How to un-peppermint a litter box?

July 12, 2008 8:23 AM

Like an idiot, I cleaned my litterbox with peppermint-scented cleaner. Now one of my cats will not use it. How do I get the peppermint scent out?

I used a Method-brand bathroom cleaner on my dirtier-than-usual litterbox. It was pepperminty. I use liners on top of the box, so I didn't really think about the smell affecting him. I know this was stupid, and one of my cats has been proving it to me daily by using the shower stall/bathmat instead.

Thursday I tried re-cleaning the entire thing with vinegar water, as it is known to get rid of odors (after the vinegar smell wears off). Either he's still traumatized or this did not work, as he still prefers the shower stall. I have also tried re-introducing him to the area, to show him that it doesn't smell like peppermint anymore. He still acts terrified of the entire idea of using the box. He walked around in the box when I originally cleaned it out, but when I try to put him in it, he reacts negatively and I have to stop immediately to not make it worse, and, of course, still won't actually use it.

Is there anything else I can use to neutralize the odor or peppermint (and now, possibly, vinegar)? Or do I just need to buy a new litterbox?

(I know that you should always get a cat to the vet when it stops using the litter box. I can't get an appointment until late next week, so I am trying to fix what I think is the problem in the meantime, as he seems to be actually using the bathroom fine and doesn't seem to be producing anything unusual. If I can't fix it, I'll keep the vet appointment.)

posted by starbaby to pets & animals (10 comments total)

I don't think you need a vet. And the ca tboxes are pretty damn cheap. Much cheaper than a vet.

This said, take anything the cat produces and drops in the shower stall, and drop them in the box. One he starts smelling himself in the area, not as much trauma.

You often have to do this with a new box as well.
posted by cjorgensen at 8:32 AM on July 12, 2008

Try putting baking soda in the box; it's known to neutralize odors.
posted by runningwithscissors at 8:39 AM on July 12, 2008

agreeing with cjorgensen. Unless you have some super duper awesome cat box, just go get a new one.
posted by kimdog at 8:41 AM on July 12, 2008

If you've got one of the great pet urine-odor cleaners like "Anti Ickypoo" on hand, you might try that, but they would be more expensive to go out and buy than a new cat pan. most deodorizers like Lysol and scented house cleaning fluids are likely to simply add their own cloying smell to the peppermint, unfortunately.
posted by aught at 8:54 AM on July 12, 2008

Litter boxes are cheap. I'd strongly suggest just buying a new one. You may have to place it in your bathroom to start, if he associates the current location of the box with the peppermint. In addition, you may think the box doesn't smell like peppermint any more, but cats have a keener sense of smell.

So:

1) Get a new box
2) Air out the old litterbox area as much as possible, in case peppermint is still lingering in the air.
3) Try the new box in the old area.
4) If the cat is still wary, put the box in your bathroom (not your shower stall) until he uses it. Then start moving the box bit by bit every day until it's back in the old area.
posted by maudlin at 9:16 AM on July 12, 2008

Huh, I always clean the catboxes with peppermint soap, and they haven't objected yet.

Anyway, to add to the advice above, make sure you scrub the shower stall with something anti-cat pee-ish, or your cat will probably continue to use it. They pee where they smell pee, and if they smell pee in the shower...
posted by restless_nomad at 9:23 AM on July 12, 2008

For sure use peppermint to clean where they've been going on your bathroom. Not every cat hates it, but yours sure do...


I would just buy a new cat pan, or else use 1) apple cider vinegar 2) bleach to get the smell out. HOWEVER my cat hates neither substance, so I wouldn't take my advice if it's scared shitless of bleach or vinegar residue.
posted by shownomercy at 11:15 AM on July 12, 2008

There's a phermone-based liquid out there called, I believe, "Cat Attract." You can get it at Petsmart. After you've tried some baking soda under the liners, then spray with this.

And what cjorgensen said. Poop has its own special peppermint-eliminating odor!

But unless you've gone one of them fancy lidded door-swingin' igloo-shaped litterboxes, I think you'd spend more on the spray than on the pan. And more effort.
posted by GardenGal at 12:41 PM on July 12, 2008

I would buy a new litterbox.. If he still doesn't use it there's this special litter called "Cat Attract" that is supposedly guaranteed to make your cat's use it...

Good luck!

(PS, Does anybody know HOW to get your money back for that litter? I have a naughty cat that even that litter doesn't help)
posted by majikstreet at 2:24 PM on July 12, 2008

Get a new litterbox for the cats to use while you set this one outside for a few days. Fresh air and the sun should get the smell out.
posted by qvtqht at 4:10 PM on July 16, 2008