Young or Old Pets? Let's Agree Our Floors Sure Can Take a Beating

Photo Credit: Nadya So/Shutterstock.com

One of my favorite investments in my home was the removal of laminate floors and the installation of hardwood throughout. It was pricey, but worth it.

Solid oak versus engineered allows for multiple refinishes over time and was durable enough to withstand high traffic – specifically the clickety-clack of dogs as they run laps through the house. And yes, it has some dings and marks but I consider those to be the “patina” of a life well-lived with pets.

The Dilemma

Then came a feline that was supposed to stay a couple of months but ultimately became a permanent member of the fur crew. My Ginger boy is highly diligent about using his litter box so I assumed any set-up that worked for him would naturally appeal to this new addition. Not so much. Despite adding a second litter box, she seemed to prefer my hardwood floors and that meant every morning began with me cleaning up smelly puddles. Not the right start to the day.

A trip to the vet and she’s been ruled fit and healthy. No UTIs to explain her need to piddle so chronically and far away from the litter box. Oh, and did I mention she avoids pee pads like the plague? I’ve used the extra absorbent BV training pads for my dogs when they suffered from tummy troubles and I absolutely swore by them. But apparently, they hold no appeal to cats.

So, modifying her behavior to save my floors was becoming urgent and that’s why I turned to some of the more readily available remedies on Amazon.com.

Taking A Multi-Pronged Approach

Firstly, adding an extra litter box, ensuring it was cleaned out daily, and opting for a top-quality, non-scented litter such as Tidy Cats, was a no-brainer.

Next, I have, in the past, experimented with those popular pheromone plug-ins, but never felt the results were worth the price paid. I do know several pet owners who swear by them so I decided to revisit this popular option, hoping my new family member might be more receptive. When faced with so many brands, I lean towards those with the highest number of users/ratings. And with over 30,000, this plug-in from Feliway, ticked the box and became my next layer of defence.

I then sought out cleaning products that claimed expertise on the cat piddle front. I figured if thre are products that can effectively remove the nasty smell of feline urine from carpets and soft furnishings, there must be something for hardwood floors. Because, unlike tile or linoleum that can be mopped clean, hardwood has joints and seams that absorb liquid and ultimately discolor and retain smells. Meaning, if allowed to soak in, you have a natural draw for your cat to return to the same spot again and again. And she was doing just that.

After reviewing a number of cleaning products I narrowed my choice to two: the premium option was the all-natural yet somewhat pricey Kin-Kind Stain and Odor Destroyer for hardwood and then the less expensive yet well-known Resolve brand which claimed to use a 100% bio-based neutralization ingredient. Now, because I was taking a trial-and-error approach to the situation, I needed to be cost-conscious. So, I opted for the cheaper Resolve spray that labels itself a “urine destroyer”. It’s easy to use and has a pleasant scent that steers clear of the cheap perfume most cleaners use to mask odors. Happily, it mopped up easily without leaving a sticky texture or dull finish.

While effective at neutralizing the funky cat urine undertone, it still didn’t discourage her repeat visits to the site. Though I will still continue to purchase the product for clean-up, it wasn’t solving the problem or helping redirect her to the litter box.

Calming chews? There are loads of them out there and I know many people who have had success using them when travelling with anxious pets. But mine is a fussy feline and likely won’t buy into something that isn’t flavored to her exacting standards. I also didn’t want to have to monitor her to ensure she consumed said chew… particularly given I have three dogs and another cat roaming the house who would be happy to help out on that front.

I also considered the calming collars however, while they make it simple to ensure your pet has an endless supply of soothing pheromones travelling around with her, it would only work for a feline that agrees to keep her collar on. And that isn’t my gal.

So, I opted to go with a calming spray that can be applied directly to her sleeping space or travel cage. Again, I went with one that ranked highly and had over 6,000 ratings - Relaxivet Calming Spray for cats. It was reasonably priced and I felt, worth a try. Unlike oral options, I don’t have to monitor whether or not she’s “taken the bait”. The single bottle comes with an easily adjustable spray and a light, pleasant smell. It claims to reduce urine marking, spraying and peeing and uses natural pheromones.

Conclusions

For me, the Resolve Urine Destroyer spray is my new go-to for cleaning up any future incidents. And, I was surprised that the Relaxivet Calming Spray made such a noticeable difference in just three days. Mornings to date have been puddle-free and not only is she no longer urinating in her previously favorite spots, she has actually redirected her business to the basement litter box. A thorough scour of the house confirms she hasn’t “set up shop” in any secret location.

So, while you may be dealing with feline behavioral issues related to litter box use, there are a number of products out there that can help safeguard your home while you look for a more permanent solution. If your pet is a senior, there may not be a solution beyond clean-up diligence.

Now, you’ll need to take the trial-and-error approach I did in order to find the products that work for you and your pet, but trust me, your floors will thank you and your mornings are going to be a lot less stressful!