Best Cat Urine Odor Removers

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio

When you have a cat, you want your home to smell fresh. To keep things smelling sweet, here are our picks for the best cat urine odor removers.

When you have a pet, a mess every now and then is inevitable. But when your cat urinates outside the litter box, whether it’s because the litter box was too dirty, she doesn’t like the litter you chose, she isn’t feeling well, or you have a kitty who wants to mark territory, unsightly stains and offensive odors can be difficult to remove.

The good news is that, by simply using the right cleaning product designed for removing urine odor, you can clean up these messes surprisingly easily. To make your search for the best cat urine odor removers a little easier, check out our list of recommendations below. The products are listed in no particular order, but they are all designed to help you get rid of the offensive odors and stains that come from feline urine.

Note: If your cat is urinating outside the litter box, consult with your veterinarian. There might be an underlying health problem that needs to be addressed. And if your cat is spraying, your vet can help you figure out the best ways to get your kitty to stop exhibiting that behavior.

1. Editor’s Choice: ANGRY ORANGE Ready-to-Use Citrus Pet Odor Eliminator Pet Spray

Cat urine is notoriously difficult to remove, and can often stay embedded in furniture, carpets, and even floors. But this doesn’t mean you have to turn to chemical-laden cleaning products to get rid of the stinkiness and stains- when there are pet-safe solutions that are as effective as professional-grade products. ANGRY ORANGE Ready-to-Use Citrus Pet Odor Eliminator Pet Spray is specially designed to tackle smell and stains left by pet urine and waste by eliminating the odor and then leaving a refreshing orange scent where once was a foul-smelling mess.

This handy spray bottle contains 32oz of fierce smell-fighting spray, and also comes in a smaller 8 oz bottle and a big one-gallon jug for multi-pet households. Of course, this product is totally safe to use around your pets and your children- it contains no chlorine and is color-safe, with no hazardous propellants. And since it’s a multipurpose product that doesn’t leave any residue behind, you can use it to eliminate other odors, as well, such as unpleasant smells from tiles, upholstery, litter boxes, bedding, garbage cans, car interiors and more.

2. Runner Up: Stink Free Instantly Urine Odor Remover for Cats

With a professional-strength formula, Stink Free Instantly Urine Odor Remover for Cats is a great non-toxic option for any cat urine problem from small urine spots to larger, set-in stains. It starts working instantly upon contact, removing both visible stains and troublesome odors that only your pets can smell. When it’s done, it leaves behind nothing but a fresh, citrusy scent.

Unlike many urine-specific cleaners on the market, it is not an enzyme cleaner. Instead, it uses aggressive, multi-functional oxidation to lift odors from deep within the carpet pad without the need for heavy scrubbing. This works by breaking down the chemical compounds found in urine, changing them into harmless, odorless substances. It is effective on a variety of surfaces including carpets, rugs, mattresses, furniture, and other fabrics. It is backed by the Stink Free guarantee, promising that (when used as directed) it will remove your pet odors or your money back.

3. Customer’s Choice: Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats Stain & Odor Remover Spray

The Nature’s Miracle Just for Cats Stain and Odor Remover comes in a convenient spray bottle. It can tackle a variety of messes, including feces, urine, and vomit, effectively removing stains and odors.

This is a formula that is bacteria-based, or enzymatic, and it is safe for use around pets. Basically, it will produce enzymes that are capable of targeting odors and stains to clean up a pet mess, and it will leave a light fragrance behind.

You can use this product on furniture, fabrics, carpets, hard floors, and more. However, it should not be used on materials like silk, wool, suede, or leather, and it also should not be used on untreated hardwood. Also, beware that it is a skin and eye irritant, and it should be kept out of the reach of children. It is also necessary to test any surface that you are going to treat to ensure color fastness before use.

Interested in the ingredients to be sure you feel okay about using this cleaner in your home? Here they are:

  • Water
  • Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Surfactants
  • Citrus Fragrance
  • Enzymatic Blend
  • Odor Counteractant

4. Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray

When you need to clean up serious messes left behind by your kitty, consider using the Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain and Odor Eliminator Spray. What’s great is that, in addition to cleaning the mess, it will discourage re-soiling because it can remove odors effectively. All that will be left behind is a light, fresh scent.

This enzymatic, bacteria-based formula is for the toughest and most severe messes, like urine, vomit, and diarrhea. To use this product, all you have to do is apply it with the spray bottle, wait 15 minutes, and then blot it dry.

You can use this spray on fabrics, furniture, carpets, hard floors, and more, but test for color fastness first. When used as directed, it should eliminate stains and odor, and it will dry fast.

Also, when using this product, keep in mind that it is a skin and eye irritant. It should be kept out of the reach of children as well. Here is a list of the ingredients in this formula:

  • Water
  • Surfactants
  • Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Enzymatic Blend
  • Fresh Fragrance
  • Preservative
  • Odor Counteractant

5. Simple Solution Cat Urine Destroyer Stain & Odor Remover

If your cat ends up urinating outside the litter box, you’ll want to use a product that will get to work right away at eliminating the contamination and odor. That is where the Simple Solution Cat Urine Destroyer Stain and Odor Remover can come in handy.

This formula can break down urine proteins completely, thereby neutralizing odors and removing stains. The spray is easy to use, as it is a continuous power spray that lets you get the product deep into upholstery, carpet, and other textile fabrics. This helps remove the odor for good, and it can help prevent your kitty from re-soiling the area. In other words, it doesn’t merely cover up the smell; it removes it.

To use this cleaner, all you have to do is saturate the area, let it work for five minutes, and blot it with a clean, dry cloth. Then, let the area dry completely on its own, as the ingredients will keep working until the area is totally dry.

Another nice feature is that, when you use it as directed, you can use this product safely around your kids and pets, although it is a good idea to keep them out of the area while it is drying.

Be sure to test for colorfastness first. This product is not recommended for use on leather, wool, silk, or velvet. And, before spraying an area, remove any excess liquid or loose particles first.

6. Simple Solution Extreme Cat Stain & Odor Remover

The Simple Solution Extreme Cat Stain and Odor Remover is three times stronger than the Simple Solution Cat Stain + Odor product. This means that it is even better at getting rid of the toughest stains and odors that your kitty leaves behind. It can quickly get to work on cleaning up feces, blood, vomit, and, of course, urine. And it can even tackle set-in stains and odors.

This is a professional strength formula that features the brand’s unique blend of Pro-Bacteria and enzymes. These break down organic residue completely, helping you permanently remove stains and odors, while also discouraging your kitty from marking the area again.

You can use this spray on upholstery, carpet, and other water-safe surfaces throughout your home, including bedding, clothing, and fabric toys. And it can safely be used around kids and pets, provided that you use it only as directed. It also has a multifunctional 3-in-1 nozzle sprayer with foam, mist, or stream options you can switch to and from to ensure an easy and effective process of cleaning on all types of surfaces.

Because it can target different messes, be sure to read the label carefully, as there are separate sets of directions for urine, feces, blood/vomit, and other messes.

7. Skout’s Honor Professional Strength Urine & Odor Destroyer

Skout’s Honor Professional Strength Urine and Odor Destroyer is a hardworking spray that will work quickly on old and new urine stains. It breaks down and eliminates odors and stains, working at the molecular level in an eco-friendly way using what is known as BioKore technology.

In addition to urine, this product also works on cleaning up vomit, feces, and hairballs. Basically, if you want to permanently remove stains, as well as get rid of feline pheromones, this product can do all of that. It even helps prevent your cat from re-marking the same spot.

You can use this spray on carpets, clothing, upholstery, and rugs. It will leave behind a fresh, clean scent after destroying odor molecules and breaking down stains. All you have to do is saturate the stain and the surrounding area, and let it sit for five minutes before removing excess moisture. Then, just let it dry completely.

What’s nice about this product, too, is that it never expires, you don’t need to dilute it, and you don’t need to do any mixing. It is also safe to use around kids and pets, it’s biodegradable and non-toxic, it’s cruelty free and vegan, and it does not contain any harsh chemicals.

The ingredients in this product are:

  • Deionized water
  • BioKore (plant-based surfactant)
  • Biodegradable molecular complex (mineral-based deodorizer)
  • Plant-based fragrance

8. Rocco & Roxie Supply Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator

Begone, gross smells and disgusting stains! This heavy-duty, professional-grade cleaner removes pet urine completely – from any surface- thanks to its powerful enzymatic formula. Rocco & Roxie Supply Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator contains natural enzymatic bacteria which feed on organic matter and ammonia crystals: in other words, they devour your pet’s urine, even if it’s a tough, old stain. All you have to do is spray on a liberal amount of the product on the stain, leave it working its magic for 5 to 10 minutes, and then blot everything out with a cloth. In case of tougher stains and older pee marks, you might have to leave it working for at least an hour and repeat the process.

But the best part about this cat urine odor remover is that it’s both powerful and completely safe to use around pets and children. The bio-enzymatic formula delivers a targeted effect on urine but isn’t harsh. As a result, you can safely use this cleaner on carpets, upholstery, hardwood, tiles, even laundry. An all-around lifesaver! A guarantee of effectiveness is the fact that this stain and odor eliminator has been awarded the #1 bestseller title on Amazon and is rated at 4.5 stars with over 70,000 ratings.

9. Wee Away X2 Ultra Concentrated Odor & Stain Remover for Cats & Kittens

The Wee Away X2 Ultra Concentrated Odor and Stain Remover is designed for messes that felines leave behind. It works by breaking down stains and odors completely, allowing you to easily clean up urine, vomit, and more.

If you are in search of a product that contains natural ingredients, this one is worth checking out. With enzymes and d-limonene, it can destroy the source of the odor, rather than merely masking it, and it can help leave your home smelling fresh. Use it on fabrics and carpets to leave them free of stains.

After testing for color fastness, this product is easy to use. But you do need to read the directions carefully to find out what steps you need to take to clean up various messes, such as vomit, feces, urine marking, or urine puddles.

The eco-friendly enzymes and the odor-eating bacteria in the formula will get to work right away no matter what mess you’re dealing with. However, you might have to reapply this product a few times to prevent your cat from re-marking the area.

10. Fizzion Dog and Cat Stain and Odor Remover

I remember the first tablet of Fizzion I used to clean up a mess at the shelter. I have a particularly sensitive head to fake odor covering smells and when I spayed Fizzion, I smelled nothing. I actually smelled less than nothing. You see Fizzion doesn’t cover up the smells it eradicates them with their formula of hypercharged hydrogen peroxide. The secret is in the formula which has 50% more active ingredients, so it quickly and powerfully cleans even the worst smells and stains, including feces, urine, vomit, and blood. You can use it in the air around litter boxes, you can use it where accidents happen, you can even take part of a pod and drop it in with your laundry. The ingredients in the formula will prevent pets from returning to the spot to relieve themselves again as it will fully eradicate the trace of the previous accident.

If nothing smelled fresh, then it would smell exactly like Fizzion. Don’t overlook this brand, as someone who has tried almost everything on the market you couldn’t get me to change away from Fizzion. It does the trick every time and leaves my house smelling naturally cleaner than it was before. To boot, it contains no harsh chemicals – it is non-toxic and safe to use around your children and animals.

You No Longer Have to Worry About Urine Odors

Having a feline companion in your life is wonderful, until you have to clean up gross messes. Thankfully, there are a lot of products available from various brands that know the importance of keeping your home and belongings odor free and stain free. Whether you’re looking for a professional strength formula or one that is eco-friendly with natural ingredients, you can easily find the solution that’s best for you. Then, you can quickly and easily eliminate urine odors and deter your kitty from making the same mess again.

What should I consider when choosing cat urine odor removers?

When you choose a cat urine odor remover, you want it to be effective and to do its job thoroughly – no trace of urine left behind, be it a stain or smell. That’s why the first thing you should consider is the formula – go for enzymatic cleaners if you prefer natural but effective solutions, or opt for heavy-duty cleaning solutions that utilize oxidation. Whichever you choose, be sure to double-check if it’s safe to use around pets (you want to eliminate cat urine smell, not harm your pet in the process), and that it’s safe to use on an intended surface – some can be used only on grass, others are good for upholstery and leather, some work for tiles or hardwood floors, and others are multi-purpose.

How can I stop my cat peeing around the house?

The first step is to check if the litter box is to your cat’s standards: it should be clean, in a low-traffic but easy to reach location in your home, with litter your cat prefers (some felines can be really picky about it), and that it is not occupied already by another cat (there should be multiple litter boxes if there’s more than one cat in the home). If everything is alright with the litter box but your cat keeps peeing around the house, it might be a behavioral or medical problem such as a UTI that’s causing them to pee where they are not supposed to, so eliminate any health issues as an underlying cause. Another common reason is marking, which happens especially in intact males (but can happen in females, too), so consider neutering or spaying your pet to solve the problem of urine marking. In addition to treating the cause of the erratic peeing, you should also simultaneously remove all traces of urine from your home with a cat urine odor remover to prevent them from returning back to the same spots and repeat the cycle.

How do you clean and deodorize cat urine?

If the urine is fresh, the first thing to do is blot the spot with a paper towel, before applying a cat urine odor remover. It’s best if the odor remover contains enzymes that will break down the proteins in the urine and eliminate all traces of the stain and the smell, preventing the cat from coming back to pee on the same spot afterwards. Leave the cleaning solution for the recommended period of time, then blot the spot again. If the cat urine odor remover wasn’t scented, you can wipe the spot with a scented cleaner of your choice – but only if the smell of urine was already removed by the cleaner. Covering cat urine with deodorizers will only make matters worse and the smell even more foul.

Does vinegar deter cats from peeing?

Cats usually detest strong odors such as citruses and vinegar, so the potent acidic smell of vinegar should make any cat steer clear from the area doused with it. However, it won’t work on all cats – some can tolerate the smell better than others or simply get used to it. Additionally, using vinegar as a deterrent isn’t applicable in all situations – you might want to spray it in the backyard to keep feral cats at bay, but you certainly won’t want to pour it over your sofa to keep it protected from your pet.

How can I find out where my cat peed?

Sometimes, especially if the urine has dried, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact location from which the urine odor is coming from. That’s where blacklight comes in handy! There is a certain compound in feline urine that glows green under a blacklight, so shine it all over your home, particularly in the areas where the odor is more potent. Leave no stone unturned – get into the nooks and crannies, under furniture, on the walls, anywhere you might think your cat might have peed. It could even just be a thin splatter that you’ve missed that’s still releasing odor even after a seemingly thorough cleanup.

How long does cat pee smell last?

Unfortunately, cat pee smell can last for years and years. The culprit for the cat urine odor longevity is uric acid, which is notoriously difficult to eliminate and can virtually make the cat pee smell last forever. This is why enzymatic cleaners are most effective when dealing with cat urine, as they break down all of the components to fully eliminate the cause of the smell once and for all.

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Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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