7 Top Tips to Remove Cat Urine Smell Effectively

Cat urine is famously pungent and unpleasant, often challenging to remove completely. If your cat has urinated or sprayed indoors, the odour can linger and even encourage repeat marking due to the cat smelling its own scent. Here, we share seven expert tips on how to effectively and permanently remove cat urine and its smell from your home, while helping to prevent your cat from urinating within again.

1. Avoid Using Air Fresheners to Mask the Smell

Cats are sensitive to strong smells and may find air fresheners or scented products threatening to their territory. This can cause stress or insecurity, leading them to mark the area further. Instead of covering the odour, consider airing out the space and using products that break down the scent naturally.

2. Blot the Urine—Never Rub It In

When cleaning up fresh urine, use absorbent paper towels or cloths to blot up as much liquid as possible. Press gently rather than rubbing to avoid pushing the urine deeper into fabrics or carpets, which makes the odour harder to remove.

3. Never Use Bleach or Ammonia-Based Cleaners

Bleach reacts chemically with components in cat urine to produce ammonia, which smells like cat urine itself. This can confuse your cat and encourage further marking. Avoid any cleaners containing ammonia or strong scents that only mask the problem rather than solving it.

4. Use an Enzymatic Cleaner for Deep Odour Neutralisation

Enzymatic cleaners contain biological agents that break down the organic compounds in cat urine, effectively neutralising odours rather than merely masking them. Apply the cleaner thoroughly to soak the entire affected area and rinse multiple times as required. This is especially important for carpets and soft furnishings.

5. Clean Underlay Beneath Carpets as Well

If your cat has urinated on a carpet, the smell often seeps into the underlay beneath. Lifting the carpet to treat the underlay with enzymatic cleaners can help eliminate persistent odours that regular carpet cleaning won't reach.

6. Use UV Light to Detect Hidden Urine Spots

Cat urine can be hard to spot visually, especially when dried. A UV light can help identify hidden patches by making the urine fluoresce, allowing you to clean all affected spots thoroughly.

7. Address Why Your Cat Is Urinating Indoors

Effective cleaning alone won’t solve the problem if the underlying reason isn’t addressed. Have your cat checked by a vet to rule out medical issues. Consider environmental factors such as stress, new pets nearby, or litter box cleanliness. For unneutered male cats, neutering can often reduce marking and spraying behaviours significantly.

By combining these cleaning methods with addressing your cat’s needs, you can effectively remove cat urine odour from your home and reduce the likelihood of future indoor accidents, creating a happier environment for both you and your feline friend.