Removing cat pee smell and repelling cats

[FloydieDoydie]

I posted this in the cat section, but got no replies...!

We just moved into a new ground floor apartment and have found that our doorway and the attached meter cupboard seem to the favoured hangout of all the local kitties. So basically it stinks of tomcat spray

Is bleaching it all the best thing to remove the smell? Or will it just encourage them to come back and piss everywhere to make it smell nice to them again?

Are there any sprays or plants I can use to repel them or discourage them from returning?

Bleaching will actually attract the cats. There is something in the bleach that mimics the smell of cat wee, so they keep coming and marking the area. Try and really strong floral disinfectant instead.

Re: repelling them, there are lots of things that you can put in the garden, but none of them work in my opinion. The best thing to do is to put stuff in your door way that physically stops them from pissing on it, a bit like anti-tank defences. Its a bit difficult to suggest anything without having a clear idea of the layout.

Thanks for the reply I knew I'd read somewhere once that bleach would only encourage repeat offences!

Unfortunately there wouldn't be anyway of blocking the door, as the cupboard houses the electric key meters for the other flats too. Was suggested on my other version of the same thread to try hot water and bio-washing powder, so it's worth a go. But hopefully I can find a product to repel them too

you can get repellent sprays. But you have to clean away all the cat scent first. Keep cleaning and spraying and they will give up. I use a general purpose detergent with hot water in a garden sprayer when necessary.

The best product for removing the smell of cat spray/urine is Simple Solution, it contains enzymes that break down the bacteria that produces the smell. You can get it in various places including Pets at Home and online at Amazon.

a good tip for locating the exact spots that have wee is to use UV light ...you can get little hand held ones, it shows up tom cat spray.

zoflora is quite good for getting rid of the smell. Olbas oil works well for repelling them just sprinkle it around. I've also heard citronella works.

Cats don't like orange or ground pepper

We had problems with an entire tom who used to come in through the cat door and wee on my DDs pram.
Horrible thing to come home to .
I had to lock the cat door so my cat was in or out.

Then, I washed the pram with a non-bio washing powder solution and sprayed on a cleaner with orange oil (onto the wheels).
It seems to repell him (that and a cold water drenching )

Try orange peel, squeezed to release the oils.