Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Cleaning wooden floors
• Part 2 of 2: Prevent your cat from urinating unwanted
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

If you have a cat, chances are you will find a puddle of cat urine on your floor every now and then. Cat urine can stain wood floors and leave a pungent odor. Depending on the age of your cat and the type of floor, there are a number of different preventative and cleaning solutions.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Cleaning wooden floors

1. Mop up the puddle. If the urine is fresh, use an absorbent cloth and wipe away any moisture. Use the right pressure to mop up the moisture. If necessary, use a variety of cloths so that you can get as much of the liquid off the floor as possible.
   • You can also use absorbent paper towels, but use enough to dry the area as thoroughly as possible.
   • Keep cloths handy until your cat no longer urinates outside of the litter box.
2. Choose a chemical cleaner that works for you. There are several chemical cleaners available and it is a good idea to take a moment to consider which chemicals will work best depending on the type of wood and the severity of the damage. Test the product on a very small and inconspicuous area of ​​your wooden floor before attacking all the stains. It is better to make sure that the product is safe for the protective layer of your floor.
3. Use a cleaner specifically designed for pet urine. Some products, such as Nature's Miracle and Urine Gone, are recommended by some sites because they remove the stench and prevent pets from urinating in the same area, but leave a musty odor unless you clean it immediately afterward.
4. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide with water. Thoroughly wet a cloth or paper towel with the hydrogen peroxide mixture. Cover the affected area with the damp cloth or paper towel. Leave the peroxide on the stain for a few hours or overnight, depending on the severity of the stain.
   • Check that the cloths or kitchen paper do not dry out. Check the area as often as needed and apply more peroxide regularly if you feel it is necessary. You can also cover the stain with plastic, securing it by taping the edges.
   • After a few hours, remove excess liquid with an absorbent material such as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) or cat litter. Remove the paper towels first, then cover the area. Look for products that remove moisture as well as odors, such as baking soda or cat litter.
   • Once all the moisture and odor has been absorbed, you can scrape off the material or baking soda and let the floor dry.
5. Use a stronger mixture of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a little washing-up liquid and a pinch of baking soda.
   • For smaller stains, make sure to pour the peroxide onto the stain only, check it every 10 minutes, and wipe up the excess once the stain is gone.
6. Use a two part peroxide wood bleach, which is usual A / B is called pale. This bleach is made from hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide. This kind of bleach will remove all color variations from the wood, which is the disadvantage of the two part peroxide bleach.
   • Two-part bleach has very specific instructions. The two components must be mixed, so always read the manufacturer's warnings and instructions as these chemicals are very strong. It is best to wear rubber gloves and goggles while doing this and keep your home well ventilated.
7. Prepare a warm water solution with 25-30% white vinegar as an alternative to store-bought cleaning products. Vinegar neutralizes ammonia, which causes the stink of your cat's urine. It is also better for the environment compared to stronger chemical components.
8. Seal the wood again. Old urine may have been absorbed by the wood. Then the damage and odor can be removed by sanding and refinishing the wood. Sand the floor and touch up the floor with a brush.
   • Seek advice from a professional about the type of sandpaper to use, depending on the type of wood and the degree of urine penetration.
   • Use a wood floor dye that matches the shade of your wood floor.
   • Contact the company that sold you the floor as they often offer finishing "touch-up pens" that allow you to restore the amount of detail you want.
   • Consider applying a new protective layer to your floor once you have cleaned and sealed it to prevent further accidents from getting caught in the subfloor.
9. Repeat the process. It may take several tries to completely remove the stain. If you smell urine but can't find the source, try a black light. Sometimes the urine has penetrated so deeply into the subfloor that it cannot be removed without replacing your floor. If you decide to replace your floor, apply a good sealant.
   • Apply an odor remover that you can find at pet stores. Look for a strain with enzymes in it to fight off any bacteria.
   • Make sure all odor is gone so it doesn't draw your cat back to that same spot.

Part 2 of 2: Prevent your cat from urinating unwanted

1. Know why cats pee. Cats urinate for two reasons: to mark their territory with a puddle or to dispose of waste with a large puddle. When cats dispose of waste, they look for flat, horizontal surfaces, which is why floors are a perfect target.
   • Provide separate living areas if you have multiple cats in your household.
2. Make sure your cat feels secure in its territory. Cats are more likely to urinate if they mark their territory when they feel the need to become possessive. When cats mark their territory, they lift their tail and usually spray against vertical areas such as walls.
   • Cats will mark their territory to provide other cats with information, such as when to mate. Spaying or neutering your cat can help solve this problem.
   • Close windows, screens, and doors so that your indoor cat doesn't see other cats and can feel threatened or they may begin to mark their territory.
   • Be on the lookout, especially if your cat is in a new environment. Deal with urination before it can become a habit.
   • Connect a motion detector to your lawn sprinkler and place it close to your windows or doors to prevent other cats in your area from getting too close to your home.
3. Choose the right litter box. Cats are naturally very clean and fussy so offering a clean and comfortable litter box is key to keeping them from peeing on your floor. A litter box should be about 1.5 times the length of your cat. They should have enough room to turn around when they have done their business.
   • Do not use a covered litter box. A covered litter box will make your cat feel trapped and will keep the stench in the box by not allowing air in to allow the contaminated litter to dry. In a multi-cat house, it also limits a cat's ability to escape if cornered. This is integral because a cat can avoid a covered litter box if it feels it could be ambushed while in it.
   • Make sure the sides of the litter box are not too high for your cat to easily step over. This is especially important if your cat has put on weight over time.
4. Remember, the rule of thumb is one litter box per cat, plus one. So remember the calculation, a cat = 2 boxes, 3 cats = 4 boxes, and so on.
   • If you live in a multi-story house, you should have a litter box on each floor. Think about it if you're on the fifth floor and you need to pee. Would you like to go all the way to the 1st floor to pee?
5. Choose the right place for your litter box. Make sure your litter box is in an easily accessible place for your cat's needs. Just because it fits your plans doesn't mean your cat will adapt to you. If your cat is always urinating in the same place, it may be wise to place the litter box there and gradually move it back to where you want it.
   • Choose a place that is safe and convenient for your cat. Do not place it near the food, in a damp basement, in the toilet, or near any appliance that could startle your cat.
   • If you have several cats in the house, spread the boxes all over the house. Don't line them up in a room because you don't want a cat avoiding its litter box because it wants to avoid another cat. Place a bowl in each cat's preferred location.
   • Make sure there is a litter box in your house for every cat, and add an extra one. If you only have one cat, but live in a multi-story home, have a litter box on each floor.
6. Maintain your litter box. Scoop out the waste at least twice a day, and change the entire container once a month. If you're not using clumping litter, change the entire bowl once a week.
   • Strong smelling cleaning products can scare your cat away from the litter box. When cleaning the container, use bleach very diluted with hot water, or you can use dish soap that is very diluted.
   • Check the type of litter. Cats like unscented, sandy surfaces for its softness and ability to burrow and cover. They also don't want scented substances because their sense of smell is very sensitive.
   • Studies have shown that most cats want loose, clumping, unscented clay litter with activated charcoal.
   • Make sure there is enough litter by keeping it about three inches high and topping up periodically after each cleaning.
   • Research advanced self-cleaning litter boxes as they have many drawbacks. These litter boxes can scare your cat or clump easily. The main drawback is that it doesn't allow you to monitor your cat's health because it removes large lumps before you have a chance to examine it.
7. Make your cat happy. There are many factors that can cause your cat to stress and avoid his litter box, including moving, renovating, multiple cats and generally any sudden change. Address these environmental factors to give your cat a sense of security and comfort in its own property.
   • Observe the social dynamics in a multi-cat home. Conflicts can cause unwanted urination, especially if they occur near the litter box, causing one of the cats to associate it with bad memories.
   • Don't punish your cat for urinating outside of the litter box. Punishing will not only scare your cat of you, but it will make him think that peeing is getting him in trouble. You need to find out why he is urinating outside the litter box, as punishment is counterproductive.
8. Consult with your vet. Your vet will physically examine your cat and have their urine tested to find out if the problem is a result of your cat's health. Urinary tract infections and kidney problems are common problems that cause your cat to change urination habits.
   • Age can also be a big factor in urination problems and the older the cat is, the more stinking of his pee.

Tips

• Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can get rid of the smell, but it won't make the stain go away.
• Ask a professional for advice if you plan to replace your floor.
• Make sure to read labels of any store-bought products to ensure the safety of you and your cats.

Warnings

• Hydrogen peroxide can stain wood surfaces - be sure to dry the furniture completely and wipe off the hydrogen peroxide after using it on lacquered wood. Otherwise, you could end up with cloudy white spots on your wood floor.

Necessities

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Wood bleach
• Odor remover
• Sandpaper
• Retouching pen
• White vinegar
• Cloths
• Paper towels
• Plastic foil
• Adhesive tape