How to Get Rid Of Cat Spray Smell
Our fur-babies are our whole world. For many pet-lovers, fur-children can do no wrong and they truly are the apples of our eyes. However, when it comes to cat spray, even the most doting of animal-lovers will admit that the odor can be unbearable and if not cleaned properly, can linger for a long time and cause more cat spraying problems. Acting quickly to tackle cat spray is essential if you want to counter the strong smell of cat urine and ensure your house smells delightful again. Cats spray for a number of reasons. They might feel insecure, or even unwell, and you obviously need to ensure they are okay by consulting your vet or curbing their anxiety. It’s also important that their litter trays are always kept clean so that visiting their litter box is a pleasant experience. For more options head over to our guide on auto cleaning litter boxes.
However, it’s essential to clean it up quickly otherwise they will continue to return to the same spot. When they spray, they mark their territory and thus it needs to be cleaned properly so that the smell is completely removed. Follow these tips if you’re dealing with a cat spray problem in your home, and in no time, your home will smell like a pleasant oasis of cleanliness.
Act Quickly! Time is Of the Essence
If you happen to catch your cat in the act, it’s best to act in the moment. The type of surface they spray on will determine the extent of the job at hand. If they spray on tiles or wood, it will be easier to clean them if they spray on a carpet or sofa. If you catch them in the moment, act immediately. Clean the area with warm soapy water, blot it with a paper towel or normal towel, and allow it to dry. If you live in a particularly cold or damp area, dry the area with a hair dryer.
Invest In a Cleaning Agent that Breaks Down Enzymes
While soapy water mixed with some alcohol or on-toxic cleaning agent might work on tiles, or a hard wood floor, you might struggle to get the cat spray odor out of materials. If you are struggling to get this smell out, you might need to invest in a specialized cleaning agent that breaks down the urine enzymes.
These formulas are tailored specifically for cat spray are able to break-down the molecules that are found in cat urine to ensure that the odor is removed and that your cat won’t return to the area to spray again. Once you have cleaned the area, spray the special formula on the affected area. You will usually need to leave it on the mark for about 15 minutes so that it can break down the urine. You then need to blot the area with a paper towel and leave it to dry.
Always follow the instructions on your particular product as application specifications might differ from product to product.
You may also like our article on Pet Stain Removers.
Try Your Own Natural Cleaners: These are Non-Toxic and Won’t Harm Your Cat
If cat spray is becoming a problem, you will need to clean the area repeatedly. It might be a good idea to make your own cleaning products that won’t harm your fur-baby or cause damage to your surfaces, or the fabrics that cover your sofas or cushions. You can make non-toxic cleaners (that are safe for pets, humans, and the environment) by simply sprinkling baking soda on affected area. Baking soda does a wonderful job at absorbing the odor of cat urine and can simply be vacuumed after a few hours. You can also even put some spoonfuls of baking soda in with your washing machine cycle. This is helpful if your cat sprays on a blanket, or cushion cover, or anything that can easily go in your machine.
Clean the Area a Few Times: Rinse and Repeat!
Unfortunately, the smell of cat urine is strong and thus you might need to repeat the cleaning process a number of times to ensure that the smell is completely eradicated. Since cats have a far better sense of smell than humans, they will be able to pick up even the smallest trace of urine and this will make them think it’s their territory and encourage their return. Thus, you need to ensure that the odor is completely out of the affected area and this often means that you will need to repeat the cleaning process a number of times.
Open the Windows and Let in Fresh Air
While fresh air won’t get rid of the stain, it will go a long way in circulating new air into your house and getting rid of any lingering smells. Opening the windows and allowing fresh air into your home, along with various other cleaning processes will help to get rid of any lingering odors in your home.
Avoid Bleach At All Costs!
While it seems natural to turn to bleach if you need to get a bad odor out of an area, this is a bad idea when it comes to tackling cat urine. Bleach is high in ammonia (much like cat urine) and this can actually encourage your cat to return to the affected area, rather than deter them. Opt for gentle cleaners that don’t contain ammonia, utilize soap and water, or use baking soda to tackle the odor of cat spray.
Opt For a Professional Clean
If the smell of cat urine and the associated stains are causing you stress, opt for a professional cleaning service to come in and clean your floors. This will be beneficial if you have carpeted floors and their
Make Sure Their Litter Tray is Clean and Comfortable
Another way to encourage your cat to urinate in their litter tray, and their litter tray alone is to make their litter box the most pleasant as possible. Keep their litter tray sparkly and clean by cleaning it out regularly. Also ensure that you are using a litter or sand that they enjoy and that makes them feel comfortable. If cats are unhappy with their litter tray set up, they might opt to go elsewhere and that elsewhere could be your favorite sofa, or fancy new rug! If your cat seems unhappy with their litter situation, try changing up the litter tray crystals to find one that they really enjoy. Also, place their litter tray in a private space where they feel comfortable. Head over to our review of the best cat litters for more choices.
Deal With the Underlying Problem As to Why They are Spraying
At the end of the day, your fur-baby is spraying for a reason and you ultimately need to get to the heart of the problem. You can clean up the mess as much as possible, but if you don’t tackle the issue at hand, it will continue to happen. Cats often spray as a means to mark their territory when they feel threatened. If a strange cat is entering your home this might cause them stress and they might feel the need to spray. If you have strange cats on your property you’ll need to deter them and prevent them for causing your cat stress. Spraying is a natural response to agitation or anxiety and thus we need to curb the reasons as to why your cat is spraying.
Source:
- How to Clean-Up Cat Urine – The Ohio State University
