Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/21/2008

Question
Hey there!

For some reason my 2-month-old kitten has decided that my bed is a nice
thing to double as a second litter box. I love her dearly but after she did it
twice in one day it's started to get on my nerves. I've washed the sheets after
each time, and am washing them with vinegar now but it still seems to not be
working. What do I do?! I'd like her to be able to sleep on my bed, but I can't
afford to risk her wetting it.

Thanks in advance!

Answer
Violet,

At 8 weeks the kitten may have been taken from the mother before she could teach the kitten about proper elimination. That occurs when the kittens are between 8 and 12 weeks old.

The kitten is also very young yet and they do not go far to use a litterbox. You may want to put one in your bedroom.

For now, I would put a plastic sheet or shower curtain on your bed and place an old bedspread or blanket on top of it. Plastic by itself seems to attract cats to pee on it instead of detracting.

Here is a 'receipe' for cat urine odor removal:

1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon of liquid soap

(3% hydrogen peroxide can be bought at most grocery and drug stores in pint and quart bottles).

Gently mix all ingredients in a non-metal container. Do not mix or shake vigorously!

The mixture is best used when fresh but can be stored. Do not keep mixture in an airtight container.  Have a VERY loose lid as baking soda and hydrogen peroxide when mixed together will release oxygen and an airtight container will explode. You can mix and keep it in large spray bottle (Home Depot, etc.) but a plastic liter or 2-liter soda bottle works just a well.

Always test for color-fastness. Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent in stronger concentrations and can lighten materials that are not color-fast.


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CLEANING CAT URINE FROM MATTRESSES:

For mattresses you must saturate the spot throughly to get deep down into the padding and springs to neutralize the urine. If the cat has urinated alot in one spot, the mattress can be soiled all the way to the other side! Let the area dry for 24-48 hours without bedding then reapply if necessary.

REMOVING CAT URINE ODOR FROM CLOTHING, COMFORTERS AND BEDDING:

Put the items in the washing machine and pour in enough of the recipe to cover throughly. This might take a few gallons depending on the size of the load. Soak for at least 24 hours, rinse and then rewash using normal washing detergent. If any of the odor is still present, soak again for 24 hours, rinse and rewash.

A small area on a comforter can be spot treated by saturating the area throughly, letting it dry for 24 hours, then washing the comforter normally in the washer with detergent.
Always check for color-fastness before using.

I hope this helps.

Tabbi