What Gets Rid of Cat Spray Smell?

A cat sprays vertical surfaces as a form of urine marking. When a cat, usually an un-neutered male, sprays a surface in your home, such as a piece of furniture, wall or carpet, the urine it sprays contains powerful pheromones. These pheromones cause the urine to have a pungent, unpleasant aroma to humans. To help stop your cat from spraying the same areas and freshen your home, clean and neutralize the sprayed urine.

  1. Enzymes

    • Remove cat urine and its component chemicals with a cleaner or laundry detergent that contains live microorganisms and enzymes. These cleaners will specifically target biological stains and break them down, and the live microorganisms will ingest the urine, eliminating it and its odor completely. You can use enzymatic cleaners on a variety of surfaces, such as carpeting, upholstery, furniture, tile or wood. Blot and rinse any urine stains with paper towels or cloths, rinse the stain with water, blot again and apply the enzymatic cleaner. These cleaners need time to work, so simply wet the area with the cleaner and let it dry naturally to completely remove the urine odor.

    Oxygen Bleach

    • When cat urine sits on any surface, especially cloth or carpet, bacteria can form in the spot and add to the odor. To eliminate the urine and bacteria, use an antibacterial agent such as oxygen bleach or hydrogen peroxide. The oxygen bleach will eliminate both the urine, its odor and any stain the urine spray has left behind. Mix 2 to 3 tbsp. of powdered oxygen bleach with 1 cup of warm water and, after blotting the stain and rinsing it with water, douse the area with the bleach solution. You can use oxygen bleach safely on different colors and fabrics, and since it does not leave behind chemical residue, you do not have to rinse it away. It will simply break down into water and oxygen, which is also safe for the environment and to use around your cat.

    Vinegar

    • Vinegar contains acetic acid that kills bacteria to help neutralize odors caused by cat urine spray. Mix equal parts vinegar and water together and place the solution in a spray bottle. After blotting and rinsing the cat urine stain with water, spray it on the area. The scent of the vinegar will also discourage the cat from remarking the area again and eliminate the odor. You can also add 1/2 cup vinegar to your washing machine with regular detergent to help neutralize odors on clothing or furniture slipcovers. For hard-to-remove stains or odors, you can use straight vinegar on the area.

    Considerations

    • If your cat sprays furniture, carpeting or the walls of your home, you need to take steps to discourage this behavior. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends that you spay or neuter your cat to prevent it from urine marking. Cats spray urine to advertise for a mate or to convey feelings of anxiety over a new living situation or the introduction of a new pet. After cleaning the urine spray away thoroughly, use a calming aid such as a pheromone spray on the area to prevent your cat from marking the area again. Place aluminum foil on the area, or spray it with a cat repellent spray to discourage the cat from returning to the area and spraying.