Cat owners know that the smell of cat urine is a difficult odor to treat. Male cats often mark their territory by spraying throughout the house. Both female and male cats can also urinate as a form of expressing displeasure or competing with rival cats. If you notice cat urine, be sure your cat is not ill or experiencing litter box problems. Although there are methods to keep your cat from destructive peeing, you can limit potential damage by selecting surfaces that will withstand cat urine.
Plastic laminate
Laminated cabinets are made by adhering a thin film of plastic to the outside surface of the material. Interiors are often left unlaminated, but if your cat urinates inside the cabinet, it might be worth considering a custom design with laminate on both outer and inner areas. Plastic laminate leaves surfaces waterproof and nonabsorbent. As such, this type of cabinet is often seen in medical examining rooms. Because of the synthetic material, you can find plastic laminate in a variety of colors and patterns to create a look that will match your decor.
Quartz
Quartz, or cultured stone, countertops offer the look of natural stone, yet do not require special sealant to be waterproof. The slick, uniform surface is easy to clean should your cat leave puddles on countertops. Quartz is also naturally stain-resistant. If you desire the look of natural stone, cultured stone can be an attractive choice for cat owners. Because it is not a natural stone, quartz can be custom-designed to include your favorite colors and shades.
Metal
Stainless steel cabinets are an attractive choice for kitchens and bathrooms. This classic look offers cat owners an easy-to-clean surface that is also naturally antibacterial. Metal countertops offer a variety of patinas, such as stainless steel, copper, pewter and zinc. Although metal countertops are stain-resistant, if they are dented or scratched they can be more costly to replace than laminate or quartz.
Covers
In addition to making sure cabinet surfaces are as resistant as possible, you also can cover surfaces for further protection. Thick towels can absorb urine and keep it from soaking into furnishings. Cats also will avoid surfaces covered in materials that they dislike. Try wrapping cabinets with aluminum foil if you will be out of the house for a few days at a time. Cats also will avoid sticky surfaces, such as sticky paper or double-sided tape.
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Writer Bio
Chloe Newkirk is a writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has been a freelance writer for over five years, and written for a variety of publications. She is a graduate of St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. Her areas of expertise include crafts, pop culture, the arts, pets, American history and food.