Removing cat stains and odors

Having a companion animal is a lifetime commitment. And cat owners know, sometimes that involves spots and odors from urine, feces, or vomit. You will want to remove all traces of spots and odors — not only will this make your home look and smell nicer, it will also help to discourage repeat offenses.

A sign of illness or deeper behavior problems?

If your cat is not using the litter box, take note of any signs of illness. Some of the most common medical reasons for lapses in the litter box are geriatric constipation and urinary tract problems. Raging hormones, too, can cause cats to take their business elsewhere. Unneutered males often mark their territory with urine, and females in heat may urinate out of the box to advertise for suitors. See your veterinarian quickly as the problem could be an easily treated condition. 

Fastidious felines may soil in inappropriate places if their box is not cleaned regularly. And any change in the environment or disruption of your cat’s routine, such as a new member of the household, can cause lapsed litter box usage. Changing the filler more frequently, having one more litter box than you have cats in the house, and using a litter box cleaner and deodorizer may work wonders.

Completely remove spots and odors from carpet

If you do find an “accident”, the faster you start cleaning, the easier it will be and the less likely stains will set. If you smell urine odor but can not find the spot, you can use a black light to find the source. Hold a black light one to two feet above your carpet in a dark room, and urine stains will show a greenish/yellow color.

Pick up solid matter and then soak up any liquid with paper towels. For spots on carpeted areas, use a blotting motion, as rubbing can damage carpet fibers.  A small, hand-held carpet spotting machine or wet vacuum can also be used to extract any liquid. Rinse with water and blot or vacuum again.

Apply a cleaner/neutralizer formulated for pet messes. Some products contain enzymes that actually digest the source of odors and stains. Follow the instructions on the product label as most enzymatic cleaners need some time to digest the spots.