While the smell of vinegar can be strong, it's nothing like the chemical/perfume smell of many cleansers that will irritate my asthma. If you're wondering if vinegar is safe for cats, the answer is yes, it is safe to use as a cleanser in cat households to clean everyday messes without dangerous chemicals.
Vinegar Drawbacks
If you're afraid that the excessive smell of vinegar will affect your cat, dilute the vinegar with a little water before brushing the container, and make sure you rinse the litter box thoroughly.
ARM & HAMMER™ Fragrance Booster instantly neutralizers odors and extends litter's life. The Multi-Cat Strength formula contains baking soda and destroys litter box odors for first day freshness every time you use it! It works on ALL types of cat litter and won't affect clumping!
Add baking soda to the litter: Surprisingly, baking soda is a great all-natural deodorizer that is both safe for cats and can help manage the litter box smell. By mixing a little bit of baking soda with the litter, you can help absorb any urine odors also.
If you're wondering whether your cat can safely drink vinegar, or if it's safe to clean with vinegar in the house with pets, then the simple answer is yes, it is safe as vinegar is not toxic to cats.
Baking Soda
If you're still having odor problems, try sprinkling a little baking soda on the bottom of the box before you add fresh litter each week, or place an open box of baking soda in the same area as the box.
Scoop waste daily. How often you replace the litter depends on the number of cats you have, the number of litter boxes and the type of litter you use. Twice a week is a general guideline for replacing clay litter, but depending on your circumstances, you may need to replace it every other day or only once a week.
Keep It Clean
1 rule, and the only thing that will keep litter box odor at bay, is constant cleaning. That means scooping the box out at least twice a day, removing the solids and liquid clumps if you use clumping litter.
Make sure the litter box is in a well ventilated area. Keeping the box in a small closet or cupboard will cause the smell to build up and may cause your feline to find a new bathroom.
Baking soda is a great all-purpose cleaner that can eliminate tough odors, including stubborn ammonia-based smells. A little goes a long way too, so sprinkling a small amount on top should be enough to clear out those bad smells.
While the scent of vinegar is not a problem for them physically, they just don't like it. Because of that, vinegar can serve as a natural deterrent if there's an area you'd like your cats to avoid. When diluted, the smell is much fainter, and vinegar can be a great tool for cleaning without chemicals.
Vinegar, while a bit smelly itself, works to remove the lasting odor of sprayed cat urine because vinegar is an acid that neutralizes the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains. A solution of one part water and one part vinegar can be used to clean walls and floors.
The smell of vinegar can keep your cats away from some specific areas and items in and around the house. Vinegar can work as an effective cat repellent and training tool. Using Vinegar can make you prevent your cats from going to that your favorite furniture or any other area in the house.
Just spray a light layer of the cat litter deodorizer on the bottom of the box before you add litter to provide an extra line of defense against kitty litter odor. You can also use the litter odor eliminator after scooping or whenever you notice that your litter could use a little boost.
Cleaning the area thoroughly with vinegar first and then applying an enzyme treatment will break down and evaporate the uric acid and your home will be free of cat odors. Vinegar and enzyme cleaners work on all surfaces: hardwood floors, carpets, mattresses.
Simple chemical deterrents such as citrus peelings or coffee grounds spread around the area where the cat urinates may stop him coming around. Some people suggest sprinkling pepper around, but if this gets into the cats eyes, it can cause severe damage, so this should be avoided.
Then you're going to want to douse the spot with an enzymatic cleaner or simply make your own cleaning solution by combining (white or apple cider) vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. Because the vinegar is acidic, it will neutralize the bacteria in the cat pee, offsetting its odor.
Cats can develop painful kidney infections, bladder infections, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections if their litter boxes are not kept clean. The vets at Anasazi Animal Clinic recommend daily scooping and weekly litter changes to best protect your cat's health.
How often should you change cat litter? Ideally, you should spot clean your cat's litter tray every day and replace the litter at least once a week. If the tray is left to become dirty, your cat may prefer to use the floor instead!
In a spray bottle, mix 16 ounces (about 500 ml) of warm water with 10 drops of peppermint essential oil or two tablespoons of peppermint extract. Spray all of the areas that you think your cat may have urinated or marked. Within a few hours the scent will be gone.
Dogs can have distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar (ACV) as long as you use it in moderation. Serve your dog one tablespoon of diluted vinegar in their water bowl or let it soak into their kibble. Keep in mind there is always the possibility your specific dog might have an allergy or intolerance to vinegar.
Vinegar. Most cats hate the scent of vinegar, and it can be used as a safe deterrent just about anywhere. Vinegar smells strong to humans, but usually the scent tones down as it dries. Cats can still smell it, though, which makes it an effective deterrent.