The Best Carpet Cleaners for Pets, According to Experts and Reviewers

✔️ Size: "It's easy to fall head-over-heels for a carpet cleaner's efficiency without thinking about how it will fit into your home," says Simmonds. "Some of the most effective carpet cleaners are bulky and heavy, so they aren't suitable for smaller homes. Ensure you check the dimensions of the cleaner, so you know it'll fit in all of the gaps your pets frequent." Additionally, you'll want to consider what kind of storage space you're working with, so you don't buy a top-of-the-line cleaner only to have no room for it.

✔️ Accessories: Many carpet cleaners come with attachments and accessories specifically designed to get out tough stains, like pet urine. A few of the accessories Simmonds recommends keeping an eye out for are cleaners that have two separate tanks — one for the fresh cleaning solution, and one for the dirty solution — and cleaners with antimicrobial pet tools.

✔️ Capacity: If you're looking at a carpet cleaner that has a tank for the cleaning solution and/or a dustbin, it's worth considering how large it is. Some smaller cleaners will be easier to maneuver, but may need to be emptied more frequently.

✔️ Corded or Cordless: While cordless vacuums might be easier to maneuver, they tend to have less suction power than corded machines. If you have multiple pets, it might be worth investing in the more powerful option.

✔️ Cleaning solution: If you're using a carpet cleaner that relies on a cleaning solution, double-check that it's pet-safe. It's a safe bet that cleaning solutions formulated for pet messes won't contain anything toxic for pets, but always do your research. If possible, you can also keep your pets in another room until your carpet dries so they don't ingest anything they shouldn't.

• What is the difference between a regular carpet cleaner and a carpet cleaner for pets? While many carpet cleaners and vacuums can handle pet-related messes, there are certain models that have been designed to tackle pet-related messes. Many pet carpet cleaners come with a bottle of cleaning solution specially formulated to tackle pet urine and lift it out of your carpet.
  
• What is the best pet stain and odor remover? Several experts recommended the Bissell line of cleaning solutions designed for pet messes. However, there are plenty of options on the market from other manufacturers like Hoover and Rug Doctor that have lots of favorable reviews from Amazon customers.
  
• Is there anything I can do to cut down on my animal's shedding? Veterinarian Chyrle Bonk says, "Regular grooming of your pets will help remove a lot of their shed hair and trap it in a brush for easy disposal. By brushing out shed hair, it leaves for less pet mess around your home."
  
• Why is my dog/cat peeing inside? There are a whole host of reasons why your furry friend might be going to the bathroom indoors. They might be stressed out, they might be sick, they might not be totally housebroken yet, or they might be experiencing incontinence in their old age. It's best to consult a veterinarian who knows your animal and can make sure there's no serious illness at play.