It’s always a subject of confusion as to why cats puke on carpets. There are yet to be any studies supporting any claim, but it seems to be a common issue for most cat owners.
There is not one answer to this question, and cat lovers are still figuring out why this happens often. Many fur parents have theories that might explain such unusual behavior, which is what you’ll find out in this post.
Why Do Cats Puke On Carpet?
If there is one certain thing as to why cats throw up on carpets, it’s that they are not feeling well. They may treat carpets as comfortable places to rest, much like how humans love their beds when they’re sick.
Keep in mind that throwing up is not a pleasant experience for them (and for you, who will clean it up later). They are probably just looking for an area where they can feel more comfortable. Puking can also be physically challenging, so they might need a surface to sink their claws. Unfortunately, that is impossible on a bare floor, so they choose the carpet.
They don’t have the thought process to choose a place that would be easier to clean by their humans. That is why owners should never blame the cat for that behavior. Aside from the mentioned above, here are the other possible reasons why cats vomit on the carpet:
Environment
In most cases, the environment plays a significant role in the feline’s behavior. For instance, don’t be surprised to find cat puke on carpets if most of your home’s floor is carpeted.
They might also feel like the carpet is a better option to release a hairball. They usually have the instinct to bury their puke, and your carpet may resemble litter for them. Still, there’s no guarantee that this has something to do with it.
Wrong Instinct
Although cats have a reputation for being mean because of the naughty things they do at home, it doesn’t mean that they intend to spite you. There’s always a reason for their behavior, and sometimes they can’t keep it to themselves.
Cats behave out of their instincts, and it is something they cannot always control. There are times when you will be able to train them for certain things, but they cannot direct where or when they will throw up.
Looks Like Grass
Cats often have a weird obsession with grass. Some experts suggest that this is to sustain their bodies with enough fiber. It might also help with indigestion being a natural laxative, and they usually puke them alongside hairballs.
Cats may associate carpets with grass, which could be why they puke on them.
Hairball
Throwing up hairballs is a common thing for cats. This happens when their hair accumulates in their stomach after grooming, or they accidentally ingest fur from different surfaces. They usually pass through their digestive system, but they sometimes throw it up, like on your carpet.
It is essential to get them checked if this happens more often because it might be a symptom of an underlying chronic disease.
How to Clean Cat Puke On Carpet
Before you start finding out how to clean a cat throw-up on the carpet, the first thing you should do is to get your cat tested. If they have a health problem, it’s more likely to happen again. You can do a quick wellness check at home and observe their behavior.
If you notice something unusual, it’s best to bring them to a clinic to know if there are any specific complications causing them to vomit. After that, you may proceed with cleaning your precious rug.
Cleaning
When searching for ways on how to get cat puke out of the carpet, it would help if you could clean it immediately. It would not smell as much in this case since it soaks deep into the fabric.
You can clean it by using a simple vinegar and water solution. Use a spray bottle and fill it with equal parts water and vinegar. Wear gloves and remove the hair and debris before soaking the area with your solution.
Allow it to soak for a couple of minutes, then blot it with a rag or an old shirt. Try scrubbing hard to remove the stains and repeat the process as necessary. This process will also allow the odor to dissipate.
If you are not a fan of the vinegar smell, you can use some pet-safe commercial carpet cleaners.
Removing stains
Now that you know how to get cat throw up out of the carpet, it’s time to deal with the stains. You can add dish soap to the mix if your water and vinegar solution is insufficient. Soak the area with your solution, and add baking soda across the stain. Allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming. The soap and baking soda help in soaking up the stain. Repeat as necessary.
Why Do Cats Throw Up On Carpets: FAQs
As adorable as they are, most felines are terrible at handling their digestive issues. With that in mind, here are some common questions asked by other pet owners regarding cat puke.
Multiple reasons might cause cats to puke on the floor. It could be due to the following:
– Constipation
– Parasites
– Inflammatory bowel disease
– Ulcer
– Toxin ingestion
– Pancreatitis
– Liver disease
– Cancer
Take note of the color and texture of their vomit, as it might help when you get them checked later. If you are worried that they may have a particular disease, consult a vet immediately.
If your cat is experiencing frequent vomiting in your home, a change in its diet might help. You can get them to eat easily digestible and bland human foods like chicken and meat-flavored baby food. If this doesn’t help, you should bring them to a doctor and pinpoint the cause of this problem.
Throwing up is never normal, but it is a common experience for cats. If they vomit once or twice, it may be because of something they eat or the accumulation of hairballs in their stomach. Remember that vomiting more than once a week may be a symptom of something more serious, so keep track of that.
You should be concerned when your cat vomits more than three times in one day and they start looking tired all the time. Constant vomiting can cause dehydration, which can be bad for your pet. Seeing a foreign object in their vomit is also bad. There may also be an obstruction in their throat and they are trying to remove it by vomiting.
When looking for ways how to get cat vomit out of the carpet, you should start by removing as much of it using a rag, paper towel, or a knife. Spray a vinegar and water solution and let it soak. If that doesn’t help, add dish soap and baking soda to remove the stain and smell.
There are plenty of reasons why cats throw up on carpets, but the most prevalent one is that they cannot control it.
Instead of getting irritated that you have to clean up after them, you should check on your cat to see if they are sick. After all, learning how to clean cat puke from the carpet is one of the many things you should learn since this is a common thing for them.