[Europan Ocean (OP)]

My mum's cat died and she wrapped it in plastic bags, and it decayed for about two days before I took it to the cremator. I wrapped it in another plastic garbage bag and put it in my boot over some plastic long term bags like school bags. The stink went into the bags and into the carpet of my boot. I threw the bags away. I tried cleaning the carpet with car cloth cleaner. It still stinks after weeks. Is there an explanation for this? And is there a cleaning chemical that can eliminate the odour?

[Bored chemist]

Sorry to hear about the cat.
There are  a bunch of products designed for this task
I'm in the fortunate position of never having tried any of them.

Google "dead animal odor eliminator" and take your pick.

[evan_au]

It still stinks after weeks. Is there an explanation for this?

Decomposition of animals produces volatile chemicals with colorful names like putrescine and cadaverine.

The human nose has specific receptors for these chemicals. There are probably very good reasons to be sensitive to these chemicals:
- If others have been killed near here, stay away or you may join them!
- In the days before refrigeration, food went "off" very quickly. Fresh food is better for you than decaying food.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadaverine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putrescine