Cleaning Cat Urine

At one time or another, almost every feline caretaker needs to deal with the problem of cleaning cat urine.

Have you ever wondered why cat urine has such as strong, foul odor that sometimes seems impossible to remove? That is because cat urine is made up of several different components including:

• Urochrome: This is the color pigmentation in the urine.
• Urea: This is the tacky, sticky part of the urine.
• Uric acid: This gives the urine its unpleasant odor.

The urochorome and urea are simple to remove with almost any type of household cleaner. It is the uric acid that causes the smelly problem. The uric acid is made up of crystals and salts causing many cat owners to become frustrated when their kitty urinates in an inappropriate place such as the couch, carpet or pile of laundry. The problem arises because the crystals in the uric acid are insoluble and form a tight bond to any surface they contact. Whenever the crystals come in contact with any form of dampness, moisture or humidity, they are reactivated once again releasing their pungent odors.

To effectively remove cat urine and its odor permanently, an enzymatic cleaner is needed. Enzyme cleaners are made from formulas containing special ingredients that actually eat the crystals and bacteria present in cat urine. These ingredients are not found in most common household cleaners, making them ineffective on cat urine.

There are many excellent products on the market that are specifically made to remove cat urine. Several of these products include:

• Cat-tergent
• Nature’s Miracle Orange-Oxy Power Just for Cats
• Stink Free Instantly! Pet Urine Odor Remover
• Simple Solution Cat Stain and Odor Remover
• Petzyme Cat Stain and Odor Remover

Make sure to follow the directions on any commercial enzyme cleaner you choose. Some pee stains and problem areas may require more than one application. Always make sure to thoroughly saturate the area with the enzyme cleaner.

If you do not have a commercial enzyme cleaner, many pet parents have removed cat urine using common household products including baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar and dishwashing detergent. The following websites provide helpful information, tips and cleaning instructions:

• No More Cat Odor
• Cats of Australia
• Cat Urine

• Never use a cleaner that contains ammonia. To cats, the ammonia smell sets up a marker telling them this is a good place to urinate.

• Use rubber gloves when cleaning areas soiled with cat urine.

• Blot up as much urine as possible using paper towels, old rags or disposable diapers.

• Saturate the area with a commercial enzyme cleaner or your home made remedy. Allow the area to dry.

• When dealing with cat urine that is on a carpet or upholstery, make sure to blot the excess, do not scrub. Scrubbing will work the urine deeper into the carpet or upholstery fibers.

• If the cat urine is already dry, wet a cloth and moisten the area to make it easier to clean.

• If you find cat urine on clothing, test the enzymatic cleaner on an area of the clothing that is inconspicuous to make sure it does not stain the garment.

• Repeat the cleaning process if necessary. Cats have an excellent sense of smell and will be drawn to the area if all traces of the urine smell are not eliminated.

Cats are clean by nature, and there is generally a reason if there is a change in litter box behavior.

• If your feline friend stops using the litter box, there may be a medical problem such as a bladder infection, a urethral blockage, cystitis or a kidney problem. Your cat may associate the pain it experiences when urinating with its litter box. Have your cat companion checked by his veterinarian to make sure there is not a medical problem.

• Cats get stressed and often stop using the litter box because of a traumatic situation such as a move, the presence of unfamiliar people, addition of a new pet or cats outside of the house. Some cats use inappropriate elimination to show their displeasure.

• Most cats want their litter box clean and may refuse to use it if it is not clean. It is important to keep the litter box clean and supplied with fresh litter.

• If you have a multi cat household, locate several litter boxes throughout the house.

Knowing the proper way of cleaning cat urine makes it easier to deal with the problem when it arises.

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