2 cats, several problems

[Jenmc27]

I have 2 cats, one is 9 and one is 3. They are both females, both spayed, and fight all of the time. My problem is, I have been thinking of selling my house so I began to finish my basement. They found the need to use the restroom on the cement floor, which makes the whole house smell and impossible to work in. Now, my husband is thinking about joining the Army so we will have to sell our house, and soon! So, what can I get to get rid of the smell? What can I clean a cement floor with? I have tried citrus cleaners, they don't care, it does not bother them. I love them, but I am thinking I am going to have to get rid of them if this doesn't stop. They have ruined my carpet already, and it looks like the basement is going the same way. Any help will be GREATLY appreciated!!
P.S. I have tried that Feilway spray. Doesn't do a thing!!

[jason]

They have ruined my carpet already, and it looks like the basement is going the same way.

not sure about the smell (other than typical cleaning products) but this urinaing behaviour could be better handled if you/we investigate the reasons.

before you mentioned the carpet, i was thinking that perhaps some smell in/on the basement floor was bugging both of them and they are trying to "scent" it.

when you say ruin carpet, do you mean they urinate there? how long has this been going on? can you think of any changes in the household (furniture, rugs, people in and out, etc) that may have conributed to this?

the majority of urination problems are health related and some are behavioral, since both are doing it...perhaps its just behavioral.

[jenmc27]

I have taken them both to the vet and she says it is not a physical problem. So it must be behavoral. It's been going on for about 2 years now. The carpet being ruined is from the younger cat peeing when they fight. She does that major hissing deal and pees herself. Oh, and every day I have new hairballs to clean up on the carpet, so it is stained to no end.

The only "Change" I can think of is when we started finishing the basement. Now that it is pretty clean and being re-done, they "go" there.

[Jenmc27]

Also, does Ammonia get the smell of cat urine out? I was told so, but then I was told that the cat thinks it is other urine so they "mark" again.

[kate & kobi]

Have you tried Nature's Miracle to get rid of the smell?

[jason]

i have noticed similar problems with ammonia, have used febreeze (i think thats it) with no problems.

[Jenmc27]

No, I have not tried nature's miracle. I just bought ammonia today. This is just so hard to clean b/c it is concrete...

[Guest]

I use Simple Solutions, which is very similar to Nature's Miracle. You can find it at pet stores, and it's not too expensive. (I bought a gallon for around $10-15.) It is enzymatic, so it removes the odor, and it really works.

If you don't want to spend that much, you could always try Era laundry detergent or something similar with enzymatic cleaners to clean the floor. Concrete is porous, so it's important to let it soak. It needs to be concentrated - so the enzymatic sprays would really probably work best.

Good luck!

Susan and the girls

[Jenmc27]

Oh, thanks. I should try that. How do I know what has the enzymatic cleaners in them? And how long should I let it soak in?

[Tina B and crew]

Hi...most enzymatic cleaners will say just that...you usually find them at most pet stores. I'd stay away from using the ammonia. There is also a product called Odo-ban http://www.odoban.com/pages/products/household.html that works pretty well at getting rid of odors, however I caution using it in areas where your cats will be immediately after. We have used it to clean our concrete garage floors in the past, but always made sure it dried completely before letting our cats go back into the garage. I did find one site that warns about some problems they had with Odoban and their cats health. If you are moving and your cats won't be in that area you might try Odoban.

http://catiators.ocicat.com/odobanwarning.htm

I know use Nature's Miracle almost exclusively and it works. It is expensive, but worth it.