BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?

Subject: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Amergin
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 04:35 PM

Ok....yesterday my partner got home from work and found that a strange cat came into her apartment and sprayed all over the place...and I understand the stench is overpowering.....she wants to know how to get rid of the smelll....when she does not know where exactly the cat sparyed...told her I would ask around...

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 04:43 PM

Well, a black light will show where the stuff is. As for getting rid of it, Good Luck. There are enzyme based products on the market that are pretty good. One is called Nature's Miracle. That is a brand name, not the product. Try a local pet store.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 04:44 PM

Nature's Miracle order site.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 05:01 PM

Usually a pet store will have a blacklight you can rent for the day and the pee will show up, as Sorcha said. Also, Nature's Miracle is great, but if it went in carpeting, she will need to soak it a BUNCH, all the way through the pads.

Vanilla candles help to clear the air, as well as any aerosol product she might find at a pet store or vet's.

She can read more about it at this site:Drs. Foster & Smith Pet Education.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: JenEllen
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 05:10 PM

Yup, I highly recommend Nature's Miracle. It's expensive, but it actually breaks down the urine instead of just covering it up. The pet store near you may be able to suggest a generic brand that's cheaper and does the same thing. There are also 'odor eater' candles available, I think they are aimed at taking smoke smells out of the air, but they also work for cat smells. Best of luck
~J

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 05:16 PM

Nature's Miracle. I believe I have put the owner's son through college with my purchases.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Louie Roy
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 05:20 PM

You can't beat just plain Lysol and I don't mean the spray.It is the only thing on the market that will eliminate skunk odor.Louie Roy

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 05:22 PM

Wow! Nature's Miracle sounds like the thing I wish I'd had when the tenants moved out of my current non-co-op building. I steamed the carpets - smelled worse. I removed the carpets - better, but it still smelled. I removed the floor - better but it still smelled in some places. I removed the subfloor - success! Fortunately the floor joists were not contaminated or this landlord's tale would be continuing into the basement catacombs (no pun intended). The tenants were still surprised when they did not receive their full security deposit.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 05:29 PM

I know what you mean, Charley. We just gave up and replaced carpet. While the (hardwood)floor was bare, I mopped with a strong Clorox solution twice, then mopped with Nature's Miracle just before the carpet layers came. Helped a bunch! The stuff had soaked into the hardwood floor under the carpet pad..............

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 05:46 PM

Pisses me off! No pun intended. I have had a hard time getting someone to rent to me because I own cats. My apartment never smells "catty". Instant response to the occasional accident takes care of it. Why would anyone choose to live in stench and screw it up for the rest of us?

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 05:51 PM

Let me add one other thing that has worked quite well for us. First, we too will heartily endorse "Nature's Miracle" and we too have probably put some owner's kid through college with the stuff. But we have also found that after it dries and the smell is basically gone, we can help the odor to stay gone to the cat too AND freshen things even more, by an application of Oxyclean. Yeah....the dumb stuff they sell on TV. Hey foks.....it works! Anyway, it does for us!!! I run the carpet cleaner (is there a cat owner who doesn't have one?) after the Nature's Miracle has done it's thing with a solution of carpet solvent and a scoop of Oxyclean and you can't believe how much better the smell is eliminated! Also, I've noticed that the cats rarely come back to the spot after the oxyclean treatment. Of course they just find another spot, but the stuff really does work well. Now if our carpet was worth a shit, we'd be set!!!

I do really like the product and using it in the wash is great. Again, it not only helps in the brightness and all, but a scoop of Oxyclean will also remove the pet odor entirely. I hate to admit it, but the damn stuff works!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 06:08 PM

Febreze is pretty good too.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 06:14 PM

Hey Spaw...exactly which fan do you use to dry the wet spot? Gordon Bok's with the fresh ocean scent?

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 06:22 PM

Yeah Sins, because in combination with the Cookie Duster HEPA filter it really does a job!

The Febreze and similar products are best used after a thorough cleaning. At first I tried them alone and I tell ya' what....THAT combination has some interesting smells of it's own. I like the Chlorox produt better than Febreze.

The biggest difference of all for us is having three pain in the ass cats instead of seven pain in the ass cats. Specifically, when one monstrous male left (never found him....didn't look real hard either) the others reduced their whizzing considerably!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 06:34 PM

An old male we took in died about ten years age, and we are still finding spots where he sprayed. Lysol worked for us back then, but we also used Chlorox, so not sure now which was the best. Probably better things out now.
Someone mentioned Oxyclean- has anyone tried peroxide? That contributes oxygen also and is a hell of a lot cheaper.
Louie, I agree about Lysol and skunk odor. We used it in combination with Ivory soap (Can't use very strong stuff on the poor dog's skin). We had a little farm for a while; a skunk there deliberately ambushed an Irish setter we had then- several times. I guess it was a territorial thing.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: JenEllen
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 06:44 PM

For skunk smells in dog hair, Virbac makes a shampoo with chlorhexadine in it. You can get it at your vet. It's the same stuff they use to prep for surgery, but in a diluted form. Takes the smell right out of fur, and is a LOT safer than Lysol/dishwashing soaps. (a pretty good indicator is if the label tells you to wear gloves or keep out of reach of children, then it's probably not aces for your pet either)

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Peg
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 06:52 PM

I hate the smell of Febrez--prefer cat piss! tee hee. Seriously, I have six cats, and one of them due to being hit by a car does not have straught "aim" any more so he has accidents occasionally when he misses the litter box. I use a product which is made specifically for cat odors. It works but until it dries it stink sof vanilla-infused chemicals..so I spray it and wipe it up before I am leaving the house...

I find cleaning frequently your wood or tile floors with apple cider vinegar diluted in water works nicely; keeps it fresh (the vinegar smell disappears after an hour or so). Baking soda applied to the spot where urine has seeped in seems to neutralize it beautifully if you catch it quickly enough.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Amergin
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 09:29 PM

thanks, everyone! I pointed her to this thread...I appreciate it.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Gypsy
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 11:05 PM

No one mentioned cutting off noses,huh? ;>) Baking soda is also a good deoderizer, used as a scrub.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: X
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 11:41 PM

How do you get rid of cat smells? get rid of the damn cat and get a dog.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 12:02 AM

Slit the cat's neck. Toss it in the dumpster. The smell will be gone with next trash-collection.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 12:06 AM

Aw geez Garg, what a great idea! Now if we could just get rid of you so easily.............

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 09:37 AM

I've just had a conference with our resident and non-resident cats and they had some additional suggestions other than applying Miracle Whip or whatever it is called - too lazy to scroll up. They suggest that there should be a litter box for EACH cat in a different part of the dwelling unit, and that said boxes be cleaned out every day! Radical idea, indeed. They also recommended separate scratching posts, suspended baskets, that videotape with the birdies and squirrels, and a cat door with voice recognition features; they're only interesting in non-resident cats whom they invite in...

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 10:11 AM

Cleaned out every day???? Mine insist on a twice daily cleaning minimally. And clumping litter - a little more expensive but it locks in odors and is easier to clean.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 11:12 AM

What's wrong with the smell of cat ? Provided that you start of with some lightly fried onions, add a few herbs and seasonings, chuck a few sliced carrots (plus turnip or swede if you like them) - it's a lovely smell - you'll hardly be able to wait to get tucked in.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: MAG
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 11:19 AM

Odormute is another product with enzymes which breaks down the protein molecules -- about $5 a small box; goes a long way.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Pterry
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 11:43 AM

How do you get rid of cat smells? You can't to be honest. Eventually they will just fade by them selves though.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 02:02 PM

Club soda also works, up to a point, at neutralizing urine smells and stains. Hit the spot right away. It's a lifesaver if you don't have any of the other products on hand. Same idea as baking soda. I've also used vinegar, but then you're left with a vinegar smell.

Think I need to keep some Nature's Miracle or Oxyclean on hand, though. I'm not particularly enthused about Febreze cuz I don't really like ITS scent.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Desdemona
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 02:07 PM

Okay, okay, I realise I'm shockingly ignorant---but I've been allergic to cats all my life, so this is all pretty arcane information to me; what IS the spray? Is it pee (I get the impression it's something else)? Is it a way of marking their territory the way dogs do? Do both male & female cats do it?

Inquiring minds want to know!!!

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 02:39 PM

Yes to all your questions, Des. Mostly it is male cats, but I have a spayed female that does it too.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: JEM-Wales
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 02:46 PM

If they pee in a particular place wash the area down with alchol - neat - Potcheen is good. the cats will not go near the area for a long time

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 05:10 PM

I say, I say, I say. My cat's got no nose!!
How does he smell then?
"BLOODY AWFUL"
The old ones are the best.....Giok

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Desdemona
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 05:41 PM

Thanks, Sorcha; I'd always wondered! Now, another question: do they only do it when angry/frightened/provoked, etc., or do you have to be prepared for arbitrary spraying w/out warning or provocation?

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 05:52 PM

As with all things Cat, it's totally arbitrary. Everything is up to the cat.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Gypsy
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 07:40 PM

When we were still well catted, we used earth for the litter box. The cats prefered it, was cheap, and there was absolutely no odure.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: jup
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 08:12 PM

My desexed male still does it to mark his territory even after a good boot in the arse. I think he is getting even with us for getting him knackerd.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Banjer
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 08:41 PM

If all else fails go out and find a water buffalo to adopt. I would think that after a few days of that in the house the cat odor would at least be tolerable if not a welcome change.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 09:01 PM

LOL Banj......Good idea!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Nemesis
Date: 27 Jan 02 - 12:15 PM

I've had this problem for months too... we had an aggressive un-neutered tom barging through the magnetic cat flap and spraying every where (I have three spayed girls) - even upstairs over tbe bed clothes, school bags, shoes, even the bread crock on the floor, laundry heaped on the floor, then someone would walk through it unwittingly and then it would end up tracked through to the bedroom carpets .....uugh! What has helped is getting hold of him and his owners and taking him to the Vets and paying to have him neutered.....Hooray... two whole days without pissy smells... until .. yet another tom opportunistically barged in and marked HIS territory as well..

I was using a plant sprayer with slightly diluted vinegar and ultra-concentrated disinfectant to spray everywhere and wet it thoroughly and then going around with 'Neutradol' which is an odour neutralising room spray. Do you get that in the States? The combination of these two processes seemed to work fairly well.

Please God, fingers crossed, what's keeping them out now is leaving the door curtain pulled, so once they get through the cat flap they would have to fight their way past the heavy curtain. The 'girls' seem to cope with that alright - and despite (today) 4 toms sitting outside they haven't found their way back in yet..

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: wildlone
Date: 27 Jan 02 - 01:31 PM

We had a dog who would roll in any foul smelling substance she could find, we used tomato sauce to get the smell out of her hair after she rolled in ripe badger crap.
dave

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Desdemona
Date: 27 Jan 02 - 01:52 PM

It could end up being like the Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly---"she brought home the water buffalo to drown out the cat, she brought home the pig to drown out the water buffalo, etc.!"

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Jan 02 - 06:07 PM

A citrus fragrance where the cat habitually sprays will deter. Cats (allegedly) hate citrus smells and will avoid rather than trying to over spray.

I had a neutered tom who only ever sprayed outdoors, but he would invite his freinds in to spray in the house. Still finding areas after 2 years!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Chip2447
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 01:54 AM

Slay the foul beasts and make Banjo heads, muffs, and catskin hats for all the neighborood kids outta whats left of em...

Gonna get hammered for this one.

Chip2447 (get a dog instead)

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 09:19 AM

My tale is cautionary, and I do not endorse the actions taken. Do not flame the messenger!

Back in the 50s, my father was farming, and came into the empty farmhouse to find a feral tom had sprayed the entire place. As he walked upstairs, the cat hissed at him, with hackles raised. He was pretty upset and took the natural law into his own hands, and burst the cat with his 12-bore. He qualified his immediate regret by admitting that the stench (not to mention the mess) of the atomised feline was ten times worse than the spray odour.

Skipjack (cat owner) (oxymoron?)

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 02:51 PM

This is quite interesting - our cats are barn cats so never get in the house. But the family that was here before had lots of animals and the smell in parts of the hosue is still there. And since Jan and I quit smoking it is more noticeable. Thanks -

Steve

And a large welcome to Pterry!!

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: Sonnet
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 07:25 AM

Lemon juice and hot water takes away the smell of cat pee from carpets, furniture etc.Zoflora ia a pleasant smelling disinfectant for use on tiles, lino, laminate floors etc. Janet

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 08:35 AM

Log off the website.

Subject: RE: BS: help how do you get rid of cat smells?
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jul 02 - 03:02 PM

found it! refresh!