by Judy J. Lehrman

Created on: May 22, 2010   Last Updated: May 24, 2010

Do you have an old cat who has very little bladder control anymore? Or maybe a kitten or youngish cat who has never learned to use a litter box or tell you when it wants out? I have had both at times, and in my younger days, with small kids & a lack of money to spend on high-priced litter boxes and cat care items, I didn't handle it so well.

Since I got older and my kids grew up, so that I had lots of time and enough money to do things right, I learned from having a puppy (works great for cat urine too!) to use UN-diluted hydrogen peroxide just like you buy it from the neighborhood store, no water, no soap, nothing else.  Don't spray it on, pour it on. Just enough to cover the spot and for some (or a lot) to sink into the pad underneath. Most modern carpets don't fade from it. Wool carpets might, or special materials. Test a small amount on a place that won't show & wait about 30 minutes to be sure it won't fade the carpet or cloth. If you can't use peroxide, either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar works well, though NOT as well as peroxide. If the area you need to clean is indoor wood, just pour it on there also, BUT have a cloth or paper towels with you, and after you pour it on, wait about 1 minute, then wipe it all off and dry it. I say if you must use vinegar, who cares if it smells like vinegar later, vinegar is a great smell compared to cat urine! And it fades away real soon. Cat urine never does. I wish I had known that when an old cat who couldn't make it to the door. Or when people used to bring unwanted kittens to me all the time, knowing I'd never let a kitten starve or be abandoned, nor abused.  Young cats learn to use the box really fast, as they can bury "it", and that's a cats natural way outdoors. I once a kitten for a few days who tried to use my flowerpots the 1st day, til I showed it I'd let it out whenever it wanted. It was 6 weeks old, and learned the 1st day. (I only had it a few days? Yes, an older couple next door adopted it. Thank God.) Yes, cats also learn to tell you they want out fairly soon. If you don't keep the litter box clean, or you don't let them out right away when they let you know they need out, you'll probably have a bit of trouble with them learning it fast. If so, remind yourself it's your own fault. Giggle. So listen up or learn the hard way. As with dogs, there are no bad cats, just bad owners.

Male cats that spray need to see the vet. PLEASE.  It's gross, and they just love to surprise

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