Accidents are inevitable, regardless of how well-trained your companion is to use the restroom; more often than not, they occur on rugs and carpets. These simple guidelines will also recommend safe and effective cleaning products for cleaning pet urine from the carpets. Additionally, gain insight into how you can collaborate with your companion to prevent future accidents.
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What causes my dog or cat to pee on the carpet?
There are numerous potential causes for your pet’s infrequent bowel movements indoors. In the course of potty training your kitten or puppy, the occurrence of inconvenient incontinence should not come as an absolute shock. House training is a process that demands considerable patience and time. If the situation becomes increasingly unmanageable, however, it is advisable to seek the guidance of a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist.
Aging can also cause bladder inconsistencies in certain animals. For instance, canines afflicted with dementia might inadvertently neglect their house training and mistake your carpet for an outdoor urinal. If, however, your young, potty-trained companion continues to defecate on the mat, another factor may be at play. Consult your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could cause bladder incontinence, such as diabetes, urinary tract problems, kidney disease, or Cushing’s syndrome.
Lastly, if your companion continues to defecate in the same location on your carpet, the odor from previous accidents is likely still present. If your dog or cat can still detect their fragrance, you run the risk of a recurrence of the incident. Hence, you must ensure that the odor has vanished.
However, fortunately, cleaning pet urine from your carpet is a relatively easy task when executed appropriately.
The Pet Stain Cleaning Tools You’ll Need
Ensure you have all the necessary cleaning supplies to clean your rug or carpet with appropriate hygiene in mind before you begin scrubbing.
- Rubber gloves
- Paper towel
- Distilled white vinegar
- Empty spray bottle
- Baking soda
- Dish sponge
- Trash can nearby
Read More: How to Clean a Dog Bed
Cleaning Pet Urine from the Carpets and Rugs in 5 Easy Steps
“For optimal results, tend to and treat any stain as soon as possible,” advises Chris Albers, marketing director of the stain-removal product company Carbona.
The subsequent procedures will facilitate the efficient removal of urine stains from the carpet, ensuring the absence of any residual material:
1. Soak Up the Urine
Blot the stain with a substantial layer of paper towel in order to eliminate the maximum amount of moisture.
2. Apply Distilled White Vinegar and Water
White distilled vinegar is the household remedy of choice for removing pet urine traces. “Spray a solution of diluted vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio onto the stain,” advises Better Homes and Gardens online senior associate home editor Caitlin Sole. Sole adds that to ensure the vinegar is safe for your area rug or carpet, conduct a spot test in a small corner or other concealed area.
3. Let It Sit
After applying, allow the vinegar to remain for a short while prior to blotting it dry. If required, repeat in order to eliminate aromas.
4. Ensure That All Odors Are Gone
Baking soda is an exceptional ingredient for permanently eliminating aromas that defy elimination. “Sprinkle it on your rug or carpet as needed, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes or longer for set-in odors,” Sole recommends. For optimal results, the editor, who possesses a Great Pyrenees, will occasionally let the baking soda sit overnight.
5. Vacuum
After the affected area has dried, vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove any remaining baking soda and verify that the stain has vanished completely.
How to Handle Old or Seriously Stubborn Pee Stains
While it would be ideal to capture your pet in the act, instances may arise where the discovery of a urine stain on your carpet takes days to materialize. Using an over-the-counter enzyme-based cleaner that eliminates cat and dog urine stains and neutralizes odors to prevent pets from returning to the area for additional incidents may be necessary in such a scenario.
The most important safety precaution regarding the use of any carpet cleaning product is to ensure that the carpet is completely dry before reintroducing your companion to the space. “This will aid in mitigating the potential for gastrointestinal distress or skin irritation,” advises Tina Wismer, DVM, Senior Director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
“Proper use of carpet deodorizing products should not cause significant harm or injury to pets,” according to her. “Should your pet accidentally come in contact with the freshly applied product, we recommend washing the paws with mild soap and water to avoid minor skin irritation.”
Wismer states that inhaling carpet cleaner by a dog or cat may cause minor respiratory irritation and a mildly disturbed stomach, which may manifest as symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose. “That’s why it’s a good idea to keep pets out of the room until after you have vacuumed up all of the product,” according to her.
Thereforele suggests treating urine odors in carpets with a wet/dry vacuum for those that are particularly persistent. These can be especially useful when it comes to cleaning cat urine, which can be especially difficult.
Should one opt for the vacuum option, a variety of models designed specifically for pets are readily accessible on the market. Although certain models are quite expensive, it is generally possible to rent one of these vacuums in case of an unforeseen catastrophe. Sole says they are exceptionally effective at eliminating strong pet urine odors and stains.