Can Carpet Cleaning Be Harmful to My Dog?
A recent report revealed an alarming trend—10% of dogs now suffer from allergies, and this number is expected to rise each year.
While allergens can come from various sources like pollen or food, indoor allergies are particularly common, and one of the biggest culprits?
Your carpet.
If you live with a furry companion, chances are you’ve battled your fair share of carpet messes—pet stains, fur buildup, muddy paws, and lingering odors. But here’s the catch: not all carpet cleaning methods are safe for pets. If you’ve ever wondered, “Could my carpet be making my dog sick?” — you’re not alone.
How Can I Tell If My Dog Has Allergies?
Only your vet can give a definitive diagnosis through testing, but here are some common allergy symptoms to watch out for:
- Frequent sneezing
- Itchy, red or inflamed skin
- Scratching at ears, back, paws, or tail
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Snoring (caused by throat inflammation)
- Excessive paw licking or chewing
- Wheezing
- Hair loss or bald spots
- Skin ulcers or blisters
Allergies can make your dog miserable—and lead to infections from constant scratching and licking. Identifying the cause can bring much-needed relief.
How Carpets Can Trigger Dog Allergies
If you’re trying to pinpoint what’s bothering your pet, your carpet might be the hidden source of multiple allergens, including:
- Carpet materials: Some dogs are sensitive to natural fibers like wool or even synthetic materials.
- Tracked-in outdoor allergens: Pollutants like pesticides (e.g., DDT) can settle into your carpet fibers and dust.
- Chemical treatments: Stain-resistant coatings may contain irritants like formaldehyde or perfluorinated compounds, leading to contact dermatitis.
- Fleas: These tiny pests love to hide in carpet fibers—and just one bite can trigger weeks of itching in allergic dogs.
- Dust mites: A common allergen for dogs and humans alike—unfortunately, they thrive in carpeting.
- Mold & mildew: Often hidden deep in carpet padding, mold can be a major source of allergens for both pets and people.
Why Carpets Affect Dogs More Than Humans
Dogs (and crawling babies) spend a lot more time up close and personal with your carpets. Whether they’re napping, sniffing, or rolling around, your dog is:
- Breathing in allergens from the fibers
- Lying directly on allergen sources like dust mites and mold
- Exposing sensitive skin to irritants
Humans, by contrast, rarely spend prolonged periods in close contact with the carpet, making dogs more vulnerable to whatever’s lurking within.
The Best Solution? Pet-Safe Carpet Cleaning
Hiring a pet-friendly carpet cleaning service can significantly reduce allergens and make your home a safer space for your furry friend.
At longisland-carpetcleaning, we bring over 30 years of stain-fighting experience to every job. Our pet-safe CleaneR targets odor, stains, and allergens without leaving behind any sticky, dirt-attracting residue.
Our encapsulation extraction process deeply lifts dust, dander, and debris from your carpet—leaving it clean, fresh, and dry in just 45 minutes to an hour.
Want to keep your carpet clean and your dog healthy? Contact longisland-carpetcleaning today for a professional, pet-safe clean.
