How To Get Rid of The Smell of Cat Pee: 6 Steps to Cleaning Cat Spray and Urine

No matter how tidy or well-trained your kitty is, there are still times when they might feel the need to mark their space. If you’ve noticed your cat is spraying in the house, you’re probably familiar with how unpleasant the smell can be! 

There are many reasons why cats spray, such as territorial marking or a response to stress. But no matter the cause, it’s important to know how to remove the cat spray smell quickly, to help prevent your cat from repeating the behaviour. 

So, what’s the best thing to get rid of the smell of cat pee? In this step-by-step guide, we’ll take you through how you can effectively remove the smell and prevent your cat from marking the same spot again.

6 Steps to Remove Cat Urine Smell in the House

Step 1: Locate the Cat Spray or Cat Urine Marks in the House

If you see your cat spraying in the house, act fast! Be sure to clean it as soon as possible to stop the scent and marks from setting and soaking in. 

However, it can be harder to find the source of the smell than you might think! Cats are attracted to vertical surfaces when spraying, so start by checking areas like walls, sofas, carpets and even curtains. Using a blacklight can also help to highlight the location.

Step 2: Consider the Surface Before You Start Cleaning

The location of the spray marks and their age will affect how you treat them. For dried marks, especially when cleaning cat pee from carpet, soak the area with warm water first to help lift the stain. Then, blot them before adding cleaning products.

Many surfaces can be thoroughly cleaned by wiping them down with warm soapy water, or a mixture of alcohol and water. After this, you can use a clean towel to blot it dry or let it air dry.

Step 3: Clean the Cat Urine Smell Using the Right Solution

Thoroughly clean the area by using warm soapy water, an alcohol solution or an enzyme-neutralizing cleaner. When figuring out how to clean cat pee it’s important to avoid rubbing the marks as this can cause the stain to set or soak in. Use paper or cloth towels to blot the area thoroughly. 

It’s important to choose cleaning products that don’t contain ammonia. Ammonia can smell like urine and encourage your cat to spray in the same area again. Some of the best things to get rid of a cat pee smell include: 

Natural cleaners 

Using warm soapy water is an effective, non-toxic way to remove a cat urine smell. 

Along with this, you can spread a few tablespoons of baking soda evenly over the spot, leave it for a few hours, or overnight if possible, and vacuum it up the next morning. Baking soda is non-toxic and won’t harm your cat.

Rubbing alcohol or surgical spirit

After blotting up as much urine as possible, spray or dab rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or surgical spirit on the area. You can use it undiluted or mix equal amounts of alcohol and water to create a cleaning spray. 

Make sure to test this first so it doesn’t damage any furniture or materials in your home. 

Enzyme-neutralising cleaner 

This cleaner breaks down molecules, removing the cat urine smell. You can buy ready-made enzymatic cleaning products or consider using a 10% solution of enzymatic washing powder for a DIY option.

First, use water to dilute, then blot the sprayed area with a towel. Apply the enzyme cleaner to the dampened area, making sure it’s saturated. 

Leave it for 10-15 minutes (or as directed), blot again with cold water and leave to dry without heat. 

To prevent your cat from returning, cover the area with an upturned box while allowing airflow. If the item is machine washable, you can add the cleaner to the wash.

Step 4: Repeat Cleaning the Cat Spray or Urine if Needed

If you find that your first cleaning efforts haven’t fully removed the smell, you may need to repeat the process. This is often the case when cleaning cat pee from a carpet with a thick pile. 

If you’re wondering how to remove the cat spray smell completely, kitty spray stains can be stubborn and repeating the process is often the best way to make sure the scent is gone. For heavily sprayed areas, it’s best to remove the item or material if possible.

Once the area has dried, you can repeat your cleaning process to be sure all traces are gone. It’s also worth cleaning a larger area than you might expect, as urine can soak into surrounding materials, and any scent left behind may attract your furry friend back to the same spot!

Step 5: Dry the Area Thoroughly to Remove Lingering Cat Urine Smells

Once you have cleaned the area, allow as much air as possible into the room. 

It’s also not advisable to use a steam cleaner to remove the smell. The heat from the cleaner can set the stain into your furniture or floor and make it much harder to remove.

Step 6: Prevent Cat Spraying in the House With Calming Products

After removing the cat urine smell, the next step is preventing your cat from returning to the same spot to spray. Cats may spray in the house due to stress, territory marking, illness - or even because they don’t like their litter box! Therefore, creating a calm and secure environment is key. 

When looking at how to stop your cat from spraying, try removing stressors where possible and keeping to a routine. Using a calming diffuser such as FELIWAY Optimum can bring comfort and reassurance to your cat. Studies have shown it is an effective way to reduce urine spraying by cats and is simple to use. Just plug the diffuser into the room where your cat spends most of their time.

To target specific spots, you can also spray FELIWAY Classic Spray on the areas you have cleaned. The pheromone message of comfort helps deter your cat from spraying in the same place again

Key Takeaways: How to Remove Cat Spray Smell

• Act quickly to clean cat urine and spray marks – Immediate action is key to prevent the smell from setting in. Start by blotting the area with a clean towel and be sure to avoid rubbing the marks. 

• Use non-toxic or enzyme cleaners on the area – Clean the affected areas of your home with ammonia-free cleaners like warm water and soap, baking soda, rubbing alcohol or enzyme-neutralising cleaners.  

• Repeat the cleaning process if necessary – Cat spray stains can be stubborn and may need multiple cleaning sessions to completely remove the scent and help discourage your cat from repeating the behaviour. 

• Dry the area thoroughly to avoid lingering odours – Make sure the area is fully dried before you know whether you have successfully removed the cat urine smell. Don’t use heat when drying as this can make the odour permanent. 

• Find out the cause of your cat’s spraying or urinating – Understand what might be making your cat spray in the house, such as stress or territorial behaviour. Use products like FELIWAY Optimum to help your cat feel comfortable in their environment and prevent future incidents. 

If you’d like to learn more about feline well-being, explore more of the FELIWAY blog online for expert-backed advice and insights. And don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest tips and product support for a happier, calmer cat!