7 Ways to Eliminate Cat Smells From Your Home

As a cat owner, you might sometimes feel like your home smells like a litter box. The distinct odour of cat urine - thanks to uric acid - seems to pervade everything from the carpet to the furniture and curtains.

You love your cat but you don’t necessarily like how they make your house smell. Unpleasant odours can compromise your quality of life and enjoyment.

So going beyond covering up the odour with air fresheners, what can you do to remove even the most persistent cat smells? Check out these seven effective ways to get rid of them and reclaim your interior spaces.

1. Address accidents quickly

Cat accidents can happen even if you have a great litter-box set-up. To minimise the risk of odours developing and persisting, address accidents quickly.

• To start, use paper towels, old towels, or rags to absorb as much urine as you can.
• Open windows to let the air circulate.
• Next, apply an enzyme cleaner and leave it to work for a few hours or for as long as the manufacturer recommends.
• Cover the spot with a basket while the enzyme cleaner is working so your cat can’t get to it.

According to experts, enzymatic cleaners or ion-based odour eliminators are the only effective solutions for getting rid of the smell. This is due to the fact the enzymes break down the odour rather than covering it up as an air-freshening product does.

Figure out the cause

You’ll also want to figure out the cause(s) behind your cat’s accidents. These could be urinary issues, your cat being stressed in some way, or due to a change in your cat’s daily routine. Visit your vet for a check-up if necessary. Moreover, regular checkups could also help with the early detection of various cat diseases and conditions.

2. Maintain cleanliness

Another key way to keep cat odours under control is to keep your home immaculately clean.

• Regular cleaning is key: In general, you’ll want to vacuum, mop up, wipe down, and undertake any other necessary cleaning work frequently.
• Target fabrics: Additionally, carpets and rugs should be vacuumed often and fabrics like curtains and throws washed periodically.
• Deodorising spray: You can apply deodorising spray or powder on your carpets and let it sit for a while before your vacuum. This can also help with tackling persistent smells that have entered your carpeting or rugs.

3. Keep your cat clean

It’s also vital to go to the source itself: your cat. Keep your cat as clean as possible with cleaning and grooming. Cats don’t need or like water bathing so dry shampoo could be a good solution.

Ask your vet about the best way to clean your cat and how often you can do it. He or she may recommend a suitable dry shampoo to keep your cat smelling fresh.

4. Clean your cat’s accessories

Clean or wash your cat’s blankets, toys, and scratch posts. These can take on unpleasant odours over time if not kept spotless. Once a week, do a good cleaning of these items along with dishes, any cages, and your cat’s litter boxes.

5. Optimise your litter box set-up

If you have enough space, provide your cat with several or more litter boxes so there’s less odour build-up in one box.

• Size: Generally speaking, choose a box that’s large enough for your cat to turn around freely. This can prevent your cat from accidentally going outside their box.
• Cover and filter: Find a box that comes with a cover and filter for odour control.
• Experiment: Experiment with different litter boxes until you find one that’s effective at odour minimisation.
• Baking soda: You can add baking soda to the litter to help with odour control.
• Cleaning: At least once a week, clean your litter boxes with a suitable odour-neutralising product.
• Scooping: If possible, scoop your cat’s litter boxes at least once a day. You can also opt for an automated one that does the scooping for you.

Location of litter box

The position is also important. Place your cat’s litter boxes in the most remote or self-contained spots in your home. This could be the basement or a spare room. It could be a dedicated closet or a bathroom that’s located far away from your home’s central living areas. Don’t put litter boxes on balconies as your cat could end up falling from the balcony.

6. Freshen up your air

Proactively air out your home and maintain air quality.

• Circulate the air: Open your windows and let the air circulate.
• Air fresheners - Air neutralisers, fresheners, and other products can help keep all kinds of odours, including cat odours, under control by masking them.
• Scented candles: You can also use things like scented candles to cover up odours. Again, these don’t necessarily remove persistent odours but can help make spaces smell more pleasant.
• Air filters: Additionally, you can use air filters or air purifiers, especially high-quality HEPA-based ones, to remove odours. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacing filters.
• Air ducts: Finally, have your air ducts professionally cleaned to remove build-up. This can improve ventilation and air quality and usher out unpleasant odours. If you have seasonal allergies, regular air-duct cleans can also help alleviate your allergy symptoms.

7. Care for your furniture

Avoid letting your cat on your furniture or choose furniture that’s somewhat resistant to pet smells. For example, leather and metal are better than fabric and wood as they’re less likely to take on odours and easier to clean. Also, using a suitable furniture cover could prevent pet odours from settling in and protect it from your cat’s sharp claws.

Conclusion

There’s no need to be resigned to unpleasant odours from your cat. If you’re having issues with cat smells around the home, make sure you’re finding and cleaning up any accidents quickly.

Ensure your cat’s litter box set-up is optimised. Keep your cat and cat accessories clean, and make sure you have a regular cleaning-up schedule for your home as well.