The cat population in America is more than 75 million, and anyone who owns a cat knows that stains and smells from cat urine odor can be a problem. Cat urine that seeps through carpet, into padding and down to the floor beneath can give your home an unpleasant aroma and bad look. In almost all cases, cat urine is the worst perpetrator for cat stains and cat odors.

 When cats urinate as a means of elimination, they normally do it on a horizontal or flat surface like the ground or in a litter box. When cats spray in order to mark their territory, they turn their backsides to the object, twitch their tails and spray urine on the vertical surface.

 The cat’s urine is an amber-colored liquid waste fluid excreted by the kidneys and is composed of waste products of protein metabolism. The color of cat urine and its staining potential will often depend on dietary habits, age and sex of the cat, whether the cat is on medication, and the health of the cat. It can saturate absorbent materials such as padding, upholstery and mattresses.

 Cat urine odor and other pet area odor problems result from ammonia, gases emitted from urine and feces. Left untreated these pet odors can increase in concentration resulting in health problems for animals and humans alike. Studies have shown that even low levels of ammonia can cause damage to the respiratory tract, high rates of pneumonia, reduced weight gains and excess stress on cats.

 Cat urine has a distinctive and unpleasant odor that can saturate furniture and carpeting. Even litter-trained cats can spray when stressed or upset.  Cats who develop frequent spraying should be taken to the veterinarian to determine if a medical cause is behind the increased spraying. No matter why a cat sprays urine, the odor is strong and pungent. Removing cat urine odor is often a difficult task for the cat owner but it can be accomplished.

 Before you start, if you are having problems locating where your cat has urinated or sprayed use a black light. The offending area will show up using this method. Many products are on the market to remove cat urine odors but all are not equal.  Cat owners who want to use a professional product should ask a veterinarian for a recommendation.  Cat urine odor can also be removed with common household items and some old-fashioned cleansing.

How can I clean it and get the odors out?

Is there a way to do this withoug renting any equipment?

I took it outside and tried to clean it with a hose and some soap… wich made me feel better, but I can still smell a yucky wet dog odor.

What should I do..?

Its a really nice rug aside from the odor… with no strange foreign objects caught in the nap or anything like that!

Most dog owners will have occasional dog odor and will need to have some tricks for quick cleanup. The key to a home that people want to visit vs. having a home that “smells of dog” is knowing what to do to both clean up the smell and to prevent the smell.

I want to preface this with the fact that I have four dogs in my home. Now I know this sounds like a lot. However, I want you to know that I also get compliments on how my house smells. The first thing people say is wow your house smells good. They truly are shocked. They all naturally assume my house will smell bad. Or they see my dogs and are shocked that I have dogs. (These are the rare few that come over or my emergency child-care and are unaware of the dogs until afterwards.)

Supplies:
Let’s talk about some basic supplies all dog owners should have.
•    You need to have poop bags to pick up waste not only for walks but also in your own backyard. Scented is nice but not necessary.
•    Baking Soda
•    Large Quantities of Salt to spread on accidents
•    Vinegar
•    Gloves
•    Grooming Tools (I prefer rubber brushes but a brush is absolutely necessary.)
•    Doggy cologne for emergency situations

Prevention:
Preventing dog odor is the best tool in your arsenal in dog odor removal. Brushing your dog everyday is the best thing you can do. I hear people give their dogs a bath once a week. I could not imagine doing this with four dogs. I give my dogs a bath twice a year and trust me they smell great. However, I brush them once a night and while watching TV. My rubber brush removes the dirt and keeps them smelling great. Then in emergencies after they have just gotten into something and someone is coming over, out comes the doggy cologne.

The other great prevention tool is the doggy bag. Nothing can funk up a house more than a backyard full of poop. Pick it up as they go or at least every day. Dogs get into and so do you. It reeks, so pick it up! You need the bag to prevent your house from smelling as well. Tie that sucker up tight.

Dog Odor Removal
When your dog does have an accident, you will need to remove it quick. House broken dogs won’t have accidents unless they are sick but they do get sick. Take sick dogs to the vet and clean up the mess.

Carpet:
After soaking as much up as you can with a towel, spread baking soda the spot and scrub it in to absorb more odors, and then vacuum. Spread salt liberally to soak up any remaining urine, let sit before vacuuming.

Hard Surface:
Check to make sure it does not discolor the surface first. Mix together three parts vinegar and one part water and scrub the surface to eliminate odor. Then liberally flush the area with water. You may want to with dish soap and water afterward to eliminate any vinegar smell.

• Permanently and completely removes tough cat stains and odors
• Scientifically formulated to attack the odor itself
• Safe to use on carpets
• Safe to use around pets and children
• 32 ounce bottle

Product Description
Cat owners agree there is no odor quite as pungent as spray from an un-neutered male cat. At last there is a product scientifically formulated especially for all those tough feline odors and stains. Cat spray & urine stain & odor remover utilizes a revolutionary bacteria and enzyme technology that attacks the unique components found in cat spray, urine, feces, and vomit. This ready-to-use formula is the best on the market…. More >>

Simple Solution Cat Stain and Odor Remover, 32-Ounce

So you have a real soft spot for cats. You’re not alone. Over 38 million households in the United States alone have a least one cat. But sharing your space can be challenging. Attention to these 7 areas will help you and your cat be glad you found each other.

Focus on Litter Box-Start training your cat immediately to use the litter box. One of the best ways to reinforce use of the litter box is praise from you. Add a favorite treat, toy, or activity and you’ll both be on your way to happier times. Never scold, yell, or hit if they go wide of the mark.

Harsh treatment will only hinder their progress and weaken your relationship, neither of which will help. Make sure the litter box is kept pristine. Cats have better noses that people, and they need their box kept clean to encourage them to do their business.

Reduce Hair-A certain amount of hair is to be expected on you and on the places your feline friend frequents. The only way to eliminate it totally is for one of you to move out. Short of that, choosing upholstery that makes the hair less obvious is a great trick.

You can also use a pet hair roller to get it off of your clothes and upholstered pieces as well. Opt for low maintenance coverings for furniture or cover furniture that your cat frequents with sheets or blankets that can be washed easily. When you’re expecting guest, remove them to show off your furniture without cat hair.

Reduce Dander-The small dead flakes of skin (or dander) that cause so many allergy and asthma sufferers to start to sneeze, wheeze, or experience tightness in the chest are constantly being produced by your cat.

Dander is a normal part of their growth and development and will continue all their lives. Proper grooming, appropriate diet, and type of cat will all determine the amount of dander with which you will live.

Limiting upholstery, draperies and carpeting will make it easier to remove dander by cleaning. Airborne dander can be removed with a high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) air cleaner.

Select Food Carefully-Some like it dry, some like it from a can, some are left to eat when they want, and some are fed once or twice a day. How and what you feed should be discussed with your vet. But making sure that it is receiving the proper nutrients is vital to a happy, healthy cat.

Maintain Good Health-Setting regular wellness appointments with the veterinarian insures that your companion is in good health and receives vaccinations that prevent feline conditions that can prove fatal. It can also prevent little problems from becoming big ones.

This ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. Regular checkups give you peace of mind, and your cat a higher quality of life.

Give Lots of Attention-Even though cats are billed as independent sorts (and a lot of them are), that doesn’t mean they don’t want and need attention and affection from you. Be sure to spend time with your cat doing the things it likes every day. After all, experiencing that bond is the reason behind owning a cat.

And the stronger the bond, the more likely all the other issues are likely to fall into place. Provide a scratching post, toys that generate interaction, and a little cap nip would surely be appreciated too.

Eliminate Cat Odor-At one time or other this issue has probably been the bane of most cat owners’ existence. But proper diet, good health, litter box training can all help.

If your cat should make a mistake, take them to the spot, tell them no, then take them to the litter box. Clean up the area being sure to neutralize the smell so that it is less likely to literally go there again.