[exDM69]

But that's just gross neglect. As a cat owner, I have to deal with the occasional pee on the floor and there are specialized detergents that are very effective in getting rid of the smell.

You do get desensitized to the smell, though. The first time cleaning the litter box I almost vomited, these days it's a mild inconvenience at most. When I get guests, I'll clean the litter box as a precaution, someone else's nose might think the smell is horrible but I'd barely notice it (I don't ever let it get that bad).

I do get the point from a landlord's point of view, though. Why take the risk if there are other tenants who don't carry that.

Although I think it should be negotiable with a larger deposit rather than flat out refusal. Pets increase the quality of life.

[webignition]

Yes, I absolutely agree.

My comments from the perspective of a landlord weren't intended to generalise pet owners.

I own two cats (although I suspect they actually own me) and have previously rented houses and have offered a per-cat additional deposit in cases where landlords were adamant.

One of my cats is easily stressed out which can lead to uninary tract infections and which may have contributed to her chronic irritable bowel syndrome.

Both conditions (the former intermittent, the latter constant) can result in unexpected indoor urination and surprise vomiting.

Cleaning up either is perfectly achievable given the correct care and attention.

Despite being exposed over many years to a variety of cat by-products, I still haven't grown accustomed to the smell of cat urine such that I could ignore it. Sometimes I wish I could!

[erroneousfunk]

I made a post about this, above, but I would argue that urine isn't always possible to completely clean in some situations. We lived in a place with a carpet and a thick pad under the carpet. Combined with a cat that spontaneously decided to habitually urinate in that one spot (no history of it). We tried EVERYTHING -- it was a massive project for over a year to get her to stop and spent hundreds of dollars on cleaning. Every enzyme product and shampoo, hours of elbow grease, soaking, drying, re-soaking, re-drying. We caught it as soon as it happened, gave LOTS of care and attention, but no dice.

Even the most responsible owners with the best pets can have problems that can't be fixed without just replacing the entire carpet. It happens.

[dTal]

Sometimes with latrine animals like cats and rabbits it's better to just give in and put the damn litterbox in the spot they've picked.