How to remove cat urine smell on carpet?

Updated on January 24, 2014
K.I. asks from Littleton, CO
43 answers

My eleven year old tom-cat began urinating inappropriately as soon as my daughter started walking. He has peed in her room, and in a guest room. I had the carpet professionally cleaned once, but he re-soiled the area and got a throw rug and a quilt to boot. I have washed the quilt and it is fine, but after spot cleaning and steam cleaning the carpet and rug, the smell is still very obvious to me. As far as the cat is concerned, he is now on kitty prozac and we try to keep all of the doors shut. Now what do I do to get the smell out? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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Summary

Some moms suggested to use vinegar, water, ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. The vinegar will neutralize the ammonia and hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer capable of killing bacteria which cause the urine smells. Baking soda is a well known deodorizer which absorbs odors. Sprinkle it on your carpet monthly then vacuum up to keep your carpet smelling fresh all the time. If smell still persists, contact the professionals.

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C.M.

answers from Missoula on

I have used Get Serious, spot/ or just carpet cleaner (it even gets out blood) from the pet store, it removes the enzymes (or the marking scent) so the pet won't repeat the marking... it has worked for us! Good luck!

C.

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C.R.

answers from Denver on

try tea tree oil and lavender in a rug cleaner. and making a scahet (?) of it. It helps Cats don't like the tea tree oil.

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S.H.

answers from Colorado Springs on

You can go to Service Master of Colorado Springs and get one of their pet odor spot remover kits - the enzymes in it should eliminate the smell. They might also give you other ideas. Their phone # is ###-###-####. Good luck.

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M.P.

answers from Denver on

K., I feel for you. I've had the same trouble with two cats and a dog! Since we've had our son, the pets seem to have forgotten their past good potty habits.

Anyway, your carpet may be too far gone for this to work, but I've had good success using Natures Miracle. It's available at PetsMart. Read the directions and follow them. Sometimes it takes more than one treatment.

Good luck!

E.B.

answers from Fort Collins on

I have the same problem with a rug we just got from my grandma. I do not have any solutions to offer, but I would strongly suggest NOT using oxyclean. It does a great job of cleaning the carpet, but it with damage your carpet's color. I have read numerous reviews of people who were very pleased with the results of Oxyclean until they cleaned their carpets again years later when they moved out only to have the color come off the carpet where they had previously cleaned it.

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C.W.

answers from Denver on

I have had this problem with our cats too. They are older and seem to have so many issues and attitude. I work from home for a health and wellness company and would be happy to share them with you. WHY? because they have an amazing product that is non toxic that gets rid of that smell.. Our cats don't like it either so it has actually forced them back into the habbit of using their box and we have had no accidents in 3 years from them.

Let me know if you would like to know more..

C.
www.AHomeCareer.com

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A.J.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Cat urine is extremely hard to get rid of. For very bad cases, you may have to remove the carpet and pad, seal the floor, have the carpet cleaned from both the front and the back sides, have NEW pad installed, and then lay the carpet back down. Even then you can still smell it on damp humid days, but I think thats only because you know it is there.

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K.J.

answers from Salt Lake City on

scrub with soap and water

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L.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I, too, had a cat that drove me crazy with this! And I couldn't afford to keep buying Nature's Miracle (which didn't work as well as I wanted anyway). So, I stumbled across this:

www.stinkypets.com

For $10 they give you a very simple and cheap recipe that gets rid of the odor. They guarantee the results, and will even help you with advice if it doesn't work at first. I was skeptical about paying money to some unknown, but I have been very happy. Besides, it is only $10, much cheaper than the products out there, the recipe costs less than $3, and it works on all kinds of surfaces.

Good luck,

L.

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C.C.

answers from Salt Lake City on

the main ingredient in oxy clean is borax, and borax is much cheaper, you find it on the laundry aisle. I put it down on the carpet and dampen it, so it soaks in just like the pee did then when it is dry I vacuum it up. I haven't had the cat pee smell come back and it has been a few weeks. I use the borax when my dd leaks at night and it keeps her mattress from stinking--so I tried it after the cat had some issues and walaa...(is that a word? haha)

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J.F.

answers from Billings on

Try Kidz N' Pets....a carpet cleaner you can get at Target or at Amazon.com. I had a similar problem and this worked great for me at getting out both cat urine and dog vomit. Also...try Woolite OxyClean carpet cleaner. It comes in a blue spray bottle and it is the BEST!!! It got out set-in red wine stains. I recommend it to everyone!!!

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J.G.

answers from Pueblo on

i have that same problem i dont know what to do!!i have tried lots!! if ya figure any thing out let me know

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G.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

There's a product out there called Kids and Pets (I got it at Walmart) that does a pretty good job of removing odors. Simply saturate the peed-on areas with the solution and let it dry. It will get rid of cat pee odors in carpet, although if it has soaked through to the pad it may need to be re-treated periodically as the cat urine wicks its way back up through the fibers (I know, eewww!). This same product works wonders if your child pees or vomits on something.

Good luck.

G.

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M.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I have had that happen to me many times, and if the urine is able to soak the mat, there is no getting the smell out with just carpet cleaners. What I do is pull the carpet up, cut out the mat that is smelly and either wash it with strong urine remover or bleach and let it completely dry. Then I clean the carpet while the mat is out and also clean the floor under the mat. When everything is completely dry and I'm sure there is no more smell, I staple the mat back down and put the carpet back over it. I know this sounds like a major pain, but it is easier than re-carpeting, and the smell is gone for good. If your peeing problem is fixed, spend a day getting the odor out and it will make your life much better than going nuts every time you get a sniff of odor.

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

Go to Petsmart and get some cleaner they have...called Natures miracle or something like that. You can then get a spray that keeps them away from certain areas. Is he neutered as that can cause problems with marking in male cats.
The smell is awful and will pretty much stay on most surfaces forever to some degree. Also try Oxy Clean products, they help a lot removing stains and odors.

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J.M.

answers from Pocatello on

We have a few tom cats wondering around. I love natures miracle for cats. It works great. You can get it from most big name pet stores. Good luck. I hate that smell and this gets rid of it.

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A.D.

answers from Great Falls on

K.,
Our dog had a bladder problem, and after trying and spending on everything out there, I found that vinegar and water work wonders! (if you can stand the smell of vinegar-I personally love it )

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C.P.

answers from Denver on

I agree with Ann. We had this EXACT thing happen about a month ago. We bought the Natures Miracle, and it worked. PLUS, our daugther vomitted on our couch a week or so ago. Even though we tried to get the smell out, we finally used the Nature's Miracle on it, and now the smell is gone!

Chrissy

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T.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

The only thing that I have ever found that will get that smell out is A product called Nature's Miracle. I know it ia available at Petsmart, I don't know of anywhere else. White Bottle with red print and picture of cats and dogs in red too.

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R.R.

answers from Provo on

I have this problem almost every time I get a new cat. I can usually get it out with a rug doctor or something like that. I wish it was as easy as it is with dogs.

R. | http://ddrestoration.com/services.nxg

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A.W.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I have had great luck using a black light to find the solied spots and then treating with a product that I find at PetsMart called Simple Solution. Nature's Miralce is also good, but I found that the Simple Solution works a LOT better. Go to www.PetsMart.com and do a search and you'll find all the available products.
Good Luck!

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H.M.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Try the "PURT" treatment from ChemDry...any of the ChemDry businesses will have it. It is their Pet Urine Removal Treatment. My aging doggie was having accidents and that was the only thing that really removed the smell and the bacteria. It can be pricy, but it WELL worth it! Good luck.

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A.T.

answers from Denver on

I had a cat that had the urine problem the entire time she was alive. The only thing I found that worked was recommended in that book by "The Queen of Clean." Here's the information from her website:
ODORZOUT®
This is a fabulous, dry, 100 percent natural deodorizer. It's nontoxic, so you can use it any place you have a smell or a stink.

It is especially effective on pet urine odors, and because it's used dry, it's simple to apply.

If you have anything in your home that has a smell or a stink, there is no better product made than ODORZOUT®!

or more information, call 1-800-88-STINK (78465) or visit their Web page at www.88stink.com to locate a store near you!

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J.L.

answers from Pocatello on

Try Neutroleum Alpha. This stuff gets rid of any smell. I have used it on kid and dog urine, vomit, and cigarette smoke among other things. You get it at the Pocatello Supply Depot. You will have to write or call them and they will mail you some. If you live in the area you can drive by and pick some up too. It may seem a bit expensive, but a jar will last forever.

Pocatello Supply Depot
238 Dillon
Pocatello, Idaho 83201
###-###-####

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E.S.

answers from Missoula on

You might want to have your vet check the kitty for a kidney (or other) problem. Our old boy cat "sprayed" even tho he was neutered. It was so agrravating! It turned out he had kidney disease. We didn't find out until too late.

Try BioKleen's Bac-Out on the stinky spots. We also used Nature's Miracle with some success.

Regardless of what you use on the spots, you'll need to really saturate the area so the solution gets under the carpet and into the pad underneath.

Good luck and don't forget to pet your kittycat.

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K.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

How awful!!! I don't know any miracle product that works on Tomcat urine. My husbands family had to tear up the whole area where their cat had been going and completely redo the pad and carpet. We also had a Tomcat that started doing this. The advice we recieved when calling about it was that once they start doing it, they aren't going to stop. We got rid of him right away and had to get rid of the rugs that he had gone on because nothing worked. Good luck - that is such a hard one.

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S.M.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Hi K.,

Oxyclean is the best. I prefer the powder you get for laundry, mix it with some warm water and pour over the affected area. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then use a towel to soak up extra moisture and vacuum. My dog had a case of the runs in my husbands car, I used the oxyclean, it leaves no odor like other cleaners, my husband never new. I have used it on carpet and couches that my cats have sprayed and where the dog had a problem and in the laundry when the kids were potty training. It takes away all of the odor and, again, does not leave a residual smell of cleaner.
Good luck,
SarahMM

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J.H.

answers from Billings on

Have you tried Nature's Miracle? I use it for our dog, who is unable to control herself when excited or nervous...it works great on the stain AND the odor! As a bonus, it also works on human accidents, so have it on hand when you start potty training your daughter. You can get it at most pet stores and vet's offices, and it is non-toxic to people and animals. I swear by it!

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D.G.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Good luck with that...the only thing I have found that even remotely works on pet smells is a product from Woolite - choose the one with bio pet stain remover on it. It actually works well with just about all kinds of stains, but cat urine is the worst!

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M.Z.

answers from Denver on

Hi K.,
Before you spend beaucoup dollars on fancy smelling products that may not work, for a few cents, a mixture of vinegar and water will do work great -- it's the least expensive and the cat will not repeat. You only need 1/4 C vinegar to 3/4 cup of water for it to work...I have had indoor cats all my life and this simple home remedy works far better and much faster than the expensive Nature's Miracle and Oxiclean, Urine Be Gone, etc...I've tried them all having cats for over 30 years. Wet the area well with the vinegar/water mixture, let it dry; the vinegar smell will go away in a few days. Or when it's dry, apply borax (another cheap home remedy for stains and odors - as mentioned in another response here). A mixture of borax and water (mixed to a watery paste consistency, or 1 Tbsp to 1/4C water) in the soiled area will immediately solve the vinegar odor -- leave it to dry no more than 4-6 hours; make sure you vacuum it up - borax can take the color out of carpet if left too long.

Good luck.
M.

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S.A.

answers from Denver on

Heard if you spray the area on top of paper towels, a water & white vinegar mixture, will keep him from marking his spot again. Im not sure if it'll take away the smell, so you'll be smelling the vinegar instead?

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J.S.

answers from Denver on

Hi K., this experience is tricky. Your cat is "pissed off" at your daughter. When these behaviors happen with animals they are attempting to communicate what's happenig for them. Your cat deserves to be honored the same way your children are. If you're interested I will give you a free 1/2 hour consultation to support everyone involved here.
Let me know........J. Sexton ###-###-#### (no hidden agenda)www.tag-youre-it.com

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M.B.

answers from Denver on

We had a similar problem. This is expensive but it is definitely worth it: Urine Contamination/Pet Mess Specialist Tim Faulkner. He works out of Denver and Colorado Springs and even came up to our place in the Golden foothills. ###-###-#### or ###-###-####. They come up at night with an ultraviolet light and mark all the areas affected which, surprisingly, can go up your walls, seep past wood and into the area behind etc. They then come back and will keep digging away until the urine is completely gone. If it is bad and you will let them, they will scrape up cement and remove drywall if they have too before refilling and sealing the area back up. That's why it is so expensive, but it is really the only thing that works. They will also clean your carpet and replace the padding if that is all you need, but in most cases the urine has seeped past the padding and they will take care of that to. Tim is the only person I have found who is equipped to go that deep down and I'm very happy with his work.

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M.F.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Hi K.,

Oh dear. Is your kitty a show cat? If not, I hope your veterinarian spoke to you about neutering him, as even with neutering and certainly without, he will probably keep peeing all over the house.

More bad news, I'm afraid. YOu can try natures miracle, "Outright" products, and Oxyfresh, but too often the urine has soaked into the carpet padding and you will have to rip the whole thing up and replace or seal the subfloor to get rid of the smell.

Best of luck-I'll be thinking of you.
-M.

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D.A.

answers from Denver on

Hi K.,
Cat smell is so hard to get out! There is a product called Anti Icky Pooh. Crazy name, but it works! You can find it on Amazon. Basically, if you use a black light at night the cat urine will glow. Then you inject the A.I.P. into the carpet with a syringe. In 24 hours the urine will dry up into salt and you vacuum it up. It works amazing and the smell is gone!

Good luck!

Here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/ANTI-ICKY-POO-STARTER-products/dp/B...

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M.S.

answers from Denver on

nature's miracle w/the battery operated spray nozzle. don't know why, but the nozzle works way better than just saturating the carpet. it eliminated an odor that we had doused at least 5 times w/only slight improvement each time until we used the spray nozzle.
or try professional carpet cleaning using someone w/pet experience. I have a friend who the pros got out cat pee on her couch and carpet.

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M.H.

answers from Boise on

Try white vinegar. Cats hate the smell, and it will help break done the smell of the urine. i had a cat who did this alot when he got old, he never did it before that. That was the best and cheapest way for me to get rid of the smell. Since cats hate the smell of it, it often keeps them from going there again. Good luck.

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J.D.

answers from Great Falls on

UrineGone is an "as seen on TV" product available now at target and walmart. It's about $20 for 2 trigger spray bottles that seem to last quite awhile. My mothers house REEKED of cat pee when all three of her cats got too old to make it to the litter box and sprayed the whole house. I got her some UrineGone and it helped immensely. Mom isn't much of a housekeeper so getting the smell out was an accomplishment in itself. Hope this helps.

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N.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Hello I used to work as a vet tech and have a cat of my own. 1st off I would get him fixed ASAP and that will help a little and use vinegar on the site it can help with that amonia smell. A tom cat's urine is one of the worst!! try 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water

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J.C.

answers from Salt Lake City on

We use a steam cleaner with Natures miracle and clean the entire place... When we find a spot- I put baking soda on it and then white vinegar and then clean up the baking soda. This has left white spots in our carpet (not getting all the baking soda up) so when I do use the wet vac (steam cleaner) I concentrate in those areas with Natures miracle until the white is all gone as well.

I don't use the wet vac each time there is an accident. Probably about once to twice a week. That often is probably too much for your carpet but we live in an apartment so the longevity of the carpet isn't our biggest concern. You can rent steam cleaners at quite a few grocery stores.
We're house training our dog... I also used to have cats and tried this with them as well. Our dog does not have a special place that she regularly pees when we dont get her out in time so I'm fairly certain that it sufficiently kills the enzymes. PLUS Natures Miracle smells Great!

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J.O.

answers from Boise on

I have lots of cats and run into this problem regularly :(, not every day but often enough, the one thing I always did was use a urine remover that can be found at any store where pet stuff is sold, after cleaning it I would apply a little baking soda and let it set for a few hours then vacuum it up, it works, but I had seen other people on this sight recommend vinegar and water, equal parts, but all I kept thinking was that the house would smell like vinegar, truthfully that smells better then the cat urine, anyway's I was watching a talk show and the lady said the same thing, it breaks down the "link" that cause it to smell,so it lessons the chance of a them doing it again. My outside cats (some are strays) like to "squirt" my screen door and when you open the door imagine the odor, well I tried it, the smell is gone and the vinegar smell was minimal at best, and it isn't being "squirted" as often, so you could give that a try.

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K.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Fabuloso with lavender! Try it in a carpet cleaner.

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C.D.

answers from Denver on

Hi K.,

There is a product called "Urine Be Gone," It worked for my male dog urine smell. Cats are pretty fume though. Also, have you tried baking soda (applied when the carpet in slightly damp after shampooing?) Hope these items help.

Cath

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