Urine Smells///////////and Cats Straying from Liter Boxes

take them to the vet, it may be more than just a not-so-perfectly clean litter box. YOu can also consider laying a couch slip cover over it until they are done spraying it. For smell, I think they have something at the pet stores for that.....

Good luck W.

I had a friend with that problem. She put everything on it from baking soda to tomatoe juice and vinegar. Long story short nothing worked and the vet told her once the cats go on something they continue to do it. She ended up getting rid of the cats.

One winter a bag of fresh shrimp leaked in the back of my station wagon, and I didn't realize for several days until the weather warmed up a little--but then the stench hit! I randomly found a product called Odoban (I think) in the grocery store. I didn't have high hopes, but it totally worked--completely got rid of the smell! Maybe it would work for you too. Good luck!

Buy about a gallon of Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution. You can get this at Petco or PetSmart. I think Nature's Miracle has a formula specifically for cats. The key to using this stuff is that you have to soak the affected are and let it sit for several hours, or even over night, so it penetrates. I had a female cat that sprayed between the cushions of my couch, and also in the seat of my husband's easy chair, unlike my boy kitties, who tend to pee on the floor. Clean your catboxes out with the stuff, and see if you can find some "cat attract" cat litter, it has pheromones in it to attract the kitties to the litter box. If this doesn't work take the kitties to the vet to make sure they don't have any kidney, bladder, or urinary tract problems. Commercially available cat food has lots of phosphorus in it and sometimes kitties lose the ability to metabolize it (trust me on this, I've been to the vet about 5 times in the past year for this problem with just one cat, he has to eat prescription food for the rest of his life). If the vet doesn't think there's anything wrong with their little kitty guts, you may ask if he thinks it's behavioral, and they can give the kitties some meds for that. If you're not the type of person who wants your kitties on drugs, there are homeopathic remedies you can put in their water to help them with anxiety ( like Bach's flower remedies ).

Hope this helps!

Try using apple-cider vinegar on a rag. Blot the urine spots. Then let dry. The vinegar is a natural odor absorbing agent. Once dry, you can sprinkle a little baking soda and let it set for about 10 minutes and vacuum.

We use to have a product called sink the stink that we used for our wet suits when we were suba diving. I had a cat that was shut up in our van accidently- ugh over night. Anyway- I used it on that consistently for a week or two and the smell slowly went away. You can find it at a dive shop if ou have one near by- mix it as directed in a spray bottle; saturate the area and let sit and then use rags to blot excess moisture and then allow to dry.

As far as cats straying- hard to fix that other than having more than one litter box and you may want to try different liters. I had a cat that didn't like one I bought and would go just outside the box instead- when I changed litter she was fine. Our cats are indoor/outdoor.

Good Luck

Hi R.!

We had the same problem with our cats when we first got them. You might try Dr Elsey's Cat Attract or Kitten Attract litter. They sell it at Petsmart. It is more expensive than other litter, but our cats have not gone outside the litter boxes since we started using it.

Good luck!
P.

Hi. There are products specifically made to remove urine smells available at pet stores. Urine doesn't just wash away with water/ regular cleaners, you have to get something to break down the enzymes in it. I've used Nature's Miracle with good results in the past- good luck!

There is an awsome product called Simple Solutions that you can find at your pet store. It has a great soft smell and works terrrrrrificalllllllly!!!!!!! We heard about it from a breeder and tried it with our dog who had bladder issues. The more children we added the more we found it worked well for when our children had accidents in their beds or on the floor or in the laundry. I could go on and on, but just know that even now when our children have little accidents and we don't have the poor dog with the bladder issues, I still keep it on hand. I would own stock in it if I knew how. Good luck

As far as smells go, make a paste with baking soda and water scrub it into the couch and let sit for about an hour then rinse with plain water. If the smell is still there repeat but scrub into fabric with old toothbrush and rinse. It may take a few tries but it should work, if not you can try vingar, although it is kinda h*** o* the nose, but once the urine smell is gone then the baking soda will get rid of the vinegar smell. Good luck! Sorry I can't help with the cat boxes.

I have 3 cats and they don't like using a dirty box either. I bought one of those automatic litter boxes, about $80, but well worth it. It's super easy to empty and my cats haven't peed on the laundry since we got it (about two years ago). Also keeps the dogs from having a little snack every now and then :-).
I've always used Nature's Miracle to clean pee smells. The thing is you have to get everywhere the pee went, not just the surface, so you'll use a ton. They do sell it by the gallon.
Good luck!
KP

That urine smell is going to be a tough one, esp if it has soaked through to the foam cushions. You will probably have to get rid of this couch, too. However, you can try a shampooer with an upholstery attachment to see if that can get to the root of the problem. Get a good commercial cleaning solution, as water just adds to the problem if not treated properly. If you manage to get it out, I would put a water-proof sofa cover on the sofa. The only other suggestion I have is get one of those self cleaning litter boxes.
There are several things you can try to the root of the problem. Could it be that the litter box is not in private enough place? Have you tried putting it in another place? Have you changed litter brands recently? Have you changed their food? Are they acting sick?
I will be honest- I have two cats. My male cat was wonderful about the litter box until I brought home my son from the hospital. He started #2 on the floor which is just not sanitary with children around. After much frustration, we eventually put him outside, and he has been happier and so have we. He still comes in for love everyday, but he wants to be outside all the time now. It may not be a solution for you, but this was the only solution I found in the end. Good luck!

R.--Not sure how to get out the smell.....I've never had much luck the few times our cats have gone somewere other than their litter box. However, I did want to give you some ideas about your sofa. If your coushions are removable check JoAnne fabrics for coushion foam and you may be able to replace it. If the smell is in the fabric also you could remove it and buy a slip cover. I realize slip covers are expensive but it would be cheaper than a new sofa. Finally, if you must get rid of it you could check out HomeReserve.com that is were we bought our new living room set (wich we absolutely love!!) and they have some fabric that is made for pet owners---the liquid beads up instead of soaking in, so if you catch it in time you can just wipe it up. I will admit that I don't know how long liquid can sit on the fabric without soaking in but you could e-mail customer service and ask---they were really good about answering my questions quickly.
Good luck!
peace

We just adopted 2 kittens, now 4 months old. I don't know the answer to your problem, but thought I would forward a website forum I found with a lot of cat information. Check out catforum.com

Someone told me that spraying listerine on the spots removes the smell and the don't remark. I'm trying it now and so far it's working. Also, some cats are really picky about their litter boxes. They may not like the litter or if it gets slightly smelly they won't go there. I use feline pine as it's great for smell control, you can flush it down the toilet or use it for mulch in your yard. Turns to a sawdust material when it's done and you can sift out the dust leaving the remaining pellets to save on litter costs. I know that in most places you are not supposed to put any kind of cat litter in your trash and most dumps won't take it either.
Hope this helps
Kat

R.,

I have two things to share. 1) We like "Simple Solution" stain and odor remover. You have to really soak the area. It neutralized the odor and discourages re-using the same spot. Now, we haven't used it for big areas, but spot cleaning for us has been a success. And 2) we had 2 (properly neutered) male cats who began to spray in the house. We got angry, cleaned up as best we could and forgave them...for far too long. One day I just decided enough was enough and banished them to the outside. Ah-h-h-h what a relief. We were far more relaxed, loved our cats more and they seemed to be happy (they were indoor/outdoor and confident outdoors). Sometimes what sounds like the worst is not so bad... H.

While I don't have any cats, I do have 2 dogs. They were both doing great house training..... until I got a diaper Genie in my son's room. Then they have started going in his room to potty. I talked to the pet trainer at Pet Smart, and he recommended Natures Own. Thoroughly saturate the area with it, let it dry. It does work very very well. I hope this helps!

I can't tell you how to keep your cats from straying from the box, but I can tell you that I have had a similar problem. I had a cat that became sick and started using the bathroom all over the house. I was very surprised when he used my couch. I did all the things you did and more. The smell was always there. I ended up taking the cushions apart. I put the foam in the bathtub and used an old dishwashing liguid bottle filled with half bleach and half water and just saturated the foam. I put the foam outside on the clothes line until it dried. I used a cleaner for pet accidents on the fabric, and saturated it as well. Everything went back together fine and the smell is gone. Unfortunately the cat went outside, he comes in for brief periods. He is happy outdoors and is better behaved now.

Have you tried white vinegar? You can mix up a vinegar and water solution (half water, half vinegar) in a spray bottle and spray the offending area (couch, drapes, etc) and when it dries you won't have the vinegar smell and shouldn't have the cat urine smell, either. If it's really intense, you might have to do it a couple of times. Natures Miracle works pretty well, too, but costs more than the vinegar. As for the litter-pan problem.... usually daily scooping with a good clumping litter (not necessarily expensive -- I use the Special Kitty brand at Walmart) and and you might try using the Arm & Hammer cat litter deodorizer. It's in a tall orange box and is sold also at Walmart close to the cat litter. You might have to increase the amount of litter in the pan -- I keep mine at about 3 inches deep and and add a little when needed to keep it at about that depth. I also use a covered litter pan -- they seem to prefer a little privacy and it helps keep the litter in the pan and off the floor. Also, a throw rug placed in front of the litter pan seems to catch most of the litter that sticks to their feet as they come out of the pan and keeps it off the floor in the rest of the house.

I've found that to keep them away from a forbidden spot, a little black pepper sprinkled in the area helps. If the spot is in the carpet or furniture, just sprinkle it on and rub it in or around the cushions, etc. You won't smell it but they will and they don't like it.

I've kept cats forever -- I can't remember being without cats -- Usually Simese, and I've probably encountered just about any problem that there is with cats -- Do yours get into kyour potted plants? Try sticking plastic forks into the soil around the plants -- tines up (and I use the black colored ones that come from so many fast-food places). It won't hurt the cats and they soon get the idea that the plants are off limits.

Good luck.......G.

My brother cleans carpets and we have had problems with ours cats and I just want to get rid of them! But my brother said that cat urine is almost impossible to get out of the carpet and furnture so get rid of it! So I did with my carpet in the room they keep doing it in. Also I am trying some vingear and small amount of water to see if that stops them from going in one area upstairs.

Found one on line with great ratings called Kids N Pets Brand http://www.amazon.com/KIDS-N-PETS-Brand-Remover/dp/B0002N...

But a friend several years ago bought a stain/odor remover from Babies R Us with a pink label on it. I want to say it had stick figure drawing on it. But she said it worked on cat urine smell.

Best luck!

R. - I had this trouble with female cats too. My vet says to use club soda. She also has a special spray she sells at her office (The Cat Clinic on Falls of Neuse). She recommended only using the clumping litter, scooping every day, and never using the covered litter boxes. It helped, but I can never really get that urine smell out. We've gone through several couches as well.

We had an old dog who prefered the indoor plumbing to going outside. We purchased Urine Gone at Walgreens. I did not have the black light that was recommended to use with it. We just spray everywhere. You need to saturate the area and then let it air dry. The house did smell remarkably better. We bought the Urine Gone in MO. I have not looked for it in TN but it was in the section with "AS SEEN ON TV" stuff at one store and with the cleaning supplies in another store. Hope this helps. (We did use a lot of this but everything was saved)

Hello R.,
Vinegar will get the smell of cat urine out, but then you have to follow up with a pet neutralizer. Hopefully that will help. I recently seen an episode of Clean House with the same issue and that is what they recommended. I don't have any cats, but it seemed to work on t.v. ;) Good luck!

Hi R.,

Oxyfresh (not to be confused with oxyclean), has an ingredient that runs through most of our home and personal care products that completely eliminates odors. It doesn't mask odors, it gets rid of them. Doesn't matter if it's mouth odor (bad breath), or body odor, pet odor, accident on the carpet odor, cat urine, skunk, etc. It gets rid of odors. If you would like any information, just get back to me and I will be glad to help. Any mamasource members can try at my cost. Go to www.Oxyfresh.com/D. and look around. Then, if you want to see for yourself, let me know. There is always a 100% money back guarantee too. Plus, these products are non toxic and environmentally friendly. Safe for kids and pets.

<>< D.

Hi R., I use Sol-U-Mel to get dog odors out of our carpet and on the diaper pale and in with the diaper wash to get the urine smell out and it works great!

This product is safer for your home - your family - including your pets too!
You can look at my website if you like. D.

http://www.switchingstores.com/danipen