Kitchen Smells Like Cat Pee (Now what? + Prevention)
If your kitchen is smelling like cat pee you may be wondering why this is happening, is it really cat pee? And if it is, what can you do to clean and prevent it (Click here to see my best solution, on Amazon #Ad).
Why Does My Kitchen Smell like Cat Pee?
There are three main reasons why your kitchen may smell of cat pee: A development of mold, your cat has peed in there, but you can’t see it. Or, there is some traces of ornamental boxwood. Each of these is curable with the correct method.
3 options: Detection & prevention of kitchen cat pee smells
Description | Image | My Rating |
01. Cat Urine Detector light (My Best) Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad |
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02. Cat Calming Pheromone Diffuser Kit Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad |
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03. DIY Mold Test Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad |
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So, now you know a few reasons why your kitchen may be smelling like cat pee. But, how can you tell if its mold or cat pee? Could the smell be something else? If its cat pee, will it stain? Keep reading for these answers, and so much more.
3 Main Reasons Kitchens Smell like Cat Pee?
As discussed, there are various reasons why your kitchen may smell like cat pee. Additionally, it can also get very unhygienic to have that smell in a place where you’re supposed to cook or even eat.
Now, let’s take a deeper look at some of these factors that may be causing this gross smell.
01. Growth of Mold in the Kitchen
If you’re someone who doesn’t own a cat and constantly have the typical cat pee smell in your kitchen, the reason could be the growth of mold.
Mold is typically a type of fungi that grows in moist areas. Some of these molds, like black mold, have that type of smell. Additionally, black mold is also known to be toxic and dangerous. It should definitely be removed as quickly as possible.
02. The Smell of Ornamental Boxwood
The second probable reason why your kitchen stinks like cat pee is also because of ornamental boxwood. It is a type of common shrub found around a lot of places.
So, if you have it anywhere around your kitchen then that’s the root cause of the problem.
03. The Smell due to Old Cats
Your kitchen smelling like cat pee doesn’t necessarily mean it is because of your own cat (if you have any). It can also be due to the ex-owner of your house, who may have had cats.
So, if there’s a lot of moisture in your kitchen coming in close contact with wooden walls and floors, then it may cause the sudden release of the unpleasant odor.
These three are the most common reasons for your kitchen smelling like cat pee.
However, if you do own a cat, you should always stay alert as it may actually be your cat’s pee’s odor.
How to Differentiate Between Cat Pee Odor and Mold Smell?
There are times when one can get confused between the actual odor of cat pee and that of the mold. In such a case, you should definitely know which one it is to get rid of that smell.
The best way to know if it is the mold causing your kitchen to smell horribly is by using a DIY mold testing kit (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad). You can easily buy this product at a reasonable cost and save up on unnecessary expenses of calling someone to check.
All you have to do is take out the testing tape lifts, check surfaces you suspect may have mold growth, and then send these samples to the company’s laboratory. They will send you quick and accurate results as soon as possible.
One of the best things is the product comes with an instruction guide and can definitely help you find spots where mold can grow.
In this way, you can easily find out if the real culprit is the cat or mold growth.
What Exactly Is Kitchen Mold?
Just like any other mold, kitchen mold is caused due to high moisture levels in the kitchen or surrounding areas. It can get extremely unhygienic as well as dangerous, if not looked cleaned immediately.
Now, various reasons cause the mold to form and grow such as:
- The moisture from cooking activities
- Dishwasher usage
- Washing machine usage
- Leaking pipes or appliances
- Other food spills
You cannot stop any of the above things from happening. Yet, there are certain ways of removing non-toxic mold with the help of a proper cleaner and gloves.
On the other hand, if you see a greenish-black type of mold or black mold, you should remember that it’s toxic. So, you need to call professional mold removers to clean up that area effectively.
Is it the Smell of Cat Pee or Kitchen Drains?

Kitchen smells like cat pee.
Another uncommon reason for your kitchen smelling like cat pee could be your drainage system. Plenty of times when drains clog due to various reasons like piling up of small garbage objects, they may produce a bad odor. Sometimes, it may also end up smelling like cat pee.
This is important because it may turn out that it isn’t the smell of your cat pee or mold infestation. So, it is recommended to get the drains unclogged as quickly as possible to get rid of this smell.
Why Do Cats Pee in the Kitchen?
Well, if you cannot find mold, clogged drains, or the ex-owner didn’t have any cats, then mostly, it is your cat peeing in the kitchen.
There are plenty of reasons why your cat is peeing in the kitchen. So, to find the best possible solution to it, you definitely need to know the reason.
01. Medical Emergency
One of the major reasons why your cat has suddenly shifted from its litter tray to the kitchen is some kind of medical emergency.
Cats are usually very careful about their hygiene. If yours is showing this type of behavior then it may have a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). Another problem could be kidney stones or bacterial infection. So, you need to set up an appointment with your vet to get your cat checked.
02. Dirty Litter Box
Another reason why your cat has chosen the kitchen is that it is relatively cleaner than its litter box. Cats are picky about everything. So, consider cleaning the litter box if it gets too dirty or smelly.
03. Emotional Issues
Your cat may also pee anywhere, be it the kitchen or other rooms, out of nervousness or anxiety due to certain reasons.
How to Clean Cat Urine in the Kitchen
If you see your cat peeing anywhere in the kitchen, it is important to clean up the mess to prevent the smell of cat pee.
The cleaning method depends on the area the cat has peed onto like:
01. Kitchen Carpet
If your cat has urinated on the kitchen’s carpet, you can use an enzyme-based cleaner to clean it along with a good housekeeping seal holder.
For example, you can get a pet stain remover (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad). This product can effectively remove urine stains and help you get rid of that awful cat pee smell from the carpet (Click here if you have new carpet).
2. Wooden Kitchen Floors
It’s relatively easy to clean cat urine from wooden floors. You can simply use some paper towels for absorbing the cat urine and cleaning it.
To get rid of the smell and other germs, try using a floor cleaner spray (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad). Thanks to its formula, this spray can help in removing germs and the bad odor.
3. Kitchen Tiles
If your cat has peed on the kitchen tiles, consider cleaning it with a simple tile cleaner (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad). This cleaner can remove bacteria and germs. The citrus smell will also help in getting rid of cat odor.
Does Cat Pee Cause Staining?
Cat pee can cause staining if you don’t clean the pee right away. However, it is easy to get rid of the stains if you use the correct method to clean it up.
There is a two-part cleaning process involved as given below:
01. Vinegar Wash
The first step is to mix one cup of vinegar with three cups of water. Apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for some time.
The next step is to apply baking soda to the stain. The vinegar and baking soda will help in neutralizing it.
Lastly, put the urine-stained item in a washing machine. The water can be cold or lukewarm. However, do not use laundry (Click here if your cat is messing with your hamper too) detergent or hot/warm water.
02. Laundering the Item
Now, you can wash the urine-stained item with a particular enzyme-based detergent (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad). It can be done in cold water. These enzymes eat organic material and leave no trace of cat urine.
Lastly, air-dry the item and once it is fully dried, check for remaining odor or stains.
How to Locate Deep Cat Pee Stains?
There are times when you may not know where the cat pee smell is coming from. In this case, you can go for an effective and quick pet urine detector.
You can go for UV Blacklight Flashlight for detecting the cat’s urine (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad) stains. The UV flashlight is quite efficient, time-saving, and affordable too.
The UV light has great intensity to find even the most hidden stains. It is quite durable and long-lasting as well.
How to Prevent Cat From Peeing in the Kitchen?
If you don’t wish to go through all the hassle of cleaning a cat’s pee and then removing stains and odor, you can prevent your cat from peeing in the kitchen.
If there are no underlying medical conditions in your cat, there are certain methods to stop your cat from peeing in the kitchen like:
01. Use a Calming Pheromone Diffuser
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You can go for a cat calming pheromone diffuser kit (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad). This kit is safe, reliable, and helps in soothing cats and relaxing them. This can stop any aggressive or anxious behavior from their side i.e. peeing in the kitchen.
02. Cat Deterrent Spray
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If your cat is simply naughty, go for a cat deterrent spray (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad). This spray helps in keeping cats away from certain areas. It is quite safe for pets and effective.
So, whenever your cat enters the kitchen and is 3 feet away from this product, it will release some spray and your cat will go away!
Which Type of Smells Deter Cats From Peeing?
Cats hate certain fragrances, especially essential oils. So, it may also stop peeing in the kitchen (Could you use Jeyes Fluid for this? Click here) if you make use of certain fragrances. Some of these include – Citronella oil, Lavender oil, Peppermint Oil, and Orange Oil.
Just mix 20 drops of the above mentioned oils in a cup of water, pour it into a spray bottle, and spray it. You get the fresh smell in the kitchen and your cat won’t pee either!