If you have a dog then there’s no doubt you will have wondered how to protect carpet from dog urine – but worry not.
Our best advice is to use a carpet cover – or stain-resistant carpet – alongside a regular cleaning routine in order to keep your carpet protected from dog urine.
Of course, it would be great if all dogs were house-trained but it can become more of an issue, especially in older dogs, and so we’ve decided to write this guide to give you the best advice and tips.
Let’s jump right in with our 7 best tips.
1. Use A Carpet Cover
It might seem obvious at first, but the best way to be sure that your carpet isn’t being damaged by dog urine is to cover the carpet’s surface using a cover.
For a temporary cover, there are plenty of vinyl sheets that are pretty cheap and can be easily placed onto the surface of your carpet to provide protection from uring. We completely understand that this will not look the most aesthetically pleasing, but if your carpet needs to be protected at all costs then this is the way.
Another way to cover your carpet is by using a rug. If there’s a particular spot your dog likes to pee on then you can cover that area with a rug.
The downside to this is that not all of your carpet will be covered and there’s a good chance the urine will seep through to your carpet anyway if you aren’t quick to clean it up. A rug is obviously more expensive as well but if you have an old one laying around this method can be great.
2. Consider Stain-Resistant Carpet
Lot’s of people don’t know but you can actually buy carpets that are treated before you buy them to make them more resistant to stains and spillages.
Although dog urine is a particularly strong fluid a stain-resistant carpet is a great option if you are unable to cover your carpet using either a cover or rug. Working very similar to a carpet protection spray, a stain-resistant carpet will usually have better resistance to stains and should reduce the amount of urine that your carpet will absorb significantly.
This is quite the investment however but is a good option if you are looking to replace a previously damaged carpet and are still likely to have a dog urine issue to deal with.
3. Clean Any Urine Straight Away
Pretty obvious, right?
It’s a lot easier said than done to clean any urine straight away but you should always be conscious if you are in the same room as your dog to be mindful if they urinate on the carpet.
The reason we’ve included this tip is that as soon as dog urine settles into a carpet it becomes very difficult to remove without a deep clean. Therefore, if you want to protect your carpet then blot any urine marks as soon as you notice them – the sooner the better in this case.
4. Use Dog Nappies
Dog nappies are a lifesaver if your dog is experiencing incontinence. Not only are they cheap, but they’re actually really well-designed to be comfortable for the dog to wear – there are even specific designs depending on the gender of your dog!
The downside is that your dog will have to get used to them, and sometimes they might even end up rejecting them completely. This method relies heavily on the personality of your dog, but we always recommend giving them a shot as they are probably the cheapest way to get complete protection from urine.
We personally love these diapers from Simple Solution.
5. Use Carpet Stain Protection Spray
Stain repellent spray is actually quite common and provides a slightly less effective protective layer than a stain-resistant carpet.
The major benefit here is that you don’t have to invest in an entirely new carpet; all you have to do is buy a cheap bottle of the spray instead. Our advice is to use it on the major spots where your dog is likely to urinate to provide that extra bit of protection.
A spray can only do so much though, so we don’t advise relying on this method entirely to protect your carpet. – it’s more of an extra precaution you can take.
6. Keep Your Dog Away From The Carpet
Another obvious one, but if you only have carpet in certain rooms of the house then you can always consider keeping your dogs out of those areas.
This works particularly well if you have wood or tiles in your kitchen, preferable with access to the garden from there. This way your dog won’t cause too much of an issue if they do happen to urinate, and they are always close to the door to make their way out if they need to.
If your dog is a companion you can always bring a rug and let them sleep next to you if you want to sit in another room that has carpet!
7. Have Regular Professional Cleans
To round this list off we’ve included the most boring, but also probably sensible, advice.
You should really have your carpet professionally cleaned once per year, as this is a great way to make your carpet not only last longer but keep it looking fresh for long periods of time.
A professional clean will remove most urine stains with ease, depending on how long they have been on your carpet. If the stains have been present for a long period of time then it might be worth replacing your carpet and underlay completely depending on the damage underneath.
A professional cleaner will make sure that not only the stains are removed, but also the bacteria that is produced from urine as well. This will ensure both the stains and the smell are both removed, leaving your carpet looking like brand new.
What Problems Does Dog Urine Cause With Carpet?
Dog urine is composed of water, urea, uric acid and other chemicals.
When the urine first leaves the body it is acidic, but the longer dog urine stays on your carpet the more time it has to turn into an alkaline stain. This happens due to bacteria that feeds on the urine itself producing ammonia as a by-product.
But what exactly does this mean for your carpet?
Not only will your carpet fibres lose colour over time due to the bacteria, but the smell of urine will not shift unless you remove both the stain and the bacteria. Furthermore, if the urine makes it way under the carpet other bacterias can grow which can lead to mold and mildew.
Frequently Asked Questions
When we researched this topic we found that there were many questions regarding dog urine and carpets specifically that people were asking, so we’ve decided to round them up here.
If you have any other questions you would like to see added then don’t hesitate to let us know here!
What Product Do Professional Carpet Cleaners Use For Pet Urine?
Depending on the amount of time between the urine first entering the carpet and the professional cleaning appointment will determine what product the cleaner will use.
Typically, they will either use a disinfectant, bio enzyme or oxygenation method which will let them choose the correct cleaner.
Does Scotchguard Work On Pet Urine?
Scotchguard has a spot and stain remover that is designed specifically to clean not just dog urine, but just about any pet urine that you may encounter in your home.
So yes, Scotchguard definitely works on pet urine as long as you choose the right spray to use. They also have a protector spray that forms a protective layer on carpet to prevent further urine incidents with your pets, so it could be worth trying that as well.
We personally think using a carpet cover or a stain-resistant carpet alongside regular cleaning is the best method for keeping your carpet protected from dog urine, however,
Final Thoughts
Remember the number one thing when it comes to dog urine on your carpet is to ensure you clean it up as fast as possible. This will prevent any harmful bacteria from developing which is what causes a long term smell and degradation of the carpet fibres.
If you have any other tips you would like to see featured on this article then don’t hesitate to contact us here!