How to Clean Cat Urine from Wood Floors and Furniture
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If you have a cat, then you know that one of the biggest challenges is dealing with cat urine smell. Urine odor can be difficult to remove from many surfaces, but it is especially tough to get rid of on wood floors and furniture.
In this article, we will provide tips on how to get rid of cat pee smell from wood and prevent the odor from returning.
Cleaning Supplies You Will Need
- Mop and bucket
- Cleaning cloths
- Enzyme cleaner that is safe to use on wood
- Petroleum jelly
- Gloves
Cleaning Instructions
- Remove as much of the urine as you can as soon as possible. The longer the urine sits on the wood, the harder it will be to remove the odor.
- Use a paper towel or cloth to blot up as much urine as possible.
- If the wood is wet, you must blot it with a clean cloth or mop up the liquid.
- Once you have blotted any liquid, begin cleaning the area with an enzyme cleaner safe for wood floors. We recommend MisterMax Anti Icky Poo and Rocco & Roxie’s Stain & Odor Eliminator.
- Be sure to follow the directions on the container for cleaning wood.
- To help remove any stains, apply petroleum jelly on a clean cloth, rub it into the wood, and let it sit for 24 hours.
- Once the petroleum jelly is absorbed, go over the area with furniture polish.
Related Post: The 3 Best Enzyme Cleaners for Cat Urine
How To Clean Cat Urine From Impermeable Wood Floors And Surfaces
What is an impervious or impermeable surface?
An impermeable surface and impervious surface mean the same thing. These surfaces are materials that don’t allow liquids to pass through them. In contrast, a permeable or porous surface does allow liquids to pass through.
Common examples of impermeable or impervious surfaces include:
- Varnished hardwood
- Concrete
- Linoleum
- Ceramic tile
- Brick
- Stone
- Glass
- Metal
It will be more difficult to remove cat urine odor from wood that has been varnished. If your cat has urinated on an impermeable wood surface:
- Remove as much of the urine as possible by blotting with a paper towel or cloth.
- Clean the area with an enzyme cleaner that’s safe for hard surfaces. Be sure to follow the directions on the container for cleaning impermeable surfaces.
- Rinse the area with clean water and blot it dry.
It could be difficult to remove old cat urine from hardwood floors. If the urine has been there for a long time or it has seeped between the boards of varnished wood, these methods might not work.
If that’s the case, you will likely have to sand and refinish the wood.
How to Prevent Your Cat From Peeing On Wood
Once you have gotten the cat pee smell from wood you will need to take steps to prevent the cat from urinating in the same spot again.
One way to prevent your cat from peeing in the same place is to put furniture or another object where the cat has been urinating. This will help to block the cat from peeing in that spot.
You can also try using a pet deterrent spray in the area. These sprays contain unpleasant smells that will deter the cat from urinating in that area.
If these measures don’t help, you will need to troubleshoot why your cat is peeing outside of its litter box.
How To Stop A Cat From Peeing Outside Of The Litter Box
There are a few things you can do to try and stop your cat from peeing outside of its litter box.
A Dirty Litter Box
This might seem to be the most obvious, but make sure that the litter box is clean and easily accessible. If the box is dirty, your cat may not want to use it. Usually, you can clean a litter box daily, but some cats are fussier than others and prefer a box that is cleaned more often.
The Litter Box Is In An Undesirable Location
Make sure the litter box is in a quiet, private location and that it is big enough for your cat to move around in.
They Don’t Like The Cat Litter
It’s possible that your cat doesn’t like the texture or smell of your cat litter. You may also want to try a different texture of cat litter or see if they prefer unscented cat litter.
Stress And Anxiety
If your kitty is stressed, try to identify what might be causing it. Have you recently moved, added a new pet to the household, had a baby, or had another change that could cause your cat stress?
1. It could even be something as simple as rearranging furniture in the house or a change in routine. Once you know what is causing the stress, you can take steps to remove it or make it less stressful for your cat.
2. If your cat’s stress is due to another pet in the house, you can try keeping them separated by using baby gates or closed doors. You can also provide each pet with its own food and water bowls, beds, and toys.
3. You can also help reduce your cat’s stress by providing them with plenty of exercise and playtime. Cat trees and scratching posts are a great way to let your cat stretch their claws and burn off some energy.
Playing with your cat using a wand toy or laser pointer is also a great way to bond with them and help them relieve stress.
Illness
If you’ve tried all of these things and your cat is still showing signs of stress, you may want to schedule a checkup with your veterinarian to rule out illness.
Final Thoughts
Having a cat pee anywhere in your home is unpleasant, whether it’s on concrete, carpet, or your beautiful hardwood floors. But with some diligence and using the right products, you can get rid of that cat pee smell from wood for good!