how to get cat pee out of carpet

Cats are aloof yet friendly creatures who can make for great companions. They aren’t too high maintenance, but cleaning after them can get tricky if they aren’t trained properly. Untrained cats may resort to behaviors like spraying, which is their means of marking territory.

This also includes peeing a little on household items like carpets. However, their mess is easy enough to clean up. Here’s what you need to know about how to get cat pee out of carpet.

Why Cat Pee Stinks

Why Cat Pee Stinks

You’ll notice a pungent odor emanating from items that your cat has peed on. What is it that makes cat urine stink so badly?

Cats generally have very concentrated urine. They were habitants of the desert in the earlier eras, thus they had to absorb as much water content as they could from their urine.

Dr. Justine Lee in her book “It’s A Cat’s World… You Just Live in It” noted that the cat’s loop of Henle (the part of their kidney responsible for the filtration and concentration of urine) is really efficient at extracting as much water as possible from cat urine, thus leaving their urine extremely concentrated and foul-smelling.

Cat urine often goes unnoticed for long periods. Bacteria begin to decompose the urea in the urine, resulting in an ammoniacal odor. Further decomposition emanates mercaptans — this is the compound that is found in the nasty spray of skunks.

Why Do Cats Pee on the Carpet?

Why Do Cats Pee on the Carpet

Cats are excellent groomers. They will persistently brush their coats with their tongues and keep themselves clean; this habit also involves proper toilet behavior.

There are several reasons as to why a cat might pee outside its litter box, such as on the carpet.

The simplest reason could be their litter box itself. If the litter box is placed too far away or in someplace they don’t like, your cat wouldn’t want to access it. Your cat will also prefer the carpet if you haven’t cleaned out their litter box, causing it to be stinky.

Have you noticed any change in their usual behavior? If cats are stressed or anxious, they soothe themselves by marking their territory and spraying on the carpet. This may also happen if you have multiple cats in the house.

A concerning reason would be health issues such as old age, kidney problems, or urinary tract infections. Cats aren’t exactly master communicators when they’re uncomfortable, so you may want to check with a vet if this behavior persists.

How To Get Cat Pee Out Of Carpet

Cleaning your carpet after your cat pees on it can be a strenuous task. But don’t worry, you can clean your carpet in a few simple steps.

#1. Use Paper Towels or An Old Rag to Blot the Spot with Cold Water

Paper Towels

The first thing to do is absorb as much cat urine as possible from the carpet onto some disposable material. You can use paper towels or old rags. This will take away 70% of your struggle; bonus points if you’re cleaning up right after your cat has sprayed the carpet.

Remember to dab the surface of the carpet and not scrub your carpet by any means. The latter will result in the carpet further absorbing the urine, and that is counterproductive.

A general rule while cleaning fabrics is to never use hot water on a stain as that causes the stain to set on the fabric. Stick to cold water at all times.

#2. Douse The Spot with Enzymatic Cleaner

Enzymatic Cleaner

To remove the stain and odor of cat urine from a carpet, use enzyme cleaners. The enzymes present in these cleaning agents effectively break down the stain, making it easier to get the stain out.

They also eliminate the bacteria that activate the mercaptan compound in the urine.

In fact, they’re so good that even your cat won’t be able to smell the odor of the urine. This is a bonus, as cats have a habit of peeing on spots that they’ve already peed on before.

Simply douse the spot on the carpet with an enzyme cleaner, and let it do its magic for about 3-5 minutes. Make sure you read the instructions on the label of the carpet before using strong cleaning agents like these, as carpets that should only be dry-cleaned may get damaged.

#3. More Blotting

More Blotting

Once you’re confident that the enzyme cleaner has stayed on for long enough, continue to blot the surface of the carpet with a clean cloth dipped in cold water for a little longer.

This is basically a little extra help to further break down the urine stain. In case the stain is too stubborn, you may want to repeat steps two and three once more for the process to be more effective.

#4. Sprinkle Baking Soda on The Stain

Baking Soda

For the final step of the cleaning process, you’re going to need some baking soda. This is an excellent stain-remover that laundromats and dry-cleaning services swear by. They’re a household item as well!

You could either directly sprinkle some baking soda on the stain or create a paste by combining two parts baking soda with one part water. Rub this paste onto the surface of the carpet.

The baking soda will aid in removing the pungent odor of the urine as well. Or, you could also mix some baking soda with detergent and throw your carpet into the washer for a good spin.

#5. Freshen Up the Room

Freshen Up

There is only so much scope for battling with urine stains on your carpet. To complete the process, add a good measure of scented fabric conditioner.

This would leave your carpet smelling pleasant and free of disturbing odors. You can experiment with scents like lavender and citrus; it also helps that these smells are deterrents that keep your feline from spraying.

Your house will no longer smell of cat urine and instead smell inviting and peaceful!

A Few Parting Words

Removing urine stains from your carpet does not have to be a hassle. Make sure to follow these steps on how to get cat pee out of carpet, and voila! Your carpet will smell fresh and good as new!

On the off chance that you are completely unable to tackle this problem, don’t be too worried. DIYs may be fun and rewarding, but professionals can get the job done more easily!

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