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Oh sure, we all know just how cute our great little furry companions can be. But what about those terrible messes they are
sometimes capable of making? If not properly cared for, these messes leave not only nasty stains but also lingering odors.
However, these messes don’t have to last a lifetime in your carpet or on your furniture, if you use the following simple
tricks.
Cleaning Cat Urine
Cat urine is particularly stinky and it gets worse the longer it sits. This is because bacteria begin feeding on the
organic waste in the urine, which converts it to gases. In addition, the longer the urine sits, the more it seeps into the
carpet and the underlying pattern or wood floor beneath. This, of course, makes it more difficult to remove.
Fresh urine should be cleaned by first blotting it. To blot urine, an old bath towel should be used to soak up as much
liquid as possible. This should be followed up by using paper towels until no more moisture can be seen. The area
should then be diluted by spraying heavily with clear water or with a solution of mild white vinegar and water. Afterward,
the area should be blotted again. This process should be repeated until the area is sufficiently cleaned.
In some cases, the area will also need to be neutralized. This is particularly true if the odor remains after the
carpeting has dried. To accomplish this, chemical odor removers need to be used. Some odor removers are also based on
enzymes or both bacteria and enzymes. All of these neutralizers, however, are designed to neutralize odor by eating the
bacteria causing the odor.
For old urine stains, a neutralizer is likely to be a necessity because the bacterial process will have already started.
Carpets and padding may need to be removed and cleaned, or even replaced, if the urine has been allowed to sink through. If
the scent of cat urine lingers, but the source cannot be found, a black light can be of assistance. A black light will
illuminate cat urine and make it easier to locate for cleaning.
As a final note, if a cat is urinating outside of its litter box it is a good idea to have the vet take a look at the
cat. This behavior is not normal for a cat and it could mean the cat is suffering from a urinary tract infection or other
illness.
Taking Care Of Cat Feces
Sounds problematic, but it’s actually not too difficult. To get rid of firm cat feces, simply pick it up with a paper towel
and throw it away. Then, clean up the residual mess with a small, stiff-bristled brush. After cleaning the entire area with a
mixture of water and mild detergent, blot, dilute, and blot the area again.
It’s not quite as simple, however, if the cat has diarrhea. This requires a bit more attention as there may be bacteria
present in the feces. The first thing to do when cleaning diarrhea is to clean it up as much as possible with paper towels,
followed by the use of a water and detergent mixture. Next, rinse and blot the mess, following it up with a neutralizing product,
such as an enzymatic cleaner.
Cleaning Cat Vomit
Cats are notorious for vomiting. For the most part, vomit stains should be treated the same as diarrhea. A cat
that eats food with red dyes, however, may produce vomit that is nearly impossible to remove. If this happens, a
professional may need to be called in order to remove the stain.
Preventing Cat “Spray”
Not only is your darling little kitty’s “spray” a nuisance, its scent is enough to take your breath away. The best method, of
course, is to catch it quickly. So, why not try preventing the spray in the first place? One way to do this is by having your cat
neutered or spayed. This, however, doesn’t stop the spraying for all cats.
If you are a cat owner who prefers not to have your pet neutered or spayed, you might want to consider using a pheromone based
training product. This product mimics the pheromones found naturally in cats. The cat will love its natural impulse to mark its
territory where these “pheromones” are sprayed into their environment.
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