We love our furry friends and like to think that we’ve trained them well, but no matter how well potty trained your dog might be, accidents happen, on rugs more often than not.

So why do dogs pee on our rugs?

Well, if they’re a puppy still in the potty-training process, it could require a lot of time and patience to get them to that point of where they no longer go on the rug. If your dog is older and suffering from bladder inconsistency, that could factor into why. Even dogs with dementia might forget their home training. Last, if they’re peeing on the same spot on your rug, you likely didn’t entirely remove the smell from prior accidents. Note: If your young, potty-trained dog keeps peeing on the rug, check with a vet to rule out diabetes, urinary tract issues, kidney disease, or Cushing’s syndrome.

What can you do when your dog pees on your rug?

The key is to get to it quick! Rug fibers absorb liquids, so it is vital that you soak up the urine with a thick layer of paper towels or a clean rag. This prevents the urine from seeping deeper into the layers of the rug, making it harder to remove later. Dog urine is also very acidic and may cause a wide range of problems, such as discoloration of the rug’s colors, unpleasant odors, or even a lasting stain if it goes undetected for a while.

Here are our favorite ways to get dog urine out of a rug:

1. Paper Towel & Dish Soap

Squeeze a few drops of dish soap and water onto the spot and blot it. Note: Don’t rub it back and forth! Doing this can push the urine deeper into the fibers.

2. Baking Soda & Vinegar

Pet urine often smells like ammonia, so we use vinegar to neutralize it. Baking soda is also excellent for eliminating stubborn odors, too! Pour baking soda onto the spot and let it sit overnight. In the morning, pour white vinegar over the baking soda and let it sit up for up to ten minutes. Dab it with a cloth. When the area dries, vacuum rug to remove any excess baking soda. Note: After the area has been neutralized, you can finish it with dish soap. Scrub the spot with warm water and dish soap to prevent any stains.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Pour peroxide into a spray bottle, soak the stain with a few sprays, then let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes. Blot with a clean cloth.

4. Enzymes

Enzymatic cleaners are best for removing dried dog urine stains because the proteins break down the chemical components of the urine and dissolve it. You can buy an over-the-counter store brand. Simply spray onto the stain and let it work its magic! Note: Make sure to read the label carefully and test in an inconspicuous area first. Be sure to choose a cleaner that is effective and safe for your pets!

5. Buy or Rent a Carpet Cleaner

If you have a pet stain that is super set-in, spray cleaners alone might not be enough. You can buy or rent a carpet cleaner from your local hardware store to give your rug a deep clean.

6. Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaner

Cleaning an area rug on your own can be tricky. Incorrectly cleaning urine from a rug can lead to permanent stains, foul odors, and repeat accidents. If you’re struggling to get urine stains or odors out of your rug, then contact the professionals at Safe-Dry Carpet Cleaning, the premier area rug cleaners of Spring Hill, with over 30 years’ experience in the carpet cleaning business!

Preventing More Accidents

Once you’ve cleaned the area, do try to make it as uninviting and inaccessible to your furry best friend as possible. Encourage them to use the designated restroom with positive reinforcement. According to the Humane Society, your dog might return to the “accident zone” if it still picks up traces of its scent. You can make the area unavailable by placing furniture on top of the rug. Use dog diapers as an alternative, if necessary, until you figure out a permanent solution. It’s also wise to keep them out of the room until you have vacuumed or cleaned up all of the product. Should your dog come into contact with said product, we recommend washing their paws with mild soap and water to avoid skin irritation. If they inhale the carpet cleaner, it could result in a mild upset stomach or respiratory irritation, which could lead to sneezing, coughing, or runny nose. However, proper use of carpet cleaning products should not cause harm or injury to your pets!