Sure, you love your cat, but that doesn’t mean you’re happy when your whole house smells like cat urine. Cat urine is one of the most difficult odors to remove and one that we come across frequently. The longer cat pee sits on a material, the smellier and more difficult it is to remove. Learn what do to when your whole house smells like cat urine and about the importance of professional cat urine odor removal.
Need professional cat urine odor removal? Request an appointment online from your local Rainbow Restoration.
Why Does Cat Pee Smell So Bad?
A healthy cat’s urine is no different from urine of other animals – it’s a metabolic waste product comprised of chemicals like uric acid, salt, electrolytes, detoxified substances, and urea. The difference is that while dogs go for walks and humans use restrooms with modern plumbing, a cat’s litter box sits out, open in your home and is not cleaned after every use. If your cat sprays to mark its territory or has an accident, it’s likely that you will not notice until bacteria begin to break down the urine, releasing chemicals like ammonia.
Health and age can also affect the potency of your cat’s urine. If your cat is intact (it has not been spayed or neutered), is of advanced age or is ill (with a UTI or kidney disease), your cat’s urine may be more pungent. If you notice any changes in your cat’s litter box habits, it’s important to contact your veterinarian right away.
Why Is My Cat Peeing on My Clothes or on the Floor?
A happy, healthy, well-trained cat that has been provided with a proper and clean litter box will not pee on clothes or on the floor. If your cat is peeing outside the litter box, it’s time to think about your cat’s overall health and wellness. Ask yourself these questions:
- When was the last time I scooped the litter box? Cat’s prefer fresh, well-scooped litter boxes. If a cat is uncomfortable with the state of their litter box, they may seek an alternative restroom.
- Has anything changed in our house that could spark a behavioral change? If you’ve moved their litter box, introduced a new pet to your household or even changed your hours at work, your cat may choose to protest or mark its territory.
- Could my cat be sick? If you’ve noticed any other unusual symptoms or if your cat appears to be ailing, be sure to contact your veterinarian.
How to Get Rid of Cat Pee Smell
Does your cat’s litter box reek? Have they left you a moist surprise behind the couch or in your laundry hamper? The only way to get rid of the lingering smell of cat pee is with complete cat urine odor removal. While there are DIY methods of cat urine odor removal, we caution that in most cases, they will not fully remove the odor. Only professional odor removal from a trained technician will fully remove odors from affected materials in your home. Follow our tips for DIY cat urine odor removal or call our team for a professional deep clean.
How to Get Cat Urine Smell Out of Wood
- Blot or mop the puddle as soon as possible.
- Clean the affected area with a gentle detergent like dish soap.
- Use with a cleaner that is specific to your flooring type.
This method works best when employed on fresh messes. Urine can soak into wood making the smell nearly impossible to remove without professional grade materials.
Cleaning Cat Urine from Carpet
To clean cat urine from carpet, try irrigating the spot or stain with club soda. Let the spot dry before liberally sprinkling baking soda on it. Let the baking soda sit for several hours undisturbed. Vacuum the baking soda and repeat the entire baking soda process as necessary until the smell is gone.
This procedure may help remove surface stains and smells, but because of the nature of carpet and carpet padding, it’s vital for homeowners to contract with a reputable carpet cleaning company to remove deep, set in stains and odors from carpet and carpet padding.
Enzymatic Cleaners for Cat Urine
Commercially produced enzymatic cleaners are designed to break down chemicals, like acids, in cat urine. Enzymatic cleaners are made of a combination of bacteria and natural enzymes. These can be particularly valuable for homeowners dealing with multiple stains or very stubborn smells.
Our technicians use a combination of professional enzymatic cleaners and methods, like hot water extraction, to remove smells from flooring and materials for good.
Cleaning and Deodorizing Services for Cat Urine
Did you purchase a home with a stinky situation? Has your cat left multiple stains and messes for you to clean up? Rainbow Restoration offers a full range of cleaning and deodorizing services designed to leave your home clean and to help you find the rainbow on the other side of any disaster or cleaning project. Find your local Rainbow Restoration or schedule an appointment online now for professional cat urine odor removal.
