How do you get rid of cat odor?

Question

We 2 cats in our apartment. one 9 year old female and a 3 month old (NOT FIXED) male. the litter box is kept in the bathroom (smells terrible) but the entire apartment smells like the litter box. we have hardwood floors entirely, so i dont think any of the cats peed anywhere. the smell is disgusting and embarrassing, how do i get rid of it? (i wish i could just tell my roommate i dont want cats in there, but its too late now lol). we cant keep the bathroom door closed cuz obviously thats where their litter box is and im always spraying the place with that febreeze odor neutralizer stuff but it dont work.

let me add that the box is one of those covered boxes. also i dont know why the smell is going thru the whole house (kitchen and living room). we just moved in so theres no furniture in the living room. so i dont know where to put any of that cat smell remover at to get rid of it. its generally in the air. maybe i should just open the window since it hasnt been open in a few days?

Answer 1

Hi there...consider using Nature's Miracle Nature Miracle Just For Cats Stain & Odor Remover found worldwide at any pet store. It's enzymatic neutralizer and works by soaking the affected areas thoroughly and then allowed to air dry (besides litterboxes). Repeated applications are necessary if the areas are heavily soiled around the apartment.

We have tested all the other brands in the market for our exotic cats since their urine is very concentrated compared to the domestic house cats and Nature's Miracle worked the best at eliminating the odours from both feces and urine.


NM Just for Cats...: http://www.petco.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=589870&cm_ven=tag&cm_cat=59&cm_pla=589870&cm_ite=589870#details

Generally, litterbox odours can be managed if it's scooped daily. Many people realize that this works the best to keep odours to a manageable minimum as well. Consider asking your roommate if they can do this or if you don't mind by doing this yourself.

[edit] even odours can emanate from covered litterboxes. Scooping daily does lower the odours. Additionally, adding a little bit of baking soda can help a little bit more as well. Since the bathroom tends to be moist from baths/showers if there is a window cracking it a little wil also ventilate the room.

Answer 2

First off, make sure you're using a multicat litter. I like Tidy Cats Crystals and Tidy Cats Small Spaces. Both are excellent at keeping the smell down.

A covered box helps, as well, provided both cats will take to using it. Try getting another box, as well, since each cat should have its own box.

Whatever you're using, make sure you scoop daily and change the litter completely every week or two. I empty the box, spray it down with Simple Green (found in the automotive cleaners department, it's a safe, non-toxic, and very effective cleaner), rinse with hot water, dry EXTREMELY well, then put in new litter.

Make sure you get the male fixed within the next couple of months. That should cut down on the smell of his urine considerably.

Buy some Cat Carb for the litter. It's just carbon crystals that you can mix in and they help absorb odors. Baking Soda can also be used in this way.

Answer 3

Could you get rid of the padding? Probably a lot less expensive than new carpeting. That's a big problem with liquids on carpets--you think you get the stain/odor out, but it's still in the pad, and it comes back. There are some enzymatic stain and odor removers out there--you could call a local vet clinic for some specific recommendations. Urine Gone, Pet Odor Eliminator, Nature's Miracle, and OdoBan are just a few. If you do get the stain/odor out, you might want to ScotchGuard the carpet to help if it happens again. And if the cat is an unneutered male, having him neutered will reduce the odor of his urine and probably cut down on inappropriate elimination. Good luck--I know how tough that odor can be to remove!

Answer 4

Use a silica cat litter, smells are absorbed instantly and trapped in the litter. Get rid of the house smells with Anti-Icky-Poo available from www.petstink.com. It's not the cheapest on the market but really works and comes with a manufacturers money back guarantee.
In between changing the litter, spray the box with AIP and leave for a while, rinse, dry and top up the box with new silica and you'll have a smell free litter box and subsequently a sweeter smelling house.

Answer 5

get a cover for your litter box

use the high-tech cat litter that absorbs odor and moisture (the kind made up of blue crystals)

buy some litter box deodorizer to sprinkle on top of the litter every other day (I use Tidy Cat brand in the yellow tube container)

change the litter at least once a week

that's what I do, works for two cats

Answer 6

I have two cats one is 3 yrs old and the other is almost a year , the older cat has really strong urine! I find scooping as soon as there done in the litter box or twice a day and I have a disposal container called Litter Locker which helps seal it in! also use baking powder!

Answer 7

Covered litter boxes work really good. They have a filter on the top of the lid that helps keep the smell down. Also at wal-mart Special Kitty and Tidy Cats both make sent crystals that absorb more sent then regular litter alone you mix them with the litter. Here is a list of products I use at home ( I have 4 cats and 3 litter boxes)

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3946920
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3946923
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441780638&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033738&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1106929015955

Try mopping the floor with a deoderizor if there is a stain somewhere then you will have gotten it. something like this
http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_9045_PC_productlist_Nav_209_N_23+128_cp_4_Nao_36_sku_30309_familyID_6482.aspx

Answer 8

Get the male fixed for one thing. Most places will not allow cats at all because of the odor problem. I keep saying it on here that cats are smelly animals. I have many, not by choice, someone dropped off one and I felt sorry for it so I fed it. Now I have 8 at last count. It costs be a bundle to feed them and even when fed they come to the door to howl for milk. This is not helping you with your problem, but I know getting them fixed is the fist thing, the male. Let them outside as often as you can and keep the hardwood floors sctrubbed good.

Answer 9

I use that cat litter that is crystals (white and blue) and it works really well. Also, you need to scoop the litter every day.

Answer 10

Fresh step with odor removing carbon. i have 2 cats,also, siamese, so i sympathize with you. this product is great! i tried the deodoizers that the pet stores sell, tried the blue crystal stuff, even tried oatmeal(at my moms suggestion...) fresh step is the one i settled on as the best, at least, so far. good luck! (you'd never know i had cats now)