Eliminating Male Cat Urine Odor: Effective Strategies

Male cats that haven't been neutered have a particularly strong urine odour due to the presence of testosterone and higher amounts of felinine in their urine. Cat urine contains uric acid, which can last in carpets, fabrics and wood for years. To get rid of the odour, it's important to act quickly, as the longer urine sits, the worse the stench becomes. Blot the area with cold water to absorb the urine, then use an enzyme cleaner to neutralise the odour. You can also use a mixture of vinegar and water, or baking soda.

Use an enzyme cleaner

Enzyme cleaners are an effective way to get rid of male cat urine odor. These products break down the acid in cat urine and get rid of the smell. They are usually the most effective in removing all traces of cat urine.

When choosing an enzyme cleaner, opt for one that is specifically formulated for cat urine. For example, Nature's Miracle Cat Stain and Odor Remover is a popular option that can be used on various surfaces, including carpets, rugs, and hardwood floors. It comes in a convenient spray bottle, which makes application easy, and it has a light citrus scent.

Another option is to use a citrus-scented cleaner, such as lemon or orange, as these scents can help deter cats from returning to the same spot. However, be sure to choose a product that does not contain essential oils, as these can be toxic to cats.

When using an enzyme cleaner, follow the instructions on the bottle. In general, you will need to blot up as much of the urine as possible with a clean cloth or paper towel. Then, apply the cleaner generously to the affected area and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Finally, blot the area again with a clean cloth and allow it to dry completely before letting your cat near it again.

For older or particularly smelly stains, you may need to repeat the process or try a different product. It's important to act quickly when dealing with cat urine, as the smell will become stronger and harder to remove over time.

Don't scrub or rub the urine stain

When it comes to removing male cat urine odor, there's one thing you should not do: scrub or rub the urine stain. While it may be tempting to try to scrub away the stain, this will only make it worse. Cat urine can soak into surfaces and fabrics, and scrubbing will only push the urine deeper, making it harder to remove. The same goes for rubbing the stain—this can cause the stain to set or soak in further.

Instead of scrubbing or rubbing, the recommended approach is to blot the affected area. Use paper towels, cloth towels, or a clean cloth to absorb as much of the urine as possible. It's important to act quickly and apply pressure to soak up the urine. Repeat this process as many times as necessary. For dried urine stains, especially on carpets, you can soak them with warm water first to help lift them out, and then blot before adding cleaning products.

Another reason to avoid scrubbing or rubbing is to prevent the urine from spreading. Cat urine has a strong, distinct odor, and scrubbing can cause it to spread to a larger area. By blotting instead, you can contain the urine to a smaller area, making it easier to treat.

Additionally, when dealing with urine stains on certain surfaces, scrubbing or rubbing can cause damage. For example, if the urine has soaked into hardwood floors, scrubbing can push the urine into the wood, causing it to penetrate deeper and potentially damaging the finish. In the case of carpets, scrubbing can push the urine into the fibers, making it more difficult to remove and increasing the chances of the odor lingering.

In summary, when faced with a male cat urine odor, resist the urge to scrub or rub the stain. Instead, focus on blotting and absorbing as much of the urine as possible, and then follow up with the appropriate cleaning products and techniques to eliminate the odor completely.

Don't use a steam cleaner

Cat urine contains high concentrations of uric acid, which can reach deep into the carpet fibers and come into contact with bacteria, producing a strong odor. The heat from the steam cleaner can cause the uric acid and other proteins in the urine to bond to the fabric of the carpet, causing the stain to set. This can make the odor more difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

Instead, it is recommended to use enzyme-based or enzymatic cleaners to break down the proteins and acids in the urine. These products, such as Nature's Miracle, are usually the most effective in removing all traces of cat urine. Another option is to use a solution of vinegar and water to neutralize the odor, followed by an enzymatic cleaner to break down the proteins.

It is important to act quickly when dealing with cat urine, as the longer the urine sits, the worse the stench becomes. Blot up as much of the urine as possible with a clean cloth, then follow the steps outlined above for the appropriate cleaning solution.

Don't use ammonia-based products

Ammonia is a key component of cat urine, and using ammonia-based products to clean up after a male cat's accident will only make the problem worse. Cats are attracted to the smell of ammonia, so if you use an ammonia-based product to clean up cat urine, you are likely to find that your cat will simply urinate in the same place again.

Ammonia is a colourless gas with a sharp odour. It is a corrosive nitrogen and hydrogen compound. If enough ammonia comes into contact with your eyes, throat, or lungs, it can cause serious issues. While the amount of ammonia in cat urine is not usually enough to bother a healthy person, it can be dangerous for those with asthma or respiratory conditions.

If you are cleaning up after a male cat, it is important to use an enzyme-based cleaner, which breaks down the acid in the urine and gets rid of the smell. Vinegar is also a good option, as it neutralises the alkaline salts that form in dried cat pee stains.

If you are cleaning a mattress, blot the urine with paper towels or a towel, then spray the area with a mixture of half water and half vinegar, and blot again. Cover the area with baking soda and leave for at least eight hours. Vacuum the baking soda away, and repeat the process until the odour and stains are gone.

If you are cleaning a carpet, use a towel or paper towels to blot up as much urine as possible. Cover the area with paper towels or a towel and stand on them; you may have to do this several times. Saturate the area with carpet cleaner or a few drops of dish detergent mixed with water and let it sit for an hour or two. Rinse the area by gently blotting, then use a wet sponge with water to rinse again. Soak the area with club soda for 10 minutes, then blot it up and cover the area with paper towels and something heavy, such as a pile of books, and leave overnight. In the morning, spray the area with an enzyme cleaner.

If you are cleaning linoleum or hardwood, use paper towels or a mop soaked in soapy water to wipe up the urine. Rinse the area with warm water, then wipe with a sponge moistened with vinegar and let the floor air-dry. For hardwood floors, blot the urine, then use an enzyme cleaner. If the smell remains, you may need to sand, bleach, and refinish the floor.

If you are cleaning clothing, machine wash using a cup of white vinegar and no detergent. Once the cycle is done, repeat the wash using regular detergent. If you can still smell the urine, add an enzyme cleaner and wash again. Allow the clothing to air-dry, as the heat of a dryer may lock in the smell.

Always be sure to keep your cat away from the area until it is completely dry.

Act quickly

The longer cat urine sits, the harder it is to remove the smell, so it's important to act quickly. The first step is to locate the source of the smell. Removing other objects from the area can help with this. Once you've found the offending area, use an absorbent cloth to blot the urine with cold water and remove the excess moisture. Don't scrub the area, as this will only push the urine further into the surface.

Next, you'll want to neutralise the odour. Specialised cat urine cleaners contain enzymes that break down the chemicals in cat urine that produce the odour. If you don't have a specialised cleaner, vinegar can be used to clean the spot, followed by diluted dish soap detergent to help remove the smell. You can also combine equal parts white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) and water to gently clean the urine stain. Leave the solution to soak for several minutes before wiping it away.

If your cat has urinated on soft furnishings, experts recommend using bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle it liberally on the stain, then vacuum it up before wiping the surface with a specialist cleaner. This technique can also be used to remove the smell of cat urine from your clothes.

Repeat the cleaning process as many times as needed to get rid of the lingering smell of cat urine. Remember to use cold water each time.

Frequently asked questions