Why do cats urinate outside the litter box?
Generally demanding and fussy about hygiene, your cat may abandon the litter box and urinate elsewhere. There may be several reasons for this unusual behavior. But the most frustrating thing is having to pay the price. Because you are the one who goes behind to clean up the mess. And suffice it to say that the strong smell of his urine It’s really not fun!
Aside from losing landmarks or land marks, these are some common causes of litter abandonment:
- Health problems : If your cat suddenly starts urinating anywhere, it could be due to some illness, urinary tract infections, kidney problems, diabetes, thyroid problem, or painful urination. In which case, you may associate litter box use with pain. and look for other places to urinate.
- Behavior problems: Your cat doesn’t have any particular health problems and you don’t understand why he leaves his litter box? In this case, it may be due to a behavioral disorder. He pays close attention, carefully observes his recent attitude to understand what bothers him and what pushes him to change his habits. Maybe he is not happy with the lack of hygiene in the litter box? Remember that cats, in particular, are very picky about cleanliness. But you may also be a victim of stress, anxiety, frustration, or even a form of depression.
- Hormonal problems: Oh yeah, Hormones also play an important role in this type of situation. Your cat may mark his territory by urinating in the house in an attempt to signal his presence and willingness to mate with a female.
- Advanced age : As the years go by, changes due to age must also be taken into account. As your cat ages, he or she may stop using the litter box due to arthritis, for example. Unlike an active and energetic young feline, it is not easy for an older cat to enter the litter box due to its height, location, or high sides. In which case you will have to make it easier for them by simply changing the sand.
Well, now you know a little more about the reasons that push him to urinate outside his designated place. Anyway, he will try to solve the problem one way or another. However, it is essential to eliminate that persistent odor that invades the house.
You’re in luck: in this article we are going to present a simple tutorial with different cleaning methods to solve this problem step by step. The good news is that you probably already have all the products you will need in your pantry!
Why is cat urine so strong?
You already know perfectly well what we are talking about. Very noticeable and recognizable among thousands of people, the smell of cat urine is extremely strong and often lingers even after cleaning. In reality, a cat’s urine is made up of waste evacuated by its biological system. Urea in urine is actually odorless, but it gives the animal’s urine a sticky texture. And you should know that the nauseating and persistent odor is the result of two amino acids: feline and cysteine-S-isopentanol. They give off a strong sulfur smell and are usually associated with the delimitation of the territory.
How to eliminate the smell of cat urine?
No matter how much you love cats, if there is something that every feline owner dislikes, it is the smell of their urine. And, if your cat had fun peeing outside of his litter box, you’ll feel it the moment you step foot in the house. Fortunately, there are reliable ways to eradicate this problem. Simple and economical home solutions to eliminate this overwhelming odor.
Tip #1: vinegar to eliminate the smell of cat urine
The smell of cat urine is an annoying problem for the domestic environment. Especially because, although we have carefully cleaned the infected areas many times, the smell still persists. Rest assured, not for long, especially with this preferred ally!
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Eliminate excess cat urine
First of all, if you are in the area, you should act quickly while the pee is still fresh! As soon as you notice the puddle somewhere, remove it with paper towels. Of course, if your cat has urinated on the floor it makes your life easier since it can dry easily, things get complicated when your little monster has relieved itself on the sofa, armchair or even in your bed. As soon as urine comes into contact with fabrics, sheets, cushions or carpets, the cleaning operation is more laborious.
Information:
The longer cat urine remains on a surface, the more the odor intensifies and penetrates the tissues. Once dry, it leaves an unpleasant odor and may even prompt your cat to urinate in the same spot again.
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Mix the water and vinegar.
Well, let’s not panic and give everything to the vinegar! This versatile product is a strong partner when it comes to home cleaning. In addition to being antibacterial and ecological, it is a first-class deodorant. Therefore, you can count on it to effectively eliminate this unbearable odor. Simply mix equal parts water and vinegar in a container (or spray bottle) to thoroughly clean the affected area and mask the unpleasant odor.
Why is vinegar so effective? Thanks to its acidity, it neutralizes the bacteria present in the cat’s urine and drives away unwanted vapors. Vinegar can also break down alkaline salts that form in dried urine. Oh yes, but the vinegar itself gives off a strong smell, do you think? That’s true, but don’t worry, it fades pretty quickly, you’ll see. And in no time the annoying smell of cat urine will disappear!
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Add isopropyl alcohol to the water and vinegar mixture.
For an even more effective result, feel free to add the same amount of isopropyl alcohol to the vinegar and water solution. Shake well and that’s it!
For information
If the smell of cat pee is so strong, it is also because of the ammonia it contains. Therefore, alcohol will significantly help dissipate it. That is why it is always recommended to add it to the solution for a more optimal result.
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Wet a clean cloth
Once the solution is well mixed, you can wet the cloth to thoroughly moisten it before rubbing the area soaked with your cat’s urine.
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Let the solution work
Sponge and moisten this area well. Let it sit for a few moments so that the remedy takes effect correctly. You can even leave the famous cloth soaked in the solution on top.
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Dampen another clean cloth in water.
After a few minutes, wipe the area with another damp cloth to remove any vinegar and alcohol residue. Don’t worry about the smell of the products, it will quickly fade over time. That’s it, you’ll just have to wait for the area to dry properly. And you will be relieved to see that the bad smell is completely gone!
Tip #2: Hydrogen peroxide to eliminate urine odor
Still a little skeptical? Do you notice that there is still a lingering background odor? Don’t worry, hydrogen peroxide can come to your rescue! Right after using the previous solution, you will be able to further eliminate the persistent odor thanks to the properties of this product, especially effective on parquet floors, but also on carpets, sofas and even clothing. Did you know that hydrogen peroxide is 30% more oxidizing than chlorine? This will completely eliminate the ammonia smell coming from the cat’s urine. How to use ? Apply directly to the smelly area and leave it to act for at least 5 minutes. Then rub the surface again.
Caution
The problem with the Hydrogen peroxide is what can cause discoloration of fabrics. Therefore, it is best to test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure you do not cause any damage.
Tip #3: Baking Soda to Eliminate Cat Urine Smell
Like vinegar, thanks to its cleaning and deodorizing potential, baking soda is also a champion for quickly eliminating urine odor. The application is very simple: you will only have to sprinkle a sufficient amount of this white powder on the carpet or furniture after cleaning your cat’s urine (make sure the area is dry before doing so). Let the baking soda sit for about 15 to 30 minutes and it will absorb all the bad smell that is bothering you. Finally, vacuum carefully to remove any remaining residue.
How to prevent your cat from urinating inside the house?
Obviously, it is always good to have small tips to quickly eliminate the smell of cat pee, but the ideal, of course, would be to prevent it from recurring. If the phenomenon is quite rare and really punctual, it is not a big deal, but if it happens repeatedly, it is best to take your cat directly to the vet for a thorough examination. It will then detect what is likely causing the problem. If the problem is medical, appropriate treatment will be prescribed. Otherwise, retraining or changing the litter box will be necessary.
If there has been a major change at home, such as a move, a reorganization of the premises or the arrival of a new cat, it should not be surprising if your pet becomes upset. But it won’t last long, it will eventually get its bearings. Try to be tolerant, understand his change better, and encourage him to return to his old habits with simple measures.
Frequently asked questions
How to remove urine smell from a fabric sofa?
In fact, it all depends on the material of the sofa. On certain delicate fabrics, it is sometimes difficult to remove stains or the smell of cat pee. This sometimes requires very specific care.
If the siding can be cleaned with a wet solution (check the W or WS symbols on the label), the household solutions offered today will do the job perfectly. But if you require dry cleaning, It is best to dry the stains carefully with a cloth and contact a professional to avoid damaging the fabrics.
How to remove the strong smell of cat urine from clothes?
First of all, during each procedure it is advisable to use gloves to avoid direct contact with the products or urine stains that contain bacteria. If your clothes have become impregnated with this strong smell, here are some home methods that will help you dissipate it:
cider vinegar
Put your dirty clothes in the washing machine. Use ¼ cup apple cider vinegar mixed with a little laundry detergent. Run a short wash cycle. You will be pleasantly surprised to see that the urine smell has completely disappeared.
Baking soda
The other tip is to sprinkle some baking soda directly on clothes that smell like urine or add it to laundry detergent. Not only will the stains disappear, but all the bad urine odor will be effectively absorbed by the baking soda. Like nothing !
Savon
Even the classic detergent, which you usually use to wash clothes, will be very effective in dispelling the unpleasant odor. Simply put a little water on the affected area to moisten it well and add plenty of soap. Rub well to remove the urine stain and at the same time the strong smell will dissipate. Guaranteed freshness!
