How to Remove Cat Urine Odor – 5 Effective Ways

Responsible cat owners know – no matter how well-behaved your pet is or how neatly it uses its litter box, unpleasant odors can still arise. Even the best litter doesn’t guarantee that the box won’t start to smell over time. Therefore, the question of how to remove cat urine smell remains ever relevant. Let’s explore the most effective methods that are safe for your feline friend.

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Why Cat Urine Smell Is Hard to Remove

Cat urine contains many odorous compounds – urea, urobilin, creatinine, and sodium salts. However, the main culprit is uric acid. It quickly crystallizes in the air and doesn’t dissolve in water. Regular cleaning agents struggle with it, and contact with water can make the bad smell even stronger.

Want even more “aroma”? Try chlorine. Chlorine-based products and ammonia worsen the situation, making the smell sharper and more unpleasant. Avoid essential oils and air fresheners as well. They might temporarily mask the odor but won’t solve the problem. So, how to remove cat urine smell properly? Let’s examine the options.

Removing Cat Urine Smell by Cleaning

If your pet uses the litter box properly, the smell will only come from there. The main rule is to clean the cat’s litter box as frequently as possible. If you don’t use litter, wash the box after every visit by your furry friend. For natural litters like sand or sawdust, don’t delay cleaning either.

The best at absorbing odors are clumping litters made from bentonite or opal-cristobalite. When wet, the granules clump together to form tight clusters that trap the smell if removed promptly. Silica gel litters also do a great job of trapping odors.

Pay attention to the litter box itself. For hygiene reasons, even if it doesn’t smell, it’s best to replace the box at least once a year.

Removing Cat Urine Smell with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Vinegar is a versatile agent that can handle cat odors in various scenarios:

• For floor coverings. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda and leave on the affected spot for five minutes. Blot with a paper towel and sprinkle with baking soda again. Wait until it dries, then vacuum the residue. Don’t worry about the fizzing – the reaction between baking soda and vinegar neutralizes the acid without damaging the material.
• For clothing. Mix a tablespoon of 9% vinegar with a liter of water and soak the items in the solution for a few hours. Then wash separately from other laundry in the machine. Be cautious with delicate fabrics like silk or wool; they may not tolerate concentrated acid, so dilute the vinegar well.

Removing Cat Urine Smell with Glycerin

Glycerin treatment is gentle and suitable even for items made from natural leather. It’s an ideal solution for removing cat urine smell from shoes without damaging them. It works well even on old stains.

To get rid of the odor, wipe the contaminated area with glycerin and let it dry completely. Then thoroughly wash the treated spot, preferably with soap or another appropriate cleaning agent, like a leather cleaner. If washing isn’t possible, let the item air out.

Removing Cat Urine Smell with Iodine

A slightly risky but effective method for removing cat urine smell is using iodine. If you have an iodine solution for treating wounds, you can mix 15 drops in a liter of water and treat the affected area. Then rinse everything with water and let it dry.

Be mindful that this method isn’t suitable for light-colored surfaces as it can stain them. Also, avoid using it to clean the litter box or the floor around it – the smell is unpleasant for cats, and they might refuse to use the toilet after such treatment. Iodine is perfect if you need to keep your pet away from a dark corner or a couch with dark upholstery.

Removing Cat Urine Smell with Natural Methods

Rub freshly squeezed lemon juice into the contaminated spot and leave it for an hour. This method works well for fresh stains. There’s no need to rinse – cats will avoid the area because of the citrus smell.

Note: This method is unsuitable for delicate materials that might be damaged by acid or for litter boxes to avoid deterring the cat from using them.

How to Remove Cat Urine Smell – Video

To discover even more effective ways how to remove cat urine smell, watch this video:

Conclusions

There are many ways how to remove cat urine smell from different surfaces. Choose the method that suits you and won’t harm your pet. You can also use professional enzyme cleaners available in pet stores.

FAQ on How to Remove Cat Urine Smell