10 Best Carpet Cleaners For Cat Vomit in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Few sounds so quickly strike fear into the heart of cat owners as that of their feline friends preparing to empty their stomach’s contents onto the floor. Whether your pet is prone to hairballs or sensitive to food changes, vomit is impossible for cat owners to avoid. Naturally, cats frequently vomit onto the carpet or plush fabrics rather than easier-to-clean tile or hardwood because it’s simply one of many cruel ironies of caring for a feline.

Cleaning up cat vomit is neither pretty nor fun. The first step is physically removing as much vomit as you can. Once that’s done, it’s time to break out the cleaning products. But which one should you choose?

We’ve collected reviews of what we think are the 11 best carpet cleaners for cat vomit. It may not be the most glamorous of activities but hopefully, this information helps you decide on the right carpet cleaner for you and your nauseous cat—and remember to take your kitty to the vet if the vomiting persists.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023

The 10 Best Carpet Cleaners For Cat Vomit

1. Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray – Best Overall

Our top pick for the best overall carpet cleaner for cat vomit is Hepper’s Advanced Bio Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray. This spray is an excellent option for any pet parent who needs to get vomit out of their carpet. This spray doesn’t just tackle vomit; it can also handle any pet odors or stains you throw it at!

This solution is safe for use on carpets, floors, fabrics, and furniture. So, you can use it on anything your cat accidentally messes up.

It comes in a sizeable 32-ounce bottle, so you’ll be able to use it again and again after just one purchase. This spray also has a neutral scent. So, your home won’t come away smelling like a chemical plant or a harsh fragrance.

At Excited Cats, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

2. Out! Oxy Fast Activated Pet Stain & Odor Remover – Budget Buy

Our budget choice carpet cleaner for cat vomit is the Out! Oxy Fast Activated Pet Stain and Odor Remover. Oxidizing cleaners like this one work faster than enzyme cleaners, making this a good choice for those busy mornings when you don’t have time to let a vomit stain soak for a long time. Safe around kids and pets, this cleaner works by causing an oxygen-based chemical reaction to safely remove stains and odors. One of the most reasonably priced but effective carpet cleaners available, Out! Oxy Fast is a great value choice. As always, be careful to test the product to make sure it won’t change your carpet color as well. Some users report it doesn’t work as well on older vomit stains and doesn’t have a pleasant scent after use.

3. Rocco & Roxie Pro Strength Pet Stain & Odor Remover

Unfortunately, some cat vomit stains are so tough you might have to reach for a professional-grade carpet cleaner like this one. The Rocco and Roxie Supply Company Professional Strength Pet Stain And Odor Remover definitely isn’t the most cost-effective option. But if your next best choice is hiring a carpet cleaning service or replacing the carpet entirely, this cleaner still might be the cheaper decision! An enzyme-based cleaner, the bacteria in this product attack and consume the vomit stain, eliminating it. Chlorine-free, this cleaner is a good option for colored rugs and carpets, although you should still test it first. The higher price is the major drawback of this product but users also report mixed results with older stains and a strong leftover smell.

4. Simple Solution Extreme Stain And Odor Remover

Another professional strength enzymatic cleaner but at a more reasonable price, the Simple Solution Extreme Stain and Odor Remover is designed to permanently remove vomit stains when used as directed. The bacteria and enzymes in this cleaner keep working to break down stains even as it dries. A handy 3-in-1 nozzle allows you to pick the right option to deal with surface stains or those more deeply ingrained in the carpet. Users report it has a strong chemical smell and some have mixed results with getting stains out, although it seems to be effective at keeping odors at bay.

5. Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats Stain & Odor Remover

Another great choice for cat vomit carpet cleaner, is Nature’s Miracle Advanced Just For Cats Stain And Odor Remover. Nature’s Miracle produces a range of enzyme-based pet clean-up products and this formula is one of their strongest and most effective. This product contains bacteria that attack and break down your cat’s vomit stain rather than just providing a surface clean. Enzyme cleaners like this one destroy both stain and odor, leaving carpets clean and also making it less likely that your cat returns to make a mess in the same spot. Pre-mixed and ready to use, this spray also contains a lemon scent, pleasant for humans but disliked by cats, another incentive for kitty to stay away! Make sure to test this product on your carpet before you use it and then follow all directions for best results as some users report that it discolored their rugs.

6. TriNova Pet Stain And Odor Remover

Made with organic and natural ingredients, the TriNova Pet Stain and Odor Remover is a powerful, professional-grade enzymatic cleaner. This cleaner disintegrates vomit stains from your carpet without using any toxic chemicals. Also available in a gallon bottle, the TriNova cleaner isn’t the most cost-effective choice but does appear to work consistently, based on its glowing reviews. Aside from the cost, the main complaint seems to be regarding the strong smell left behind after cleaning. This product does require some scrubbing to work most effectively. As always, make sure to test this product on your rug before using it.

7. Sunny And Honey Pet Stain And Odor Miracle

Produced by a family-run small business, the Sunny & Honey Pet Stain And Odor Miracle is a popular, all-natural, enzymatic cleaner. Made in the USA, this product is safe to use around kids and pets, non-toxic, and biodegradable, making it another good choice for those looking to avoid chemical cleaners. This cleaner can also be used in carpet cleaning machines as a bonus. Most users report positive results with this product but many complain about the strong scent left behind. The mint-scented version seems to be the primary culprit. Another downside of this product is the cost, an extra source of frustration for the users that had less than adequate experiences using this cleaner.

8.  Resolve Ultra Pet Stain And Odor Remover Spray

Made by one of the most well-known carpet cleaner brands, Resolve Ultra Pet Stain and Odor Remover Spray is labeled to destroy vomit after the first application when used as directed. This is not an all-natural cleaner but is highly effective at removing both stain and odor. The product is safe around pets and kids but they should stay away until the cleaned area is dry. This Resolve spray works best on fresh vomit stains rather than older, set ones. It doesn’t require a lot of time or effort to spot clean with this spray, making it a good option for busy cat owners.

9. Arm & Hammer Plus Oxiclean Pet Stain And Odor Eliminator

Another product produced by a well-known company, the Arm & Hammer Plus Oxiclean Stain And Odor Eliminator combines an oxidizing cleaner with one of the oldest known all-natural odor fighters—baking soda. This product seems to work well at fighting stain and odor but not well at discouraging pets from returning to the same spot. Because this is less of an issue when dealing with vomit stains, this product is a cost-effective, safe cleaner that is widely available. Reportedly, this product works without bleaching or discoloring carpets and rugs. Easy to use and safe, the Arm & Hammer cleaner also has a nicer scent after cleaning than some of the other products we reviewed, according to users.

10. Woolite Carpet And Upholstery Cleaner Stain Remover

A product that requires you to put in a bit of elbow grease, the Woolite Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner Stain Remover is a foam formula that eliminates both stain and odor. After applying the product, use the attached brush to scrub and clean up the vomit stains. Not all natural but still safe around kids and pets, this product reportedly works even on older, built-in, stains. One drawback of this product is it may require multiple applications to remove a vomit stain, especially older ones. It’s also a bit messy and sometimes causes discoloration in carpets. Some users report issues with the nozzle on the can not spraying properly.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Carpet Cleaner For Cat Vomit

As you make your final decision about which carpet cleaner to buy, here are a few key points to consider.

Saving Money vs. Saving The Planet

Carpet cleaners come in a range of prices and as is often the case, those made with all-natural, earth-friendly ingredients are often the most expensive. As you decide between cleaners, one thing to consider is whether you’re willing to pay a little more for an eco-friendlier product.

Speed vs. Effectiveness

As we touched on in the reviews, some types of cleaners work a little faster than others. Enzymatic cleaners often take longer to break down stains and odors. However, they also usually do a better job of completely removing a stain than does a chemical or oxidizing cleaner.

Oxidizing cleaners usually work fast but may require multiple applications, especially with older stains.

Ease Of Use

If you’re in a hurry, you might prefer a cleaning product that takes as little work from you as possible. The Woolite Scrub Brush might be effective but the Bissell Power Shot is a lot easier to use and that might be what’s more important to you as you make your choice.

Availability

If you get caught without a carpet cleaner after a night of cat vomiting, your decision might come down to which cleaner you can most easily find at the closet store. While you may like the idea of supporting the small family business, in practicality you need a cleaner right now and can’t wait for the mail-order product. Something like a Resolve or Arm & Hammer product is much more likely to be found on the shelves of your local big-box or grocery store.

Conclusion

As our best overall choice of carpet cleaner for cat vomit, Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray is a powerful enzymatic cleaner, capable of safely and effectively removing vomit stains for good. Our best value choice, the Out! Oxy Fast Stain and Odor Remover offers quick and effective stain removal at a budget-friendly price.

As you read over our reviews of these 10 best carpet cleaners for cat vomit, also remember to consult your veterinarian if you’re concerned your cat may be dealing with a medical issue.

Feature Image Credit: Syda Productions, Shutterstock