How to Remove
Cat Urine
by: Brenda H. Murphy
There are a number of reasons that cats, who
are fastidious creatures, may choose to
urinate outside their litterbox. The primary
causes are a box that is dirty, and hasn't
been kept scooped or cleaned, and urinary
tract infection. If your cat's litterbox is
pristine, then you may want to take them to
the vet for a urinalysis, and then a
discussion of possible behavioral causes.
But when a cat
urinates indoors, particularly if they have
done it more than once in the same spot, the
smell can be pretty pervasive. The worst is
from unaltered tom cats, whose hormones are
announcing that he's ready for romance.
Neutering will not only cure the odor, but
the behavior as well. However, you'll still
need to find a cure for the smells and/ or
stains.
If you can
smell it, but not locate the stains, get a
backlight at the hardware store. These are
the "special effect" lights used for
Halloween and stage productions. When turned
on in total darkness, they have a purple
glow, and make certain things like white
articles, fluoresce and glow in the dark. It
will also make urine glow. Put the bulb in
an automobile "trouble lamp" receptacle and
make a hood to go over the usual metal cage.
This will help direct the light, making it
more intensive and the stains easier to
find.
Urine stains
that have dried, can be treated the same way
as fresh spots, with the exception that they
should be sprayed with warm water first, to
soften the fibers and allow for easier
removal of the odor and urine.
Take several
folded paper towels and place them over the
urine spot. Step on it with your shoe and
press down. Do not "work" it in, just lend
your weight to blotting. Take away the wet
towel and put down dry ones. Repeat until no
more liquid comes up.
Apply a stain
and odor remover that has an enzyme base.
Remember that cat urine is a biological
product, and chemical based solutions are
not usually the answer, because odor can
remain afterwards, which will attract the
cat back to the same spot. Use the remover
as directed on the container. When done,
shampoo that section of carpet, and dry.
Ideally, a steam clean is best, in order to
bring out any remover and urine that is deep
into the nap or pile.
