The Ultimate Guide To Eliminating Cat Pee Smell
When your cat starts urinating outside the litter box, the smell can be difficult to get rid of and nearly impossible to mask.
Whether your cat pees on the carpet, a piece of furniture, bed linens, or your clothes, its important to neutralize the odor to prevent your cat from becoming a repeat offender. Cats often return to a spot where they have previously urinated if the odor is not eliminated.
Its also important to determine the cause of this behavior, which could be a sign of a health issue or stress.
Here is your ultimate guide to eliminating cat urine smells and determining why your cat is urinating outside the litter box to begin with.
Are Enzymatic Cleaners Safe
Toxic substances are rare in enzymatic cleaners. Stains can be removed more quickly by using cleaning products that contain enzymes, which are naturally occurring proteins that speed up chemical reactions. However, we recommend that you double-check the contents list of your enzyme cleaner to ensure that it doesnt include any hazardous compounds. Adding artificial oxidizing or stain removal substances to boost their products performance is common practice for several brands.
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Keep Your Cat From Urinating In That Spot In The Future
Once youve cleaned a particular area, prevent a recurrence by changing the significance of that area to your cat. In other words, since cats prefer to eat and eliminate in separate areas, place food bowls and treats in previously soiled areas, or play with your cat in that space and leave toys there.
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How To Clean Up Dog And Cat Urine
Dog urine is almost identical to human urine, so the cleaning routine will be essentially the same. Feline urine, however, is a whole different animal. As any cat owner knows, this stuff reeks. Thats because, while its still about 95 percent water with some urea, cat urine also contains a feline-specific amino acid called felinine. Humans cant smell it initially, but once it breaks down into sulfurous compounds, watch out.
To tackle cat urine stains, you can try either of the methods for cleaning up human and dog pee, but youll probably need something stronger a store-bought enzymatic cleaner to deal with the super-pungent odor. So try this method: If the pee is fresh, mop up the liquid with a dry towel like you would for human pee remember, blot, dont wipe. Once youve sopped it all up or if youre cleaning dried cat urine lay a plastic sheet or tarp between the mattress and box spring , and dump about 4 cups of warm water over the affected area. The goal here is to dilute the residual cat urine and knock down the scent. Mop up the excess moisture.
Now grab your enzymatic cleaner and depending on the product design, pour or spray it all over the stain. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, or however long the instructions on the bottle say, then sop up any excess moisture. Next, for additional odor-busting, sift some baking soda over the spot and let it sit for as long as possible. Finally, vacuum up the baking soda, and you should be good to go.
For Stronger Odors Try An Enzyme Cleaner
Not only is animal urine more concentrated than human urine, but it also contains extra elements like carbohydrates and fatty acids and ammonia . Cleaners containing enzymes, which are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions, can help break down these more stubborn components. You should select an enzyme cleaner thats specifically designed for removing pet stains, and be sure to check the label to ensure the solution is non-toxic. Most pet stores carry enzyme cleaners, or you can find them online.
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Vacuum Up The Dry Baking Soda
Using a hose attachment, vacuum the dried baking soda from the mattress. Be careful to ensure the powder is completely dry or youll run the risk of damaging your vacuum. Alternatively, you can use a wet/dry vacuum to clean up damp powder. Once your vacuuming is complete, inspect the mattress. If necessary, repeat steps three through six to eradicate any lingering odors or stains.
How Can I Find The Right Mattress
The process to remove cat urine from a mattress is a lot simpler when you have the right product. Many mattresses are designed with pets in mind, and you should look into the following that cater to pet parents.
Hypo-allergenic mattresses reduce allergies and help fight bacterial growth.
- Botanical Bliss Organic Latex made from high-quality GOLS-certified organic latex. Recommended highly by orthopedic specialists.
- Natural Bliss made from eco-friendly materials. Various firmness levels available.
- Classic 8 comes with an organic cotton cover. Offers superior spinal alignment.
Latex mattresses are also great in that they offer natural resistance to dust mites and mold.
- PlushBeds Botanical Bliss made from organic latex to let you sleep healthily.
- Latex for Less responsive feel thats great for people who sleep hot.
- Eco Terra made from sustainable materials. Recommended for all sleeping styles and those with chemical allergies.
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Use Distilled White Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is a mild acid that helps neutralize the components in urine. Pour some distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and liberally spray the areas that have a pee smell. Allow the mattress to air-dry. The vinegar smell will be strong at first but will dissipate as it dries.
You can speed the drying time by using circulating fans to move air across the mattress.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Why Does My Cat Keep Peeing On My Mattress
Though cats can reduce stress, when they urinate where they are not supposed to, they can certainly increase stress as well. You might be faced with a pee spot on your bed and find yourself wondering if your cat is trying to spite you or if you have a defective model they arent and you dont.
There are a lot of reasons that a cat might use your mattress to relieve themselves, but actively trying to drive you insane is not one of those reasons. So, first things first: take a deep breath.
There are several medical issues that can cause cats to have a hard time controlling their bladder. Kidney stones, bladder infections, diabetes, arthritis, urinary tract infections, and hyperthyroidism are among the most common health issues that may be causing your cat to have accidents.
Dietary changes can also cause incontinence. If this accident is not an isolated incident, if your cat seems to be experiencing any other pain, or if their habits have changed, talk to your veterinarian about your kittys health.
Social and environmental changes can cause cats to feel stressed and anxious, which may also result in urination outside of the litter box. If there have been major changes within your household, such as a new baby, pet, or partner, your cat may be feeling a bit anxious and forgetting their bathroom behavior. Make sure your cat has a space where they feel safe and secure and that they are getting enough attention.
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Sprinkle With Baking Soda
Baking soda is excellent for odor removal, so if the stain carries a stubborn smell, baking soda may be precisely what you need to neutralize it. Baking soda is also adept in absorbing moisture.
To apply the baking soda, sprinkle liberally on the surface of the mattress, making sure that it covers both the stains and outside the edges of it. If your bed is the victim of frequent accidents, you may want to also regularly apply a thin layer underneath the sheets to keep things fresh.
How To Get Pee And Pee Smells Out Of A Mattress
If you find yourself swamped in urine or you discover your child has wet the bed, heres what to do:
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What Products You Will Need To Clean Cat Urine
Be sure you have everything you need before you start the process of removing cat urine from your mattress. Having the proper products and tools at the ready may make the process less stressful than it already is. Youll need:
- Several clean and dry towels or rags. You may go through these fairly quickly, so make sure you have enough at hand.
- Gloves. You dont need them, but you might want them.
- Plastic sheets or tarps. These will protect your mattress from the ground and your ground from the mattress.
- A cleaner. Whether you purchase a cleaner specifically designed for the job or use one of the home-remedy cleaners we mention below, youll need something to remove the stain and smell.
- Baking soda. Baking soda is the ultimate if it aint broke, dont fix it method for drawing moisture out of fabrics.
- A home vacuum cleaner or Shop-Vac. A broom may also work, but a vacuum will do a better job of picking up damp baking soda without spreading it around.
Now that you have all of the tools you need to get cat pee out of your mattress, its time to get to work.
Preventing Cat From Future Pee
If your cat learned the bad habit or your kitty is urinating the mattress then you need to have patience they will need time for relearning proper potty protocol.
There is also any chance of your cat having any medical problems so you can go to the vet to address medical issues.
You need to make sure and check the cats litter box is safe and clean also easy to access, you must clean the kittys box more often.
Cleaning the kittys box is easy than cleaning the mattress from cat pee right?
Also, this all cant help then you can use the waterproof topper for protecting the mattress from your kittys pee.
There are some smells and things that your cat doesnt stand on it, this includes most citrus fruit, bananas, and lavender that you can spray on your bed to avoid the cat.
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How Do You Quickly Dry Urine Out Of A Mattress
While its recommended to allow urine to air dry with a solution of vinegar or baking soda, you can speed up the process by opening your windows or running a fan. You can also gently dab the spot with a dry towel, but be careful not to wipe with the towel or you may end up making the urine stain worse.
Pet Stain Cleaning Supplies You’ll Need To Get Started
The products you’ll need depends on your personal preferences, so let’s explore two of the best options for cleaning pet stains from a mattress.
You could use a DIY 50/50 solution of water and vinegar on pet urine. However, many experts recommend enzyme-based cleaners instead. Caitlin Sole, Senior Associate Home Editor with BHG.com, shares her tips for cleaning up pet messes. Sole relies on enzyme-based cleaners for any stains her Great Pyrenees leaves. “he enzymes work to break down the urine to eliminate odors and stains, whereas vinegar might remove the stain but mask any odors,” Sole says.
Enzyme-based cleaners work on other pet stains and on a variety of surfaces as well. Just be sure to read the label’s instructions before use, Sole cautions.
Sole recommends Puracy Pet Urine Eliminator for getting a deeper clean, and Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator for spot treatments.
Aside from a cleaning solution, you’ll also need absorbent paper towels and a vacuum cleaner.
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Does Cat Pee Smell Go Away
The smell of cat pee goes away with time. It can go away by following these steps:
For the smell to fade quickly, make sure the room is well- aerated.
The Baking Soda And Vinegar Method
For this method, you will need the following items.
- Vinegar. Always use real vinegar and not a product that is imitation vinegar or diluted.
- A clean cloth or paper towels.
- A clean and empty spray bottle.
- A box of baking soda.
- A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery nozzle.
The empty spray bottle needs to be put into the first step. Do not try to change the composition of the vinegar. If you want to saturate the stain, you have to spray enough vinegar onto it. 15 minutes is how long it will take for the vinegar to sit.
Put the cloth or paper towels in the washing machine to remove the stains. The baking soda should be taken after you have removed as much moist air as possible.
Sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda over the stain and leave the bed like that for a few hours. Its recommended that you leave it for a whole day. If the method is working, the baking soda should start to form clumps as it absorbs more vinegar from the mattress. The upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner can be used to remove the baking soda once you notice that it is dry. Learn how to clean urine from mattress with a pillow top.
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Health Issues Can Cause Inappropriate Urination
The first thing you need to do is rule out a medical problem, says Dr. Bruce Kornreich, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, and associate director of the Cornell Feline Health Center.
Medical issues related to inappropriate urination can include urinary tract infections, kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and feline lower urinary tract disease. These can cause a cat to urinate outside the litter box, particularly if they associate the litter box with pain.
If you believe your cat is suffering from any of these conditions, or is exhibiting additional symptoms, bring them to your veterinarian immediately. Untreated conditions such as urinary tract infections can become serious.
Tips On Cleaning Cat Pee
The longer the cat pee sits on the mattress, the stronger the stench becomes. And once it dries up, it becomes even harder to clean. If you dont clean the stain, the cat will mark that area again.
If you dont have baking soda or vinegar, you can use enzymatic cleaners. They help to break down the acid in cat urine and eliminate the strong smell. As you clean with such products, you should get to a point where neither you nor your feline friend can smell the urine.
You should avoid products that contain ammonia as they can make the stain settle deeper.
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Primary Preparation Of Cat Pee Removal Work
Remove the beddings
When you spot cat pee on your mattress, you should remove the beddings as fast as possible. Next, put them in a washing machine to clean the pee. If you cant locate the stain, use a black light on the mattress cat urine will always glow in the dark. If the smell still lingers, you can add white vinegar and wash it again.
Blot the area
You should focus on getting out as much pee as possible from your memory foam mattress. Just grab a clean towel and try to soak up the pee. Avoid scrubbing the problem area as this will make the stain penetrate deeper.
Cover the stain with vinegar solution
If the stain had time to dry, you should use vinegar and allow it to work its magic. To prepare the solution, just mix 2-3 tbsp. of vinegar with two cups of cold water and one cup of liquid soap. Once the solution settles in the area for 10 minutes, you should use a clean cloth to blot the excess liquid.
Again, if you scrub, the stain will get deeper into the foam. If the mattress is close to the windows, you may want to open them as this will speed up the process.
Sprinkle baking soda
This is where the cleaning process gets fancy. You should cover the entire surface with baking soda and allow it to sit for up to 10 hours. If you have children or pets in the house, you may want to close the room to prevent them from messing around. As the baking soda soaks the vinegar, youll start to see some clumps.
Vacuum the baking soda