How to Clean Cat Vomit and Stains Safely on Carpet and Fabric

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

If you live with a cat, you will clean vomit at some point. Hairballs, gulped breakfast and the odd upset stomach are part of life. Fast, correct cleanup saves your floors, and protects your cat.

First steps

1. Check your cat. Make sure it is not in distress, and note whether vomiting continues.
2. Look at the vomit. Color, content and amount can help your vet. See cat vomiting causes.
3. Wear gloves, and ventilate the room.
4. Lift off solids with a paper towel or a stiff piece of card, working from the outside in so that you do not spread it.
5. Blot the liquid, pressing with clean towels. Do not rub, which pushes the stain deeper.

Carpets and rugs

1. Blot as much as you can.
2. Apply an enzyme cleaner made for pet stains, following the label. Let it soak so that it reaches the padding.
3. Wait the recommended time, often ten to fifteen minutes or longer.
4. Blot dry. Repeat if needed.
5. Allow to air-dry. Sprinkle baking soda to absorb odor, then vacuum the next day.

Avoid steam cleaning until the stain is gone, since heat can set protein stains.

Upholstery and fabric

Check the care label. Blot, then apply a diluted enzyme cleaner or a mild mix of dish soap and water. Rinse with a damp cloth and dry. For washable items, rinse in cold water first, then wash with enzymatic laundry detergent. Avoid hot water at first, since it sets stains.

Hard floors

Wipe up, then clean with a mild soap or a pet-safe floor cleaner. Use an enzyme spray for lingering odor. Rinse and dry, since slippery residue is hazardous.

Mattresses and bedding

Blot, apply enzyme cleaner, let it soak and blot dry. Sun and air help. Use waterproof covers if your cat vomits in bed.

Yellow or green stains

Bile can leave yellow stains. Pretreat with enzyme cleaner, then wash. Hydrogen peroxide may lighten stains on light fabrics, after a patch test.

Products to avoid

• Ammonia, which smells like urine and may encourage marking. See how to remove cat urine odor.
• Bleach, which can damage colors and is dangerous if mixed with other chemicals.
• Phenol and pine cleaners, which are toxic to cats.
• Essential oil sprays. See essential oils and cats.
• Strong fragrances.

See cat safe cleaning products. Keep cats out of the room until surfaces are dry, and rinse residues.

What vomit can tell you

• Undigested food soon after eating: eating too fast.
• Hair in a cylinder: a hairball. See hairballs in cats.
• Yellow foam: bile on an empty stomach.
• Blood or coffee-ground look: urgent.
• Foreign objects, string: emergency. See linear foreign body in cats.
• Grass: many cats eat grass. See why do cats eat grass.

When to call the vet

See a vet if your cat:

• Vomits more than once or twice a week.
• Vomits repeatedly in a day.
• Has blood, or foreign material in vomit.
• Is lethargic, refuses food or has diarrhea.
• Is a kitten or senior.
• May have eaten something toxic. See cat poisoning: what to do.

Prevention

• Brush regularly to reduce hairballs. See how to brush a cat and hairball control cat food.
• Use slow feeders and smaller meals. See puzzle feeders and slow feeders for cats.
• Switch foods slowly. See how to switch cat foods.
• Keep hazards out of reach.
• Use washable covers on favorite spots.

Keep a stain kit

Store enzyme cleaner, paper towels, gloves, baking soda and a spare cloth in a handy place.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use vinegar? Diluted vinegar can help with odor on some surfaces, but enzyme cleaners are more effective on protein stains. Why does the smell come back? Residue in carpet padding. Re-treat with enzyme cleaner. Can I use a carpet cleaning machine? After the stain and odor are removed. How do I stop my cat vomiting on carpets? Address the cause, and provide washable mats near favorite spots.

Protecting surfaces

Waterproof throws on sofas, washable mats near feeding areas and a hard-floor feeding spot make cleanup easier. Keep spare covers handy, and wash them often.

A cleaning checklist

Gloves on, solids lifted, liquid blotted, enzyme cleaner applied, wait time observed, blotted dry, air dried and vacuumed. Wash your hands. Wash the cat's bowl if the vomit was near it. Check on your cat again later, and note the episode in your phone, with the time and a photo if vomiting is frequent.

Odor control

Sprinkle baking soda on dry carpet, leave for several hours, then vacuum. Open windows. If odor persists, there may be residue in padding, so re-treat. Never cover odors with strongly scented sprays, which can bother cats.

When to see a vet

See a vet for frequent or severe vomiting. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.