Cats are great. They are the favorite companion for a lot of folks. They are loving and independent and are basically the bread and butter of high-quality internet memes. Researchers have even suggested that having a cat around can relieve stress, improve sleep, lower your risk of heart disease, and even improve your social life True story! Studies have shown that women are significantly more attracted to men with a pet than those without. On the other hand, cat pee (on your mattress, at that) is not so great.
Why Does My Cat Keep Peeing On My Mattress?
Though cats can reduce stress, when they urinate where they are not supposed to, they can certainly increase stress as well. You might be faced with a pee spot on your bed and find yourself wondering if your cat is trying to spite you or if you have a defective model — they aren’t and you don’t.
There are a lot of reasons that a cat might use your mattress to relieve themselves, but actively trying to drive you insane (though a likely side-effect) is not one of those reasons. So, first things first: take a deep breath.
There are several medical issues that can cause cats to have a hard time controlling their bladder. Kidney stones, bladder infections, diabetes, arthritis, urinary tract infections, and hyperthyroidism are among the most common health issues that may be causing your cat to have accidents.
Dietary changes can also cause incontinence. If this accident is not an isolated incident, if your cat seems to be experiencing any other pain, or if their habits have changed, talk to your veterinarian about your kitty’s health.
Social and environmental changes can cause cats to feel stressed and anxious, which may also result in urination outside of the litter box. If there have been major changes within your household, such as a new baby, pet, or partner, your cat may be feeling a bit anxious and forgetting their bathroom behavior. Make sure your cat has a space where they feel safe and secure and that they are getting enough attention.
Cats can also be a little bit finicky and have preferences about their litter box. Their box should be in a private and secure spot—make sure it isn’t next to the noisy washing machine, or in direct sight of the dog’s bed.
It is especially vital that kittens and older cats have a convenient and safe place that they can comfortably get in and out of in order to do their business. Aging cats might need a box with lower sides and softer litter and kittens need a box that is always close enough for them to get to quickly as their bladder control matures.
It is also important to make sure you have enough litter boxes and they are convenient for your kitty. A good rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat, plus one extra. You should also make sure that you have one box on every level of your home if it has multiple levels.
Greater access to litter boxes may mean less reading of articles about how to get cat pee out of your mattress. Though we want to be here for you we know you’d probably rather be reading or watching something else.
Alright, let’s get down to it. Here is your guide on how to remove cat urine from your mattress:
What Products You Will Need to Clean Cat Urine
Be sure you have everything you need before you start the process of removing cat urine from your mattress. Having the proper products and tools at the ready may make the process less stressful than it already is. You’ll need:
- Several clean and dry towels or rags. You may go through these fairly quickly, so make sure you have enough at hand.
- Gloves. You don’t need them, but you might want them.
- Plastic sheets or tarps. These will protect your mattress from the ground and your ground from the mattress.
- A cleaner. Whether you purchase a cleaner specifically designed for the job or use one of the home-remedy cleaners we mention below, you’ll need something to remove the stain and smell.
- Baking soda. Baking soda is the ultimate “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” method for drawing moisture out of fabrics.
- A home vacuum cleaner or Shop-Vac. A broom may also work, but a vacuum will do a better job of picking up damp baking soda without spreading it around.
Now that you have all of the tools you need to get cat pee out of your mattress, it’s time to get to work.
How to Get Cat Pee Out of a Mattress
If your kitty has mistaken your mattress as a good spot to squat, get to cleaning the mess as soon as possible to prevent the stain from sinking in or setting. If you catch it after it’s dried out, try a baking powder paste or vinegar to try and break up the odor-causing stain.
The cleaning method we’ve laid out is also a great way to get fresh cat urine smell out of your cushions. Follow these steps for thorough clean-up:
1. Absorb Liquid
Start by soaking up residual urine and moisture with a clean, dry towel or rag (you’ll need several of these throughout the cleaning process) gloves are optional, but highly recommended.
2. Prepare Your Workspace
Prepare the mattress for cleaning: move it outside to a clean, dry location if you can or use towels and plastic sheets or tarps to protect your box spring, bed frame, or floor from any water damage.
3. Saturate
Saturate the spot with a few cups of water to dilute the urine and flush out the smell.
- Tip: Don’t be too concerned about your mattress getting wet. The spot is already wet with pee, so water shouldn’t do any more harm. If you clean it properly and dry it thoroughly your mattress should be okay.
4. Absorb Again
Use another dry towel to apply pressure to the spot and absorb moisture.
5. Use Cleaner
Use about ½ cup of your preferred cleaner to saturate the spot (either spray or squirt an even layer over the affected area). Some good cleaners include:
- enzyme cleaners which are specially formulated to break down organic materials
- a vinegar solution
- a hydrogen peroxide and gentle detergent mixture
- feel free to add essential oils to your cleaning solution to give off a more pleasant fragrance
6. Absorb Yet Again
Let the cleaner soak in for about 15 minutes then use a clean, dry towel to apply pressure and absorb more moisture from the spot — we recommend piling something heavy, like books, on the towels and leaving them to soak up moisture for a few hours.
7. Use Baking Soda
Sprinkle the spot with baking soda to pull out moisture and neutralize odor.
8. Dry
Allow your mattress to fully dry out for 2-3 days. Here are some tips for drying your mattress:
- If the weather permits, leave the mattress outside in a clean area to dry out in the sun
- Keep a standing fan constantly directed towards the spot
- If you need to sleep on it, cover the spot in towels and make your bed as normal. Return the bed to drying mode in the morning.
9. Clean Baking Soda Periodically
Vacuum or sweep up baking soda as it absorbs moisture. Reapply as needed until your mattress is completely clean and dry.
Preventing Future Pee
If your cat has learned a bad habit or has marked your mattress with their smell, it may take a bit of time and patience for them to relearn proper potty protocol. In the meantime, you can protect your mattress from further mess in a few different ways.
At the risk of stating the obvious, if you’re worried about what your cat will do, keep them off of your bed and keep your bedroom door closed.
You should also make sure that your cat’s litter box is safe, appealing, clean, and easy to access. You might be dreading having to clean your kitty’s box more often but, it is MUCH easier than having to clean cat pee off of your mattress again, right?
If you don’t want to revoke your cat’s bedroom privileges, you can protect your mattress with a waterproof topper or invest in a mattress with a removable and washable cover. A few popular beds that have a machine washable cover include Puffy, Novosbed and YogaBed.
Essential oils can also be helpful in deterring your kitty from using your bed as a litter box. There are some smells that cats can’t stand. These include most citrus fruits, bananas, cayenne, mustard seed, and lavender, among others. You might consider spraying your bed, or any other spots you want to discourage your cat from claiming with one of these fragrances.
Hopefully, this has been helpful and you can go forth with a clean mattress and no harbored resentment toward your cat. You could say that we’re basically pet therapists and your first session is free! (The Slumber Yard is in no way licensed to practice pet therapy.)
Final Thoughts
With a little work and attention, cleaning cat pee from your mattress is easy enough. It’s best to clean the mattress as soon after your cat offends it as you can, but if you discover the accident too late, don’t give up hope you can still fix it with some more elbow grease. However, if you catch the accident in time, following the steps outlined above — and repeating if necessary — is one of your best chances for removing the cat urine from your mattress.
