Laurie4b Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Yesterday, I smelled what smelled exactly like cat pee in our house. This morning, it is more widespread. We don't have a cat. What could it be? It's awful but I have no idea of where to look for the source because I've only smelled this kind of smell with cats. Usually knowing what could be making x smell helps me locate it. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Girls' Mom Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Could a cat have sprayed near a door or window? Have any ammonia based products in the house that could be open or accidentally mixed with something else? Bring any new books in? (I ask because my dh "inherited" a bunch of books from a friend that had way too many cats, and those books STINK even after months of being in a tub with coffee and baking soda and fabric softener! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I think wet carpet smells like cat pee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Various animals that spray can make that kind of musky smell: foxes, all types of cats, skunks, muskrats, perhaps wood rats, ferrets..... Bat droppings in walls might also make such a smell. Could you possibly have some sort of critter in your attic or the eaves of your house or somewhere like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee22 Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 On Monday I discovered a leak in the roof of our storage area because I smelled what I thought was dog pee on my son's carpet....maybe you have some water damage?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I'd guess an unseen leak or a dead mouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieC Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Stinky, damp workout clothes smell like cat pee so if anyone left a gym bag around, that could be the culprit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in AL Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Wow. The other replies are interesting. I find that Junipers often smell like cat pee (yet not all the time:confused:). Do you have any of those near an open window? I second the cat spray outside your house..... a cat kept spraying our front door and when the wind was blowing, it came in despite closed doors and windows the same way a skunk smell does. Oh, has your ac/heat been on? Check around your unit outside.... a friend had skunks near hers and their general musky odor was wafting into her house through the ducts. I hope you find what's causing it..... that is one horrid smell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowfall Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I think boxwoods smell like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvnlattes Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Stinky, damp workout clothes smell like cat pee so if anyone left a gym bag around, that could be the culprit. :iagree: Also, soccer cleats that have gotten wet. Even if they're dry now but have been pretty wet in the past, they'll stink. I've sat down on the garage step to put on my tennis shoes and I'll think some cat must have come in and sprayed. Then I realize I'm sitting right by wet soccer cleats. Pee-uw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 My fleece slippers start to smell of cat pee if I don't wash them often enough. It took me ages to work out what this smell was that I could smell at bedtime, when I put my head on my pillow and thereby brought it closer to my slippers. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraciebytheBay Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Just a thought - there are some bushes outside our dr.'s office that smell exactly like cat pee! Could it be as simple as an open window?? That would be a nice easy fix.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Freon - like from a freezer or ac unit? To me, it smells sort of like cat pee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Paperwhites (Narcissus) smell just like that to me. I can't stand to have them in the house. Sometimes basil will have an off-odor, too, if I have it indoors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Basil, especially if there are flowers dropping their pollen/seeds. I'd think plants in general. Follow your nose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asta Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Does everyone smell the pee or just you? a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WagsWife Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 :iagree: Also, soccer cleats that have gotten wet. Even if they're dry now but have been pretty wet in the past, they'll stink. :lol: I was getting ready to post about soccer cleats!!! I was trying to figure out how a cat got into our van one time...then we found DD's cleats :ack2: Another thing around here that has that kind of smell, are Eucalyptus trees! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prudent Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I think irises smell like cat pee. I also think some newspapers do. It's only a certain kind of newsprint & ink combo, and the odor comes out if the paper's sat on your porch a couple hours before coming in the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa B Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I think those really large plastic playsets smell like cat pee - especially when they are kept inside a closed room. For example, any of these: http://www.step2.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle l Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Yes to wet carpet, boxwood, athletic shoes, and plastic playsets!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I'd guess an unseen leak or a dead mouse. Or even live mice. Their pee is very strong and if you have mice it is never just one. I used to have just two pet mice and the smell was unbearable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Does everyone smell the pee or just you? a Yes, important question. If you are the only person that smells it, it is a possible precursor to a migraine or an indication of other medical problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sun Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Wow. The other replies are interesting. I find that Junipers often smell like cat pee (yet not all the time:confused:). Do you have any of those near an open window? Thank you for saying this! I often find this too, but the people I'm with don't seem able to smell it. To me, walking past a juniper bush is very unpleasant, and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks it smells like cat pee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 Yes, important question. If you are the only person that smells it, it is a possible precursor to a migraine or an indication of other medical problem. Two of my sons can smell a "bad smell"; the other can't. So I guess I'm safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 Whoa! Who knew so many things smell like cat pee! Thanks for all the things to investigate. My guess, based on the possibilities offered, is that with 4 boys, someone left something wet hiding somewhere... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asta Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Two of my sons can smell a "bad smell"; the other can't. So I guess I'm safe! Then the other one is lucky! a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Could you possibly have some sort of critter in your attic or the eaves of your house or somewhere like that? Or in a crawlspace under your house? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 That's a thought....not a pleasant one.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in AL Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Thank you for saying this! I often find this too, but the people I'm with don't seem able to smell it. To me, walking past a juniper bush is very unpleasant, and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks it smells like cat pee! Sometimes I don't notice it, but most of the time I do. The city (state?) has TONS of junipers as landscaping along the off ramps of the interstate that runs through town and every time I drive by I gag. :ack2: Whoa! Who knew so many things smell like cat pee! Thanks for all the things to investigate. My guess, based on the possibilities offered, is that with 4 boys, someone left something wet hiding somewhere... I hope you find the source. I never knew so many things smelled like cat pee. I had forgotten about the soccer shoes.... definitely check for those!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alliet801 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 A friend of mine bought a house, and she realized later that there was a stubborn cat urine odor in many rooms. She cleaned everything and tore out the carpets but it was still there. She ended up trying a CritterZone air purifier and that took care of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 This is a riot. I have to know the source of the mystery smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 A neighborhood cat sprayed one of my crawlspace vents and it made my laundry room smell like cat pee. Spraying the spot with vinegar solved the problem. Also, certain types of lavender smell like cat pee to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jujsky Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Could it be a child? Wasn't someone's kid here peeing in the heating vents at one time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thea Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Fresh basil. I swear it smells like cat pee. Yuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countrygal Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 dead mice!! probably in your wall. Sorry, I didn't read the other posts first. That's just the first thing I thought of. Rancid!! But it'll go away in a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 This is a riot. I have to know the source of the mystery smell. :iagree: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 The original post is from 2010. I think she's probably either found the source or moved by now! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbeygurl4 Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I have to add my 2 cents :D My dd had some kind of peach body spray that smelled so much like cat pee that when she sprayed it I spent 30 minutes sniffing carpeting. Needless to say I made her throw it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyCrazyMama Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 The original post is from 2010. I think she's probably either found the source or moved by now! :D I didn't notice as I was reading. What an odd thread to get bumped.:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted October 31, 2012 Author Share Posted October 31, 2012 The original post is from 2010. I think she's probably either found the source or moved by now! :D Yep! This revival thread is quite funny, actually. I don't even remember if we ever located the source of the smell or if it just went away. Apparently one cannot edit a post a year old, or I would just do so. No crystal meth labs. I live in a rural neighborhood (wooded, lots of space between houses) and it's kind of funny thinking of my next door neighbor who's been my friend since we were roomies in college (we're in our 50s now), over there cookin' somethin' up. On the other side, is a sweet couple in their 80s. Nah, don't think so. No one else around! As I said a year ago, though, who knew there were so many things that smelled like cat pee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Well, has the house been yours for a long time? Cat pee can be "reignited" when you get moisture... from even the subfloor :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2jjka Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Our junipers drive me crazy. We have several in our backyard, and some days I just can't stand to have the windows open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrixieB Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Stinky, damp workout clothes smell like cat pee so if anyone left a gym bag around, that could be the culprit. :iagree: That's definitely the culprit in our house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Whoa! Who knew so many things smell like cat pee! Thanks for all the things to investigate. My guess, based on the possibilities offered, is that with 4 boys, someone left something wet hiding somewhere... I think you have your answer. I could NOT find the source of an odor once, the ENTIRE house smelled (all open concept) and I could not locate the source for days. Then I walked past ds20's room. :svengo: smelled like a dead body! (nothat I've ever smelled one!). It was his slippers! Then another time my car smelled so bad I was CERTAIN something was spoiling inside it. It was ds20's shoes. They went right into a dumpster. Ds20 is a wonderful person, and a very clean person. But did his feet STINK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbeygurl4 Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I didn't notice as I was reading. What an odd thread to get bumped.:tongue_smilie: Oops :blushing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest badalou Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 I personally am thankful this was still up as my home reeks of cat urine and I don't have a single pet in the home. However I did clean my carpets over the weekend so ding ding ding. I think those of you who mentioned wet carpets hit the nail on the head. This isn't the first time I have smelled this in my home and can't completely explain that because it is a first for cleaning the carpets but it also was never this strong before either. All I can say now is Lord please let these carpets dry at maximum speed. I hate the smell of cat urine and find completely embarrassing and offensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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