Home Remedies to Remove Cat Spray Odors

If your cat has a problem with spraying in the house, you'll definitely know very soon after it happens even if you aren't present at the time; cat urine is unfortunately a very potent substance. Even though it's urine they're leaving in various places throughout the house, it has nothing to do with a litter box problem; it's all about marking territory. Usually seen in unneutered male cats, it can come from either gender and is always a problem.

  1. Eliminating the Odor

    • If you happen to catch kitty in the act, you can give chase with a spray bottle full of water all you like, but it won't do any good at all. What you can do is get some paper towels and clean up as much of the urine as you can blot up. Wear gloves as this is something you don't want on your hands. Wash the area with warm soapy water to clean the carpet. Even if you're coming in after the fact, this will help to break down the hardened urine and get rid of it.

      There are several products on the market that can help you get rid of the urine such as Urine Gone. Depending on where the urine is, however, the smell may linger despite a thorough cleaning. Vinegar is one of the cheapest and most effective home remedies available; after you've cleaned the area as best you can, put white vinegar into a spray bottle and saturate the affected area. Vinegar is a terrific odor eliminator, but it takes some time. Open the windows and doors and ventilate the area well. When the vinegar evaporates and the smell is gone, it will take the odor with it. Never use ammonia to clean up cat urine. Ammonia smells too much like urine and may cause kitty to return to the scene of the crime for a repeat performance.

      Baking soda or fresh coffee grounds are terrific odor absorbers. Sprinkle either of them over the area once it is clean and dry and let it stay there for several hours or overnight. Vacuum or sweep it up in the morning and repeat if needed.

      If an entire room is affected by the smell, cut up an onion and place the pieces in a bowl of water. Place the bowl in the center of the room and close the door. Leave it to sit overnight and it will absorb odors in the air.

    Preventing the Odor

    • Having your cat fixed will often resolve the problem immediately, but not all the time. If your cat is fixed and continues to spray, talk to your vet to rule out any medical problems and other possible causes.