No, Puppy, Not There! – Tips for Dealing with Pet Accidents
Tips for Dealing with Pet Accidents
It’s been said that no one can fully understand the meaning of true love until owning a dog. They give us a never-ending supply of unwavering devotion, steadfast loyalty and unconditional love. Your dog is your friend, your partner, your defender. And in turn, you are his life, his love, his leader.
These precious companions are the best friends anyone could have, and they want nothing more than to please us. But sometimes, even the best-trained pets will occasionally have an “accident.” Every dog owner knows what it’s like to tackle pet stains, but few realize the most effective way to treat them can be done without using any expensive carpet cleaners.
Spot Cleaning
To treat urine-damaged areas, blot damp spots as soon as they’re detected with plain white paper towels. Apply a solution of ¼ teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent (non-bleach and non-lanolin) to one cup of lukewarm water. Do not use automatic dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent. Absorb the solution with paper towels, rinse with warm water and repeat the application of detergent. Continue rinsing and blotting with the detergent solution and water as long as there is a transfer toweling or improvement in the spot.
Follow the detergent application with a solution of two (2) tablespoons of ammonia with one (1) cup of water. Rinse with warm water and repeat. Blot dry. Then blot the area with a solution of one (1) cup white vinegar to two (2) cups water and blot dry. Apply a half-inch layer of paper towels to the affected area and weigh down with a flat, heavy, non-fading object, such as a stack of large books. Continue to change out paper towels until completely dry.
Color Treatment
Often, urine will affect the dyes used in carpet, although not all occurrences will result in a permanent stain. Success depends upon the content of the urine, the dyes and finish used on the carpet, and the time elapsed after the deposit. Some spots show up instantly and the dyes might change color immediately, while others can take weeks or months to develop a visible reaction. Color can sometimes be restored by treating the area with a solution of two (2) tablespoons of clear, non-sudsy ammonia in one (1) cup of water. While this treatment is not always successful in restoring color, the ammonia can be effective in removing urine content and diminishing objectionable odors.
When urine spots develop slowly and aren’t noticed until after much time has elapsed, the dyes and carpet fibers may be permanently damaged beyond repair. In beige carpet, blue dyes are absorbed by pet urine, leaving behind the red and yellow dyes with a resulting stain appearing red, yellow or orange.
Long-Term Effects
Pet urine, left unattended, can damage carpet in several ways. Moisture can weaken the layers of the carpet, allowing separation or delamination of the backing material. Seam areas can be particularly damaged and can separate. Luckily, some carpet manufacturers have recently developed backings that resist spills and even prevent spillage from penetrating through the carpet into the cushion and the subfloor. Check with your carpet dealer about these products.
Another problem, especially with cats, is odor. Unless the cat urine can be totally removed, complete odor removal is unlikely. A number of products are available to combat odor, but most simply just mask the odor and, in times of high humidity, the odor may reappear. Some pet stores and veterinary clinics have recently begun selling highly-effective enzyme treatments for pet stains, but we advise hiring a carpet cleaning professional to apply such strong solutions. If neither stain nor odor can be effectively removed, the damaged area of the carpet can be replaced with a piece from the reserved scrap. If carpet replacement is necessary, then replacement of cushion and even subflooring may also be necessary. In such instances, it is best to consult with a professional carpet cleaner to discuss removal and replacement options.
So the next time your beloved pet has an accident, don’t be too hard on him or her. Rainbow International is available 24/7 to offer guidance in dealing with whatever carpet care issues you may have. And together, we can restore your home to be as good as new—or maybe even better.
After all, dogs will always love us in spite of our faults, and as humans we have many. We owe it to them to be worthy of such devotion.
Closing quote:
I can’t think of anything that brings me closer to tears than when my old dog — completely exhausted after a hard day in the field — limps away from her nice spot in front of the fire and comes over to where I’m sitting and puts her head in my lap, a paw over my knee, and closes her eyes, and goes back to sleep. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve that kind of friend. –Gene Hill
