Choosing a pet urine odour remover:

When looking for a product to remove cat urine and odours, the enzymatic cleaners are the best. They break down compounds in the cat odour, which is what attracts your cat to keep returning to the same spot. Most pet stores sell these products.

Cat urine odours can also be removed with common household items and some old-fashioned cleansing.

Locating pet urine:

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.  Black lights can be purchased cheaply from pet stores or ebay.

Home made urine removers:

• White vinegar is a time tried and proven ingredient that aids in removing both urine stains and the odour. 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 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.

• Many cat owners and 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.

Removing urine from carpets:

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 odour.  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.

Removing urine from upholstery:

Upholstery affected by cat urine odour 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 odour remover that is a bacterial/enzyme cleaner.

What not to clean urine with:

Ammonia based products should be avoided at all costs. Cat urine contains ammonia, and cleaning urine with an ammonia product will just encourage your cat to return to the area.

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. 

• If possible, place litter boxes where the cat has been urinating. 

• 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.

• Make sure you have the right sized litter tray. A tiny tray for a large cat is not going to work.

• Clean the litter tray(s) daily. The rule of thumb is one tray per cat, plus one spare. No cat wants to go to the toilet in a dirty litter tray and they will find an alternate spot to go to the toilet.

• Desex your cat. Entire cats are more likely to spray than altered ones.

Also read:

Cat toilet training  Choosing a litter tray  Cat litter