When a cat has started urinating outside his litter box you must first and foremost figure out why he has changed behaviors. If you don’t alter this new activity you can clean until the cows come home and your cat will continue to urinate in any place other than the litter box.
- Number one on the list is determining whether your cat is ill. Male cats have a tendency towards urinary blockages, making peeing extremely painful. If your cat has painful urination he may associate pain with the litter box and look for a new place to do his business.
- Usually the guy is to blame, but both male and female cats will spray urine. Unfortunately this is an inherited quality in cats. It’s a way to show they are in the mood for love, or announcing to anyone or any thing with a nose that this is their space!
- Dirty litter boxes are a disaster waiting to happen. Cats are sensitive, and usually in need of a good physiatrist. They don’t like to relieve themselves in a stinky spot and will find a much less odorous place- at least an odorless place for the moment.
After determining the cause of your cat’s bad behavior, the next order of business is to find the source of the cat urine odor. If you can see a puddle on the floor, soak it up with something you can throw away, such as paper towels. Carpet is a bit more difficult to clean since urine will seep into it, the pad, and then the floor boards. Just cleaning the surface will be of no use. Unfortunately, if the cat has decided to pee in the middle of the carpet this will make clean up more difficult.
You can make an excellent effective homemade solution which is very simple to put together, and easy to use. In an ordinary spray bottle, mix three parts water to one part vinegar. On the affected area, drench the place with your homemade brew. If it is on carpet soak not just the carpet, but the pad and the underlying floor boards. After a few minutes of a good soaking, blot up the excess liquid with old rags or paper towels and allow it all to dry.
Next, shake a fair amount of baking soda over the dried area. Then mix together ¾ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 1 tsp. of your favorite dish detergent. Drizzle this on top of the baking soda. Using an old tooth brush, scrub the stinky area with the peroxide baking soda solution. Again, allow it to dry. Use your vacuum to sweep up the residue. If your nose can still detect a trace of odor just repeat the process. Due to the alcohol content you can also add a bit of Listerine mouthwash with your vinegar solution to insert a smidgen more zing. There are other home remedies, but most consist of the same ingredients; vinegar, water, peroxide and dish detergent.
For clothing or cloth items that have been urinated on, add into your washing machine ¼ cup apple cider vinegar along with your regular detergent. Just wash the items as you normally would.
Using bleach to clean cat urine is thought by many to be a huge no no. Due to the ammonia content in the urine, bleach has an adverse reaction whenever the two are mixed together. This can be extremely harmful to humans and animals.
There are many products on the market to clean cat urine odor and stains, but make sure you purchase a cleaner and not just a deodorizer. A deodorizer will only mask the smell, and when it wears off, once again kitty’s overwhelming presence will be known. Pet stores carry many good brands such as: Nature’s Miracle, Capture Pet Stain, FON (Feline Odor Neutralizer), and Simple Solution.
Properly cleaning up after kitty’s terrible manners will insure your home stays smelling good and the cat stays in your good graces.
<>
