It is widely believed and told by experts that your pet will go back to a previous peed on rug because of the smell. This is FALSE! Why do I say this? I see it every day.
If it was just the smell of the previous urine they wouldn't go back to the same spot after you changed the rug. It isn't because of smell it is because they got away with using the rug as a bathroom. They now know this is where they can go. It becomes habit for them.
Smell comes mostly into the equation when you have other dogs visit your house. They smell the urine from your dog and they mark the spot with their scent.
It is frustration when you are explaining this to clients and they look at you like you know nothing. I just had that happen and it compelled me to write about pet urine and area rugs. The best part is that her issue was about dog smell and not urine. I found this out after I told her that is wasn't smell that made them go back to the rug and after the client had that look on their face that said you are lying and know nothing.
There isn't a lot that can be done about dog odour if your dog lays on the rug, except get the rug cleaned more often that once a year. Please do not use air fresheners to mask the odour. Air fresheners open up a whole new set of health issues.
If you do see your pet pee on your area rug it probably isn't the first time they have done it. Check the back of your rug for urine stains, they will look like yellow water marks on the back of most rugs. If you cannot see any urine stains because of the colours, design, or type of backing your rug has, get down and start smelling other area of your rug. You may be surprised at what you find.
Pets, especially dogs love area rugs just as much as we do. Rugs are a good warm, soft place to go to sleep and they can also be a convenient indoor bathroom. A good thing to do to deter your pets from going near a rug is to sprinkle some cayenne pepper on the rug. Dogs usually don't like to smell pepper, so they may avoid going near your area rugs. This is a good trick to use when you bring a new rug home and when you move to a new house. Dogs like their routines and every time their routines get messed with they will act out.
Now as with most advice it is never set in stone and not every dog will react the same way, but there are a few things that you can count on:
- New Puppies will always find your rug the perfect place to pee
- Even if you only own one rug, your pet will always vomit or pee on it if they have to go
- Water and vinegar are safe to clean pet urine spots
Thanks for reading, RugloverMary
