume their normal litter-trained habits.
If all of the medical tests come back clear, the pee problem may be behavioral or psychological.
How To Get Cat Pee Smell Out Of Carpet
Dealing with the smell of cat pee in your house is off-putting for everyone who lives there, let alone any visitors who want to come by. Luckily, you do not have to live with the smell of cat pee or expose your friends and family to the smell either. There are a few effective, quick, and easy ways to get a cat pee smell out of your carpet. These tactics typically work on fabrics of most types and furniture too. We hash out why cats might urinate on the carpet and what we can do about that smell when they do.
Don’t Miss: How Cold Can Cats Survive
Thoroughly Clean Up The Mess
Whether your vet determines that the problem is medical or behavioral, be sure to thoroughly clean all areas where your cat has peed outside the box. You want to be sure youve eliminated the odor, not just for your own sake, but also so the smell doesnt draw your cat back to that same spot.
You can use a black light and your nose to identify all the problem areas.
If you are dealing with fresh urine, first blot up as much as possible with paper or cloth towels. Next , pick the best cleaning method based on what has been soiled:
-
Bedding, clothing, towels, etc.: You can clean these in the washing machine using a cold cycle, and then hang them outside to dry.
-
Floors and other hard surfaces: Thoroughly clean with your favorite household cleaning solution or a pet stain and odor remover solution.
-
Rugs, carpets, mattresses and upholstery: These are best cleaned with an enzymatic or bacterial cleaner like Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats Stain and Odor Remover, but make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions to maximize the effectiveness.
Image:Olesya Kuznetsova/Shutterstock
Clean The Carpet By Using Vinegar
With this method, you need to mix vinegar and water with a one-to-one ratio or equal amounts in a mixture. This means that if you will use a cup of vinegar, mix it with a cup of water. After mixing, you can put it in a spray bottle and spritz on the spot you want to clean. Let it seep through for a minute, then use paper towels to blot it off the carpet. Continue blotting until the spot is dry. Repeat spraying the vinegar solution and then blotting until you got the cat urine smell out of the carpet.
You can use the vinegar mixture after you have used enzymatic cleaners, if the cleaner did not completely eliminate the offensive odor.
Warning: You should be careful when using vinegar because it can ruin a carpet, depending on the material. It is best to test a hidden spot first and see if the vinegar would not damage your carpet.
Read Also: Blue Buffalo Healthy Gourmet Cat Food Review
Clean The Carpet By Using Plain Old Soap And Water
This method is probably the most straightforward way to get cat urine out of the carpet. Just wet the area with water and pour as much or as little as you think you need of the soap of your choice. A preferable choice to get cat urine smell out of the carpet is dish soap. A lot of people swear by its effectiveness in getting rid of that offensive odor.
How To Stop Your Cat Toileting Indoors
Once your cat has toileted or sprayed in a certain place, their sensitive nose encourages them to use that place again. The best way to break the habit is to keep them away from the area for as long as possible and clean the area thoroughly so they cant smell any scent.
Once you have cleaned up, you can try other techniques to make sure your cat is as comfortable as possible weeing and pooing where youd like them to.
Also Check: How To Make Cats Stop Scratching Doors
Litter Or The Litter Box May Be Lead To Peeing Outside The Box
The least worrisome reason why a cat may be peeing outside the litter box is a fault with the litter or the box itself. Something may have happened that makes the box unappealing to your kitty, and they dont want to use it. Consider:
- Is the litter box in need of scooping or a complete change? Cats do not like using a dirty box and may choose to go elsewhere.
- Did you change the type of litter you were using? Some cats are flexible but others have definite preferences for texture or scent.
- Can your cat reach the litter box? Did something obstruct it, or is your cat no longer able to easily jump through the opening due to age or weight gain?
- Did you change the location of the litter box? Kitty may not like where it now is.
- Did something happen in or near the litter box that spooked your cat? Consider if something fell, they were ambushed by another animal, or there was a loud, unexpected noise while they were in it. Your cat may associate the litter box with a lack of safety and privacy now and not want to use it.
A first attempt at solving a cat peeing outside of the litter box problem is to address any of these issues. Empty and clean out the litter box and refill with a litter your cat prefers. ARM & HAMMER Clump & Seal Litter is used by millions of cat parents and minimizes the smell of cat urine and feces, making the box more pleasant for you and kitty.
To Help Prevent Future Cat Pee Incidents Keep A Clean Litter Box
To avoid future rogue cat pee incidents, be sure to keep a clean litter box. Kitties loathe a dirty litter box and some cats are more particular than others. If your cat continues to pee outside of its box for no apparent reason , consider taking it to the vet for a check-up as there may be underlying behavioral or health issues.
Recommended Reading: Blue Buffalo Weight Control Cat Food
The Dangers Of Residual Animal Urine In Carpets
If you have ever had a puppy, then you understand that housebreaking can certainly take some time and work. Unfortunately, animals can and will have accidents on floors from time to time, but it is essential that you clean the urine from your carpets immediately in order to avoid some potentially serious effects on your health. Below, you can discover some of the potential damage that animal urine in carpets can cause.
#1 The Ammonia Odor
The most noticeable effect of animal urine in carpets is the strong smell of ammonia. Although all urine contains some amount of ammonia, it is especially concentrated in cat urine. Whats more, once a pet urinates on the carpet, if it is not cleaned thoroughly and immediately the water in the urine evaporates, leaving behind even more concentrated ammonia. This can have a tremendous negative effect on people who have COPD, asthma, or emphysema, and it may even cause allergies.
#2 The Growth of Bacteria and Other Microorganisms
#3 The Potential for Dangerous Mold
#4 The Expense of Replacing a Rotting Subfloor
How Do You Discipline A Cat For Peeing Outside The Litter Box
First of all, you need to understand why the cat is peeing outside the litter box. Could it be that you have let the litter box become too dirty for him to use? Or could the dog be suffering from medical conditions that make it hard for him to use the litter box?
If you do find the cat peeing outside of the litter box, the best you can do is show disapproval. But dont hit the cat or otherwise try to make him pay for it. The cats mind wont see the connection between what he has done and the punishment he is receiving. So by attempting to punish a cat for peeing outside the litter box, you would only be tiring yourself.
Your main focus should be on getting the cat to stop peeing outside the litter box. It should be a two-pronged approach. First where you make the litter box more attractive for the cat to pee in. And secondly where you make it unattractive for the cat to pee outside the litter box.
You May Like: Swollen Kitten Paw
Final Verdict On What Smells Deter Cats From Peeing
If you have a problem of cats peeing in inappropriate spaces, you can use scents to address the issue. There are actually many scents you can use to deter cats from peeing.
From essential oils scents to citrus fruit extract scents and onto scents of substances like vinegar, the options are many. What you decide to use to deter cats from peeing will depend on what is easily available to you.
It will also depend on whether the cats you want to deter from peeing are yours or not. That is because some scents not only deter cats from peeing, but could also chase the cats away for good.