Is there a home remedy to remove urine smell from carpet that also deters pets from marking that spot again?

Since urine contains ammonia-related compounds, I recommend avoiding cleaners that contain ammonia. Diluted vinegar and water often help. Dilute one part plain white vinegar with two to three parts water. I soak the spot with the mix and blot up after about one minute. This also can help with stains, although OxiClean works well for this.

More important, can you prevent your pet from urinating on the carpet? Is this a behavior problem that needs to be addressed? Can the pet be prevented from using the room with the carpeting that is serving as a bathroom? Addressing this issue can prevent you from having to deal with urine odors and stains.

Dear Readers:

Recently, I discussed how some over-the-counter flea-control products were causing side effects in cats. Complaints from pet owners included minor problems such as skin irritation or hair loss at the application site to more severe effects such as tremors, seizures and sometimes death.

Update: The EPA has persuaded Hartz Mountain Corp. to enact measures to reduce potential risks to pets from using these products.

Hartz has stopped selling Hartz Advanced Care brand Flea and Tick Drops Plus for Cats and Kittens and Hartz Advanced Care brand Once-a-Month Flea and Tick Drops for Cats and Kittens. The company is recalling these products and will repackage its existing stock of the pesticides.

The relabeled products will include stronger precautionary statements and use directions and will direct users to consult with a veterinarian before putting these products on debilitated, aged, medicated, pregnant or nursing animals, or animals known to be sensitive to pesticides. The labels will advise that cats should be monitored after application of the products.

There are numerous natural products available, so I don’t see any reason for using over-the-counter flea-control products. I advise my clients to use flea-control products on an as-needed basis. I see too many pets taking monthly flea control year round; there is no medical indication for this. By using the products seasonally when fleas are likely to be a problem, owners can reduce pet care costs and won’t have to administer chemicals to their pets more than is absolutely necessary.

— Shawn P. Messonnier is a veterinarian and pet care advocate.