Cats inherently maintain a high level of cleanliness, yet there are instances where they may decide to urinate on your carpet, inside your closet, or on your beloved shoes. Moreover, their urine emits such a strong odor that merely cleaning the area lightly will not suffice.
Most of the time, you might notice the pee hours after it was done. This means that the spot will have to be deep cleaned to get the odor out.
Reasons Why Your Cat is Peeing in the House
The reasons why a cat does such a thing can vary – but most agree that it is because the cat is a jerk, especially when you have provided it with a clean litter box. Nonetheless, the following are some reasons why your cat may be ignoring the litter box:
- Dirty Litter Box– Cats do not like using a dirty litter box. If you have been slacking off in cleaning it, your cat may start peeing around the house.
- Type of Litter Used – Some cats can be very picky about the litter type. If you recently changed the litter brand or opted for a different type, your cat may refuse to use the litter box.
- Stress in the House–In homes where there are four or more cats, a hierarchy can form. The youngest one or the last cat on the ladder may be too nervous about using the litterbox.
- Medical Issues– Cats with undiagnosed urinary tract infections or medical conditions like diabetes might choose to urinate in places other than the litter box. A trip to the vet may be necessary in this case.
Understanding why your cat’s change in peeing behavior can help to correct the issue, but you still need to be prepared for it. Knowing how to remove cat urine odor can be tricky, especially since it depends on where the cat has peed.
This is why; we have created this short yet definitive guide on how to get rid of cat urine odor in the house.
Cleaning Cat Pee on Carpets
Whether it is your favorite rug or a carpeted floor, if your cat has peed on it, you need to clean it as quickly as possible. Rugs and carpets are very absorbent and can stain easily too. The best way to get cat urine out of carpets is to use an enzyme cleaner. The enzymes can help to destroy the bacteria, which is responsible for the odor.
For fresh pee, use paper towels or a rag to blot and soak up the urine. Do not wipe, as you will only make the urine spot larger. Once you have removed as much urine as possible, spray the enzyme cleaner until the area is saturated with it.
If the pee stain is an old one, skip the first step and apply the enzyme cleaner on it. Now, blot it gently using a clean, damp cloth. Put the cloth on top of it and leave it for 12 hours before cleaning as usual. Once the area is clean, sprinkle some baking soda. Let it stay for an hour before vacuuming it.
Our Recommendation–BISSELL Pet Stain and Odor Remover
This is the best carpet cleaner for old pet urine, but it also works well with fresh spots too. It can be used for carpets and area rugs. The cleaner is also formulated to help deal with stains from vomit and blood too. It contains no harmful ingredients and is biodegradable as well.
Removing Cat Pee on Upholstery
Cat pee on upholstery is a nightmare for owners. Luckily, cushion covers and curtains can be removed to wash, or you can send them to the dry cleaners. However, if the cat peed on the sofa, you need to use an effective stain and odor removing spray.
You will have to spray the spot with the enzyme cleaner and blot it with a damp cloth. Follow the same steps as you would for removing urine from the carpet. Finish with baking soda, and the spot will be as good as new.
Our Recommendation–Hoover PetPlus Stain and Odor Remover
A strong enzyme cleaner, this stain remover works perfectly for sofas and can be used on carpets too. It can help tackle tough carpet stains and effectively reduces odor as well. The formula is designed to be safe for use indoors.
Eliminating Cat Pee on Wood/Hard Floors
With wood and hard floors, you will have a lot more luck in cleaning up. All you need are some paper towels and a good pet stain and odor removing spray. Leave it for a bit and then clean normally.
For hardwood, care must be taken, so use a specific hardwood cleaner. Otherwise, you could end up with a discolored stain.
Our Recommendation – Simple Solution Hard Floor Stain and Odor Remover
This spray cleaner can be used on a number of hard floor options, including stone, linoleum, marble, and even brick or concrete. It is also useful for the removal of scents from feces, vomit, and works well with cat urine as well. The nozzle also offers three different spraying settings based on your cleaning needs.
Cleaning up Cat Pee on Tiles
Cleaning up tiles is much easier as you can just wipe the area with some paper towels and an all-purpose cleaner. However, if the pee has gotten to the grout, you will need to let the solution stay for a bit. Spray the area and let the solution work for an hour or two before cleaning up.
You can also make a thick paste using baking soda and water and applying it to the grout to remove any discoloration.
Our Recommendation –Angry Orange Ready-to-Use Pet Stain and Odor Remover
Designed for ease of use, this is a ready-to-use formula that can effectively clean tiles and remove all unpleasant scents. It has a citrus smell, which can also dissuade your cat from trying to pee on the spot again. It has a safe formula and can be used indoors without any worries.
With the help of these removers, you can effectively tackle any ‘accidents’ that you might have with your cat.
