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How to: Naturally Clean Up Pet Vomit From Carpet

053008catvomit.jpgOccasionally our cat scarfs down his kibbles so fast he doesn't properly digest his meal, undoubtedly resulting in a small pile of partially digested dinner ontop of our rug. Cleaning it fully requires some careful handling, since you don't want to press in the mess into the fabric and leave a stain...

 
 

First, use a butter knife or a spoon to pick up the bulk of the mess from ontop the carpet. By gently removing it this way you'll prevent seepage into the carpet or rug (as you don't want to compound the mess with mold growth). You'll also get rid of the most disgusting part of the mess, as feline vomit is just one notch less unpleasant than their other "business".

Follow this up by placing a towel underneath the rug and dabbing with some club soda with a drop of dish washing solution.

Gently rub/agitate the mixture using a small hand towel and rinse with 1/2 cup vinegar diluted in 1 qt warm water. Soak up excess liquid with paper towel (the reusable Trader Joe's soaking towels work well for us) and repeat until it looks clean with a bucket to squeeze-wash each time.

Expedite drying with a hair dryer on the cool setting or a fan.

To rid of any smell after the rug/carpet is all dry, we sprinkle some baking soda, allow to sit for 3-5 hours, and vacuum (the baking soda seems to help remove any stain discolouration too).

Only when the mess is larger do we resort to our wet vac, which we don't like to use it because it's loud and the rug seems to take longer to dry. We've also asked our cat Eames to properly chew his meal, and for the most part my porcine feline abides.

Of course, if you want a simple store bought solution, you can always just get serious like Abby recommends.

Tags

cleaning, pets: dogs, cats, snakes, etc., rugs & carpets, cat, dog, carpet cleaning, pet vomit

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Comments (22)

I also recommend the Nature's Miracle Carpet Cleaner. It works so well that we now actually have patches of clean carpet in the midst of the grunge. We may just spray the whole floor with it!

posted by LAmonkeygirl on 2008-05-30 19:52:28
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any suggestions for hard wood floors? my cat seems to avoid the rug and stain the hardwood instead...

posted by hahnanan on 2008-05-30 20:56:15
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Cat puke is the #1 reason why I dont have a carpet, and why I have a leather couch too!

posted by Hollie on 2008-05-30 21:00:28
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Once we shifted our kitty to 3 or 4 smaller meals a day, 'scarf and barf' episodes have become much less frequent.

posted by wig3000 on 2008-05-30 21:18:05
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My older kitty needs the smaller, more frequent meals and still has trouble keeping it down some days. She usually yaks right in front of the door where there is no rug ;)

You should be able to easily clean hardwood with a damp cloth. If there is any staining, your floors need to be resealed.

The little guy can eat anything.

posted by raven on 2008-05-30 21:34:24
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That's just gross!

posted by PlanItGirl on 2008-05-30 23:03:58
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Cat puke is the #1 reason why I don't have a CAT! (among many other reasons)

posted by rebecca326 on 2008-05-31 00:31:20
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I find Folex to be a much better cleaner than anything else for carpet. (And any stain.)

posted by Valerie on 2008-05-31 01:33:24
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You can also use foaming glass cleaner. I get the generic kind for a dollar a can at Big Lots. I have dogs, not cats, but they get upset tummies too. It also gets out coffee spills. For tougher spills I use "Hydroxy Pro Crystal Spot". It works well on my oriental rugs, too.

posted by boomer on 2008-05-31 06:36:21
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First of all: don't feed cat food that contains any foodcoloring.
My advice from experience: Let it completely dry and then use a strong vacuum cleaner.

If any stains are remaining use one of the cleaning instructions and remedies above.

If your cat vomitted on wooden parquet flooring clean it away as soon as possible. The stomach acid cauterizes the surface and makes ugly little dips. Guess why I know ...

posted by Reni on 2008-05-31 08:00:37
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I learned my cat is less likely to boot if the dish is off the floor. Big books are about the right size, and it provides a more natural position for the food to go down to their tummy. i'd probably boot too if i ate with my head pointing toward the floor.

posted by fcharli on 2008-05-31 10:00:27
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Simple Solution (get it in a spray bottle at the pet store) is the best EVER. It doesn't just remove the stain, it completely breaks down the smell with enzymes. You can use it on any surface. Great for urine smells too.

posted by dia on 2008-05-31 11:29:30
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Simple Solution Natural has worked for me where Nature's Miracle won't. They even have a special cat formula that works miracles.

posted by angellee on 2008-05-31 11:54:44
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Feed raw and this won't happen. Cats would naturally eat raw prey in the wild, that is what their systems are designed to digest. It's seriously the best diet for cats and dogs. Neither were meant to eat processed grains, which is what most commercially prepared cat foods contain. It satisfies their prey drive, keeps their teeth clean, and no more puke - I guarantee it. Plus, it's cheaper. Please look into it.

posted by Bx on 2008-05-31 13:43:42
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The biggest danger to this habit is that the cat can suck the vomit into its lungs. Aspiration of food can be dangerous.

posted by Palmetto on 2008-05-31 13:58:57
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After realising that my cats hated their canned food, I did a taste test and inadvertently left out cat food with beef in it. Wow! Hardly any feline indigestion, and even fewer hair balls from my Maine coon cat.

posted by LauraE on 2008-05-31 14:31:55
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I have a dog and a cat. Pet messes happen. I recently purchased the Bissell Spot Bot- It is a mini carpet cleaner- I love it- can't believe I have had the cat for 13 years and the dog for 2 before getting it. Its small, compact, but really helps keep the carpet and upholstery ship shape.

posted by TracyJ on 2008-06-01 22:56:31
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I seriously don't know how you guys do it. I applaud those who have pets and can keep a clean, non-stinky home.
The cleaning up after is the main reason I don't get a dog.

posted by Sleek on 2008-06-02 07:11:19
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Thanks for the suggestion about raising the food bowls, I will try that when I get home tonight!

posted by Deborah on 2008-06-02 10:31:55
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The vet at our cat shelter also recommended putting the cat food on a plate, with an empty cat food can (or other small can) in the center. This forces the cat to eat more slowly, because he/she has to eat around the can. Especially great for previously homeless, under-fed cats who have "food anxiety."

posted by gquaker on 2008-06-02 10:55:31
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TracyJ - I've been thinking about getting one of those but didn't know if they really worked. Good to hear your review.

Here's what I do - pick up the bulk of the vomit, place a paper towel over the spot and leave it to absorb the moisture and when it's completely dry I brush the crusty stuff off with a wire brush and vacuum. I have 3 cats and it's almost a daily occurrence. But, I live in a studio apt. and if you didn't actually see the cats you wouldn't know I have any. My place never smells of "cat".

posted by anne on 2008-06-02 16:55:56
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If you take the time to groom your cat, you significantly help cut down their digestion of hair, which helps prevent hairballs.

Cute article.


http://www.dcrinteriors.com

posted by DCR Interiors on 2008-06-03 00:08:21
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