Cat urine removal is one of the basic concerns of cat owners. If you do not clean the spot completely, your cat will be attracted to that spot again and again.

Various chemical salts like urea, urochrome and uric acid crystals form the basic ingredients of cat urine. The uric acid crystals are the major problem because they can get reactivated in humid weather. The overpowering smell of urine is as much a problem as the yellow, unattractive stains your cat’s accident can leave behind.

Every cat can have elimination accidents. You should always have a few supplies handy just in case. A good quality enzyme cleaner, gloves, spray water bottle, small disposal bags, sponges, and lots of paper towels will generally be all you need to clean these stains. Do keep in mind, though, that you should never use brushes or scrubbers to try to clean these stains. They could actually work the urine further into the fibers, which would pose a much larger problem, especially on carpeted surfaces.

Once you’ve found the soiled spot, slip on your gloves and use some paper towels to blot any excess urine from the area. Clean the spot thoroughly with your enzymatic cleaner, and be sure to follow all the directions on the cleaner’s package exactly. If you’re caught without an enzymatic cleaner, try putting peroxide on the stain, or washing the area with white vinegar. Never use cleaners that contain the tiniest amount of ammonia. The scent is close enough to cat urine that it may actually draw your cat back to the spot. Once you’re sure the stain is completely clean, rinse the area with room temperature water, blot, and allow the spot to dry.

If you have an odor and you just can’t find the stain that caused it, don’t worry. Pick up an inexpensive black light at your local novelty or hardware store. Urine and other biological stains will glow fluorescent under black light.

If the stain is on padded or foamy areas, simply cleaning the surface stain may not be enough. You may end up having to reupholster the piece and replace the underlying padding. That may very well be the only way to remove the stain and prevent resoiling.

We’ve talked about how to clean cat urine stains, but there is one other thing to consider: Why your cat went outside his litter box to begin with. First things first: is your cat’s litter box clean? Many cats are finicky and simply will not use a dirty litter pan. If you have more than one cat, are there territorial issues with the litter box? Make sure you have at least one litter box for two cats, and if there is fighting, one litter box per cat. Have there been any big changes in your household lately? A new baby, new pets, or moving to a new home, may upset a sensitive cat and can lead to inappropriate elimination.

If you can’t find any emotional or environmental reasons for your cat’s accident, or if it continues to happen, carefully evaluate his physical state. Is he eating properly? Is he as playful and lovable as normal? Have any other behaviors changed? It is very important to take your cat to his vet right away to make sure there is not a physical cause for his mishaps. Inappropriate elimination can be a sign of serious illnesses, and your cat will need treatment as soon as possible.