How To Clean Cat Vomit From Your Couch: 3 Quick & Easy Ways
In this article
Cats are always adorable, but sometimes they do something truly gross, like throw up all over the couch. Unfortunately, it’s left to us devoted owners to clean up after them. If you come home to find a pile of cat vomit on the couch, you’ll likely want to get it cleaned up straight away. Vomit can stain soft furnishings, and the longer it’s left, the less likely that you’ll be able to get rid of that unpleasant smell.
If you don’t have a dedicated cleaning spray, the good news is that you’ve probably got most of the ingredients for another cleaning method!
Besides cleaning the cat vomit from your couch as soon as possible, you should try to figure out why your cat was vomiting in the first place.
The 3 Best Ways to Clean Cat Vomit Out of a Couch
1. Use a Professional Stain Remover
An enzymatic formula effectively removes organic stains like vomit from your couch and leaves behind a pleasant scent instead.
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- ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular levels to dissolve any pet mess you encounter and lift it away at the source.
- FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture, fabrics, and more. Whether it's urine, feces, vomit, or drool, you can erase all foul spots and smells!
- FRESH, NATURAL ODOR - Our unique formulation doesn't rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemical fragrances to get the job done. We eradicate smells and stains, not just cover them up.
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Method
2. Using Baking Soda and Club Soda
For this technique, you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Vacuum cleaner
- Club soda
- Warm water
- Cleaning cloth
- Paper towels
Method
3. Vinegar and Dish Soap
This is a good method to use for yellow vomit that contains bile. The acid in bile can damage fabrics and cause permanent staining. The best chance of removing yellow vomit without your couch being damaged is to remove it as soon as possible and clean using this technique.
You’ll need:
- Paper towels
- White vinegar
- Cleaning cloth
- Warm water
- Dish soap
- Tablespoon
- Baking soda or borax
Method
Why Did Your Cat Vomit in the First Place?
Besides cleaning up after your cat, it’s important to figure out what caused them to vomit in the first place. From a straightforward cause like eating too fast to something more serious like an illness, here are a few of the main reasons that cats vomit.
1. After Eating
Some cats eat too quickly and then regurgitate their food before it’s been digested. While this is slightly different from true vomit, it still requires cleaning up! Cats who regurgitate their food should be given smaller portions throughout the day or use a slow feeder bowl so they take longer to eat.
Some food allergies can cause vomiting. Cats can often be allergic to beef, eggs, fish, eggs, and wheat. If your cat vomited after eating table scraps that they shouldn’t have or after trying a new food for the first time, an allergy may be the cause.
2. Eating Inappropriate Items
Sometimes, curiosity can get the better of our cats. If a cat eats something that they shouldn’t have, like a hairband, a piece of a houseplant, or the string from a toy, vomiting can be a result of their body trying to get rid of the offending item.
Some cats get into the habit of eating non-food items like cardboard or even plastic. This behavior is called pica, and it’s best to speak to your vet to find out the cause.
If you think that your cat has eaten something poisonous or sharp, call your vet for advice immediately.
3. Viral and Bacterial Infections
Respiratory, urinary tract or ear infections can all cause pain and vomiting. Cats are excellent at hiding the fact that they’re in pain or under the weather. So, a change like vomiting might be the only clue that they’re not well.
Getting your cat to the vet for an examination is the best thing to do in this scenario.
4. Parasite Burdens
Worms and other parasites that live in your cat’s digestive system can cause vomiting. This is sometimes accompanied by anemia and weight loss. Make sure you keep your cat’s anti-parasite regime up to date to reduce the risk of this happening.
5. Illness and Disease
Vomiting can be a signs of a more serious illness, like kidney failure, inflammatory bowel disease, or pancreatitis. If you notice blood in your cat’s vomit, this can also be a sign that they’re not well. Asking your vet to perform a thorough exam will help you get to the bottom of the problem.
Wrapping It Up
Now you know how to get cat vomit out of your couch. Cleaning cat vomit might not be the best part of owning a cat, but these techniques all do a great job of removing that stain for good!
Vomiting can be a sign that your cat simply ate their food too fast, but it can also be a sign of a more serious underlying illness. Speak to your vet if you’re worried, and ask them to check your cat’s overall health.
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: AngieYeoh, Shutterstock
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Emma is a freelance writer, specializing in writing about pets, outdoor pursuits, and the environment. Originally from the UK, she has lived in Costa Rica and New Zealand before moving to a smallholding in Spain with her husband, their 4-year-old daughter, and their dogs, cats, horses, and poultry. When she's not writing, Emma can be found taking her dogs for walks in the rolling fields around their home...and usually, at least some of the cats come along, too! Emma is passionate about rescuing animals and providing them with a new life after being abandoned or abused. As well as their own four rescue dogs, she also fosters dogs for re-homing, providing them with love and training while searching for their forever homes.
