How to Eliminate the Smell of Cat Spray
You may let your cat have the run of the house, but he might still mark his turf. Both male and female cats will spray small amounts of urine, usually on vertical surfaces, to stake claim to their territory. Unfortunately, this smelly claim can be hard to eliminate completely. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Get to the sprayed area while it is still wet. Blot up all the liquid you can with clean towels.
-
2
Wet a cloth or sponge with a cleaning solution and blot the area from the outside edges and work inward. Rinse, then blot thoroughly with a dry towel.
You can buy special enzyme-based cleaners designed to take care of pet stains, or make your own. Heloise (as in "Hints from") recommends mixing 1 tsp. of milk liquid dish detergent (not the kind for dishwashers) into 8 oz. of room temperature tap water.
-
-
3
Mix 1 oz. white vinegar with 8 oz. water and blot the area again to deodorize. Blot thoroughly with dry towels.
-
4
If the cat has sprayed on carpet with padding underneath or on upholstery with cushioning, eliminate the odor under the surface. Buy an enzyme-based cleaner, let the liquid soak into the padding or cushion, then blot or let air dry.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Prevention is key. Unsterilized cats are far more likely to spray, so have your pet spayed or neutered. Get rid of the odor completely. Cats often return to the same spot if they can smell it. Make areas where the cat sprays frequently into places the cat won't want to spray: put her food there or make it a place where she gets toys or belly rubs. If you have visitors to the house, make sure they befriend the cat and don't neglect the cat if you bring home a new baby. Finally, keep an eye on your cat. If he seems to be sniffing around an area and backs up against his "target," make a loud noise or squirt him with a water gun, so he will associate spraying with unpleasantness.
Test all cleaning solutions on a small, hidden area of any fabric you are treating, to make sure it is colorfast.
