We found the “Carpet Shopping for Pets” Checklist to make carpet work for your home.

Here is the checklist:

1. Stain resistance and durability

Advancements in manufacturing technology have made carpets better than ever. New product features allow carpet to hold up to the toughest wear from pets and humans. Stain resistance and durability are the most important features when shopping around for carpet for your pets.

2. Carpet fiber 

There are a number of different fibers to choose from in today’s flooring marketplace, many of which are designed to perform well with a pet in the house. The experts at your local flooring specialty store have the knowledge and experience to help you decide on what’s right for you.

3. Use colors and patterns strategically

Colors and patterns might seem like a strange consideration to make in this situation, but the right color and pattern can help hide soil and pet hair. Try to match the color of carpet with the hair color of your pet(s).

4. Cut piles are a better fit than loop piles

Loop piles can present two problems for pets. The first is that claws can get stuck in the loops and make for an unhappy pet. The second is that a dog or cat can rip up the loops in the carpet. Both of these problems are averted with cut pile carpet.

The following advice was also on the checklist:

Pet-friendly carpet is here to stay, we love our pets and we love lying on the floor with them. With your gorgeous carpet installed, vacuum regularly with a Carpet and Rug Institute-approved model to keep carpet looking newer, longer.

These tips make a great home with carpet for you and your pets.

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The experts advise owners to be patient and stay upbeat and, armed with a little knowledge and the right cleaning products, the process will go a lot easier.

Here are the tips:

1. Know Potty Triggers

Triggers are typically feelings of excitement, like when visitors arrive, and particular times of day, like after he wakes up or right before bed. Puppies will need to go after eating and/or drinking – usually within 15 minutes.

2. Establish a Routine

Find a designated “potty patch” outdoors so your dog can associate that space with doing his business. Start by leash walking the pup to that spot so he can focus before spending any time playing.

Consider keeping him on a leash inside too. If he starts to squat to urinate, clap or make a sharp sound that will stop him in the act. You can transfer him outside to finish and praise him there.

Give them a treat when they go potty outside – that reinforces the good behavior right then and there. Praise them with a happy tone of voice.

3. Avoid Indoor Accidents

Puppies will need to go outside every one or two hours. It’s the owner’s responsibility to provide plenty of time outdoors, otherwise if left unattended for extended periods; a puppy will find a place to piddle.

Close exists to other rooms with doors or baby gates so the puppy can’t explore the unused parts of the house.

4. Clean Messes Immediately

It’s important to remove both the stain and the odor so puppy won’t use the spot as a scent marker for future accidents. Start by blotting or scooping to remove as many solids or liquids as possible. Then treat the mess with a pet stain and odor remover that has the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Seal of Approval. Each certified product that features the national trade association’s seal goes through rigorous testing in an independent laboratory, so you can be confident you’re treating the stain, removing the odors, and protecting the integrity of your carpet.

If your carpet becomes deeply soiled from multiple accidents and dirty little puppy paws, you may want to consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner. For those with allergies, frequent vacuuming and regularly-scheduled cleaning will remove virtually all embedded allergens and pet dander. Certified CRI Seal of Approval service providers have the experience needed to treat stains, remove odors and leave carpet looking like new.

5. Spay or Neuter

Unneutered dogs typically urinate more in the house as an action of marking their territory, so it’s something every caring pet parent should consider. Follow your veterinarian’s instructions for the right time to spay or neuter your dog.

And enjoy your new puppy!

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To treat urine spot damaged areas, blot damp areas as soon as the urine is detected with plain white paper toweling. Apply a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent (nonbleach and non-lanolin) with one cup of lukewarm water, by saturating paper towels and blotting. Do not use automatic dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent. Then, absorb the moisture with a paper towel, 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 to the toweling or improvement in the spot. Follow the detergent application with a solution of one cup white vinegar to two cups water and blot dry. Apply a half-inch layer of paper towels to the affected area and weight down with a flat, heavy, non-fading object. Continue to change the paper towels frequently until the carpet is completely dry.

Urine can affect the dyes used in carpet, although not all occurrences will result in a permanent stain. Success is dependent upon the content of the urine, the dyes, and any treatments applied to the carpet during manufacturing, the finish used, and the time elapsed after the deposit. Some urine spots may be immediately noticeable, while others may take weeks or months for a reaction. The dyes may change color immediately after contact with urine.

When urine spots develop slowly and are noticed after much time has elapsed, the dyes and carpet fibers may be permanently damaged. In beige carpet, blue dyes are attacked by pet urine, leaving behind the red and yellow dyes with a resulting stain appearing red, yellow, or orange.

Pet urine, left unattended, can damage carpet in several ways. Moisture can weaken the bond between the layers of the carpet, allowing separation or delamination of the backing material to separate. Seam areas can be particularly vulnerable to damaged and can separate.

Another problem, especially with cat urine, is the odor. Unless the cat urine can be completely removed, complete odor removal is unlikely. A number of products are available to combat odor, but some may simply mask the odor, and, in times of high humidity, the odor may reappear. Enzyme-based treatments are available at pet stores, veterinarian offices or other retail stores. (Refer to the CRI website www.carpet-rug.org for approved Pet Stain and Odor Removal products in the Seal of Approval Program)

Some carpet manufacturers have developed backings that resist spills and even prevent the spillage from penetrating the carpet into the carpet cushion and, perhaps, the subfloor. Check with your carpet dealer about these products.

See the complete version of the Carpet and Rug Institute Technical Bulletin on Pet Urine and Carpet.

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