My cats and the carpet

**cheriede** · 12-09-2009, 12:03 PM

I have two cats, who are 16 and 17 years old. Within the past few months, they have been using a certain area in my living room to do their business. I have tried vinegar and several commercial products with my steam cleaner and I can't get the smell out. I have also tried cleaning the spot and then cover it with an object, so they can't get back in the area. They just go in front of the blocked item. So, they are going to keep coming back to it no matter how many times I clean it. I've contemplated hiring Stanley Steamer to come out and give it a try, but I seriously doubt it's going to work. Unless it's guaranteed, I'm not sure it will warrant spending any more money. I'm starting to feel like I'm tossing good money after bad. I know it's a drastic move, but I'm start to think that the only way to get the smell out is to remove the carpet and replace the boards in the floor and put something down like laminate. Is there anything that will remove that smell or is the only solution replacing the floor??? BTW, my cats are going to see the vet today to get check out. It could be a medical issue, but I'm pretty sure it's behavorial. Thanks for any help!

**Greebo** · 12-09-2009, 12:56 PM

To clean the odor, try "Nature's Miracle"

**cheriede** · 12-09-2009, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

To clean the odor, try "Nature's Miracle"

Pretty sure that's one of the first products that I tried and I didn't really notice that it helped that much. That's the stuff you have to put it down on the area, let it really soak in, cover it with plastic and let it air dry.

**jamie79** · 12-09-2009, 01:48 PM

At their age its likely not behavorial and more medical because of their age, I would take them to the vet

**sommersa** · 12-09-2009, 02:25 PM

Get professional cleaners. It works wonders. Ill give you a link when i get home from work. My upstairs is treated like a litter box by my roommates lil yorkie and this stuff will take it out and it wont come back, unless they piddle again. I ordered it on line, like 30 bucks for a gal, might seem like alot, but it will the last thing u use.

**frugalfranny** · 12-09-2009, 03:02 PM

At that age would be very curious to know what the vet says....

Keep us posted, and let us know if you find something that will work on the carpet.

Hope you can find something and get the problem fixed.....by either the vet or a cleaner.

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-09-2009, 03:33 PM

My last cat started that at the same age.

Nature's Miracle works once or twice, if they continue using the spot you will get so much urine in the carpet it will soak all the way down into the pad and your only option at that point is to replace it. If your sub floor is plywood you can paint over it with Kilz rather than replace that too.

Why are they not using the regular litter box? Has it moved or have you changed litter?

**shoiji** · 12-09-2009, 03:35 PM

I knew someone who had the same problem. Turned out the cat had a bladder condition that they were able treat. Natures Miracle is great. Try steam cleaning the area first then use natures miracle. Try to keep the cat out of the room until everything dries.

Let us know how the vet trip is.

**cheriede** · 12-09-2009, 05:24 PM

Just got back from the vet and 1 cat had an infection and the other one didn't. They went ahead and treated the one cat with an antibiotic and I have to take him back in about 10 days to make sure things a cleared. The other cat has lost more weight from the previous year and did have blood in his urine without an infection, so I opted to have bloodwork done him. I should find out tomorrow or Friday about the results. I asked what does blood in the urine normally mean and she was very open and frank with me. Given the age of the cat, I don't think I'll be too surprised when I get the results. Since the majority of the time was taken up with medical issues with both cats, I really didn't get a chance to ask her about products. I have to go back in another week, so I'll see what she has to say. I spent over 300 for that visit and they didn't even get their vaccinations.

As far as my carpet, I would not be at all surprised to find that it has gone through to the padding and hit the subfloor. I suppose I would be willing to make a last ditch effort and try the professional carpet cleaners. Thanks for your suggestions so far!