How to Protect Area Rugs from Pet Urine? (13 Proven Ways)

The fact that pet urine can easily find its way onto expensive area rugs is a concern of many pet owners. So, how to protect area rugs from pet urine?

Some might think that protecting rugs from pet urine would be pretty straightforward, but that’s not the case. There is also the option to remove the pets, but that would also not solve the problem since other animals who come to your home can still get on your rugs.

Although your puppy or kitten may get older and accidents are less frequent, it is a never-ending task. Even though you cannot control some accidents, there is a way to reduce the frequency.

Being a pet owner, I am going to share some ways through which you can easily protect your rugs from the damage caused due to pet urine.

How to Protect Area Rugs from Pet Urine?

There are several ways to do this, many of which depend on your tolerance level. Ultimately, you’ll want to pick the option that works best with your schedule, budget, and area rug. With that in mind, here are thirteen ways to protect your area rugs from pet urine.

1. Maintain a Regular Schedule for Walking Your Pet

Pet urine is a primary culprit in causing damage to area rugs. Taking your dog or cat for a regular walk is important because it allows them to eliminate waste more frequently. Many pets naturally enjoy going out more regularly, while others may need some encouragement to do so.

The more time a pet spends inside, the more often they need to be walked to relieve themselves in short bursts.

2. Consider a Pet-Friendly Area Rug

Stain-resistant rugs are the best choice for homes with pets since they can withstand much abuse from your pets and still look good afterward. The rugs absorb less pet stain and are more durable than other rugs.

Furthermore, many of them are easier to clean since they can be vacuumed easily, keeping the appearance of your home clean.

3. Teach Your Pet the Command “Go Potty”

Pets need their owners to guide them, just as children do. Like humans, pets don’t come with an owner’s manual and need training. Training begins with potty training.

Pets typically start house training at three months and will be fully trained by six months. Train your puppy or kitten to know where to pee and where not to pee for the rest of their lives.

4. Take Your Pet Outside Every Time it Needs to Go

You can protect your area rug from pet urine by giving your pet more frequent potty breaks. Walk your pet as often as possible, and make sure it relieves itself before entering. As a result, you will have fewer accidents on the floor and in the house.

You can also clean up accidents as soon as possible. If something is still wet, it’s easier to clean than dry.

5. Use a Rug Cover

Good quality, thick cotton area rugs can be expensive. Why not invest in something that will protect it from spills and accidents? There are plenty of rug covers on the market specifically designed to absorb liquids and protect your oriental rugs or hardwood floors from being damaged.

Numerous styles and sizes are available, so you can make sure the rug cover fits snugly over your rug.

6. Get Rid of Ammonia in Your Rug

Ammonia is one of the ingredients in pet urine that can cause problems for area rugs and flooring. Your pet may associate the ammonia smell with the urine spot and continue to pee there.

Therefore, removing ammonia from the rug is a perfect solution to stop your dog from urinating on it.

7. Train Your Pet to Use a Designated Bathroom Area

Next, you can prevent your area rug from being damaged by ensuring your pet uses a designated bathroom area. The pets might not get it immediately, but they will learn to use a specific spot when nature calls with time and patience.

8. Use Pet Nappies

Pet nappies are similar to diapers for children and are made from a waterproof material with an elasticized band that can be wrapped around your pet’s backside. Simply undo some velcro tabs and slide them off to change or remove them.

Plastic linings keep odors at bay until you can get rid of them. The whole process is quick and painless for both owner and pet.

9. Keep Your Pet Away from the Area Rug

Pets pee on rugs because they’re looking for a place to relieve themselves that’s easy for them to get up from.

You can keep your dog off the rug or carpet by making it more difficult for him to jump down from it when he needs to go outside or use the litter box.

10. Use Vinegar to Deter Your Pet

Vinegar has a powerful smell, so it will deter your pet when squirting on the oriental rug. The smell makes them move on, as they dislike it. You may also use vinegar on doors, furniture legs, or anywhere else your pet may try to mark its territory.

This process will take time since you need to spray the area regularly, but once your pets get used to the scent, they won’t use that area as a bathroom anymore.

11. Spray Lemon Juice

Most pets don’t mind peeing on the rug, but their owners do. The smell of dog urine can be overpowering, and the sight of yellow rings on the rug can be dismaying.

Even though some cats and dogs relieve themselves in the same place, others are more random in their urination, making prevention difficult.

Spray some lemon juice on the area where your pet defecates or urinates. Your pet will not like the smell of it, so it will go somewhere else to pee.

Praise your pet and give him a treat if this happens. He will stop going there as soon as he associates the unpleasant smell with his behavior.

12. Try Using Pet Safe Commercial Repellents

Pet-safe commercial repellents are available to prevent pets from peeing on carpets and rugs. Using these products in combination with carpet cleaning detergents and cleaners, you can eliminate any foul odors, including pet urine odor, from your rugs.

An area rug where your dog or cat has peed is sprayed with a pattern to repel them from going there again by associating the smell with something unpleasant.

13. Crate Your Pet When You Aren’t at Home

Pets are less likely to urinate when they can’t leave their crate. If you are going outside, it’s the only way to train a dog not to pee on the rug. It can be uncomfortable for your dog, but only for a short period.

Crate training isn’t just for keeping pets from peeing on rugs. It also teaches your dog or cat how to behave outside his crate.

While you may think it’s cruel to confine a pet to a cage, remember that this is what nature intended for our canine friends anyway.

Final Thoughts

Getting rid of pet urine can be difficult, but you can do a few things to make it easier. However, now that you know about them, hopefully, you’ll be better prepared to handle future messes.

Another thing worth mentioning is that with area rugs, there are bound to be certain things that attract your pets to that spot in the first place. It may vary based on what kind of pet you have, but keeping your eye out for those things might help.