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Cat Pee Detective

Mon, 2008-02-18 16:33 — Robin Olson

Yeah, that should be my title! Do you know that cat urine phosphoresces (glows) in the dark if viewed under a black light (Wood's Light/UV light)?
If you fear your cat is urinating somewhere in your house, but can't find it, simply wait 'til evening, turn off the lights and grab a black light. Simply by sweeping the area with the light, you'll suddenly notice dribbles on a wall, puddles on the floor, or odd stains on the furniture. If you're not positive it's urine and think it's some other stain, you could be right! You might have to take a sniff of the area to be sure. Don't get too close though! Yecch!

I've use this method many times before and it works well. It also, sadly, works if you got to a hotel and run the black light over the bedding! "Other" stains will appear..the kind you don't want to know about. You might want to leave the black light home!

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Wed, 2012-01-25 09:18 — cat lover (not verified)

is it weird...

Hi... i just found this stain on my sink and i have an older cat... it LOOKED like pee but I didnt smell anything... it had fur in it.. is it weird or normal that a cat would have fur in her pee?

Thu, 2012-01-26 13:56 — Robin Olson

Odd

I think some fur could have come off when the cat was in the sink and it just was in there with the pee. I don't think cats can urinate their fur. You can tell if it's pee if you use a black light to illuminate the sink which will make the cat pee glow.
Tue, 2012-01-31 01:52 — cat lover (not verified)

Thank you Robin! I will

Thank you Robin! I will definately have to buy a black light! I dont know why I havent after all these years of having cats around! I knew this and I never really bothered. But now since my baby is getting old, I get worried you know? I fear that day, when it comes. Shes a part of me now. Anyway, I will keep a closer eye on her and will get that black light! Is there a special kind that I should get? I like the ones they have on CSI because they are so portable. DO you have any suggestions in this area? Will a black light bulb work?

Tue, 2012-01-31 09:53 — Robin Olson

I prefer a battery powered black light but...

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Cat-Urine-With-a-UV-Light You can use a bulb if you have one...you just aren't as flexible in getting around with the cord.
Fri, 2012-01-13 10:34 — Andrea (not verified)

Cat pee smell

was overwhelming. we got it toned down but I still smell it I'm going out and getting a black light tonight. What I really want to know is, does cat pee ever fad away or will people always smell it when they come over?

Mon, 2012-01-16 08:52 — Robin Olson

Cat Pee

That is one tough smell to get rid of. I don't believe folks come here and smell it, but if you're still smelling it, odds are you MISSED a lot of places. That's what I find happens here. I think I know all the locations, then I find more by accident. You DO have to use the black light, but you also just have to "patrol" your home. That's what I have to do as well. The faster you clean it up, the better. I'd even repeat treat areas where it happens more often. I don't want to push one treatment or product but whatever you use let your cats tell you if it works-they will go over to an area that is not clean (even if you think it is) and spend time sniffing at it-or even flem (hold their mouth open)..so that is another telltale sign you missed a spot. Good luck!
Wed, 2009-09-09 21:22 — MELLISSA (not verified)

CATS

I WANTED TO KNOW IF CATS HAVE A CERTIN PLACE THEY WOULD USUALLY PEE IN LIKE A CORNER OR SOMETHING BECAUSE I HAVE A SMELL OF CAT PEE BUT CANT FIND IT AND I TRIED THE BLACK LIGHT.

Thu, 2009-09-10 17:00 — Robin Olson

If only...

...it was that easy. Cats can pee anywhere. You may have found the pee, but what did you use to clean it up? That's why you may still smell it. I rec'd zeroodorpets.com works well and leaves a fresh scent. You're right on track with using a black light. That should show you the problem area, but you might need to look under things, behind furniture, on the sides of the sofa or on a wall. Really LOOK everywhere. I hope you can find it! Good luck!

Sat, 2008-03-29 21:33 — Robin Olson

Seeing Pee

You have to have the light close to the floor, like maybe a few inches at most. That may be the problem. You bring up a point that I'd like to talk about in more detail-how cats communicate with us. Inappropriate urination is often seen as the cat trying to "get revenge" on their owners, when in fact, as we know, it's them trying to tell us they are sick, unhappy, scared, etc.

I'm going to be Blogging about this issue because it just came up in our rescue group. Stay tuned.

-Covered in Cat Hair

Sun, 2008-03-30 15:46 — tuckers mom

Yep, not revenge, usually a sign that something's wrong

Like I posted earlier. Tucker marks when his pancreatitis is flaring up.

My Lucy will mark only when she has a UTI.

I first learned of Tucker's diabetes when I brought him to the vet thinking he had a urinary tract infection, there was sugar in his urine and from there we learned about the pancreatitis and IBD.

Sat, 2008-03-29 09:38 — Robin Olson

Hardwood, Yes!

If they pee, it glows, whatever surface it's on! Yes, it works on hardwood floors. I only know because it happens here, um, too often.

;-)

-Covered in Cat Hair

Sat, 2008-03-29 20:37 — tuckers mom

maybe I don't have the room dark enough

I never see anything on the floors. I'll have to try late at night when it's really dark. That could be scary. Maybe my cats are just angels and only use the litter box :)

Tucker, when his pancreatitis is acting up, inappropriate elimination is his way of telling me it's time for meds. I guess that's better than having him suffer for weeks in pain. And he's nice enough to wait until I can see him doing it. Such a gentleman!

Thanks for the advice.

Fri, 2008-03-28 14:54 — tuckers mom

Does this work on hardwood?

I have the black light but it doesn't seem to pick up anything on my floors. Works great on the fabrics.

But, umm... my cats are angels, I don't have a need for this :)

Is there something that you use for hardwood floor urine detection?

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