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Overview:
Cat
urine has a distinctive and unpleasant odour
that can permeate furniture and carpeting. Even
litter-trained cats can spray when stressed or upset.
Cats who develop frequent spraying should be taken to the
veterinarian to determine if a medical cause is behind the
increased spraying. No matter why a cat sprays urine, the
odor is strong and pungent. Removing cat urine odour
is often a difficult task for the cat owner but it can be
accomplished.
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How to remove cat urine/cat spray:
Before you start, if you are having problems locating where your cat
has urinated or sprayed use a black light. The offending area will
show up using this method. Many
products are on the market to remove cat urine odors but all
are not equal. Cat owners who want to use a
professional product should ask a veterinarian for a
recommendation. Cat urine odours
can also be removed with common household items and some
old-fashioned cleansing.
White
vinegar is a time tried and proven ingredient that aids in removing
both urine stains and the odour.
The simplest method is to locate cat urine stains, which can be done
with the use of a black fluorescent light. Stains appear on
furniture, walls, or carpet as a yellow splatter or spot.
Combine one part distilled white vinegar to two parts warm water to
create a spray. Remove as much urine/spray as you can using a
paper towels. Mist vinegar spray over areas of cat urine and
rub with a paper towel. An alternative method is to mix the
solution in a bucket and dip a clean cloth into the liquid.
Rub the stain with the vinegar solution. After the vinegar
dries, wipe away both solution and stain with warm water.
Another product which many cat owners & breeders use in
Australia with great success is Bio-Zet, which is an enzymatic
clothes laundry detergent. If you have washable cushions or the cat
has urinated on your clothes this is a product you may want to try
also.
Another
simple to make spray uses 15 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, two
tablespoons of baking soda, and two squirts of liquid hand soap.
Mix in a plastic container with a plastic spoon. Discard
after use. Apply this solution to cat urine stains or odour
areas, and then rinse away with warm water.
To
clean carpets affected with cat urine odour,
blot the stain or wet area with paper towels. Lay additional
paper towels over the stain and press. Repeat several times
then apply any stain and odour
removal product. For best results, choose a bacterial/enzyme
cleaner that will remove all parts of the urine stain as well as the
odor. Then cleanse with carpet cleaner, rinse with warm water,
and dry. If the stain has dried, dilute it with warm water
before beginning the stain removal process.
Upholstery
affected by cat urine odor and stains can also be cleansed.
Blot stain with a paper towel and sponge with cold water. Blot
away any excess moisture and clean the area with a solution made
with two cups warm water and one tablespoon vinegar. Apply a
stain and odor remover that is a bacterial/enzyme cleaner.
Preventing cat urine/spraying reoccurring:
If
cat odour
urine is a frequent problem, cat owners should take steps to prevent
future recurrences. First, have the cat checked by a
veterinarian who can identify any medical reason for excess urine
spraying. If medical causes are ruled out, there are several
things that can minimize and prevent urine incidents. Place
litter boxes where the cat has been urinating. Put out lemon
scent, food, sandpaper, or plastic where the cat has sprayed.
Cats normally avoid urinating where any of these items is placed.
Cats
are sometimes stressed by outside events. If it seems that the
cat is spraying in response to outside stimulus such as other cats
or animals, block the view. Another option is to confine the
cat to a clean area with a fresh litter box, water, and food.
This should teach the cat that he or she is not to urinate on
carpets or furniture. Praise the cat when urination takes
place in the litter box.
If
cats use potted plants as a litter box, place a few pine cones or orange
peel on top
of the soil. Cats should avoid the plant if these scents are
in place. You can also
purchase cat deterrent sprays from your local pet shop which may be
of use preventing your cat re-offending.
Never
use products with ammonia to remove cat urine odours.
Urine consists of a large amount of ammonia and the lingering smell
will encourage rather than discourage urination. Also maintain
fresh litter in all boxes – cats are clean by nature and will
refuse to use a dirty litter box.
Cat
urine odours
can be removed and often prevented with basic products used with
common sense.
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