No matter how much we love our little felines, and the joy they add to our households, there are things you cannot help but notice. And no, I am not even talking about their nonchalant way of life (which we seem to have made peace with and serve them dutifully!)
I am, of course, talking about cat pee. More specifically, the foul smell of cat pee that can linger in your house if not cleaned thoroughly.
And cleaning it is not an easy job either. While we reach for a basin of warm soapy water to clean just about anything, cat pee is on a different level. As a matter of fact, using warm water on cat pee tends to amplify the pungent smell.
You certainly do not want that!
7 Ways to Get Rid of Cat Pee Smell
That being said, all hope is not lost. There are ways to get rid of the cat pee smell. Let’s find out!
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1. Fast Clean-Up
The best way to get rid of the cat pee smell is by cleaning it up as soon as it happens. Unfortunately, it might not be possible all of the time, especially if the cat pees in the middle of the night.
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2. Use Cold Water
Once you spot where the pee is, instead of getting warm water to wipe it down, get a basin with cold water and some paper towels or a piece of cloth. Try to absorb as much of the pee as possible. Alternatively, you can use an extracting wet vac to absorb the cold water and the pee.
Whatever you do, avoid scrubbing the spot with the pee. It makes it more resilient, rubs it further within the region, and creates a permanent mark.
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3. Neutralize
Then, soak the wet spot with a cleaning solution mixed with water and apple or white cider vinegar. In the absence of vinegar, you can opt for baking soda. An alternative to this concoction is using an enzymatic cleaner such as Envii Pet Fresh. The vinegar is good at neutralizing bacteria in the pee due to its acidic nature. In return, this helps in offsetting the stench of the cat’s pee.
If you are using a store-bought enzymatic cleaner, follow the manufactures information. However, if you are using the homemade vinegar solution, douse it on the spot for at least 3 to 5 minutes.
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4. Avoid Ammonia
If you want to get rid of the cat pee stench, avoid any cleaning products with a hint of ammonia at all costs. First, the ammonia will leave a stain behind. You can only imagine how that will look on your expensive carpet or furniture.
Second, ammonia is a component of the cat’s urine. Your cat will undoubtedly gravitate towards its smell, which is not a good sign during clean-up.
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5. Keep The Cat Away
Speaking of the cat gravitating towards the spot with pee, when cleaning, ensure your cat is far away as possible. The smell of urine is pretty uninviting, but having the kitty close might encourage it to pee again.
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6. Use a Freshener
After doing all the cleaning, you can use a freshener to mask any hints of chemical compounds. There are numerous pet odour eliminators in the market. You do not have to use the usual house fresheners, which might not be strong enough for pet smells.
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7. Check on Your Cat
You have probably potty trained your kitty, which makes it a surprise when they pee outside the litter box. So, if this is a new behaviour your cat has picked and keeps at it no matter what may be, it is about time you took it to the vet for a checkup.
Your cat could be stressed, depressed, anxious, or have another underlying medical condition. If it is not checked, it will keep peeing away from the litter box, and you might not succeed at getting rid of the cat pee smell anytime soon.
If you are struggling with urine smells, use the above 7 ways to get rid of the cat pee smell. It will take time to clean up, but the effort will pay. However, if your cat keeps peeing away from the litter box, consider taking it to the vet.
About the Author:
Hey, I’m Amy and I’m in love with my Pets! I have a diverse variety, including 3 cats, 1 dog, 1 rabbit, 1 guinea pig, and a beautiful macaw. I love writing about everything pet-related and spend as much time as I can sharing my personal experiences on my blog. SmartCatLovers.org