If you own a cat or dog as a pet, then you already know that they make wonderful companions. They provide unconditional love, are fun to snuggle and play with, and are always happy to see you. In fact, studies have shown that cat and dog owners feel more secure, less anxious, and happier when their pets are near. Read on to learn about why you should consider professional carpet cleaning.
Of course, owning a pet does come with a few downsides. One major problem is that cats and dogs shed their coats almost constantly. It can feel like a never ending battle to keep your home free of pet hair and dander. Another issue is pet “accidents.” No matter how well trained your pet is, at some point it’s going to urinate somewhere it shouldn’t or track fecal matter throughout your home.
Underlying Health Issues
If you have carpets, then these pesky pet problems are only compounded because hair, dander, urine, and fecal matter can get trapped deep down in the carpet fibers and can be impossible to remove unless you hire a professional carpet cleaning service. Vacuuming alone won’t get rid of these toxins. In fact, vacuuming will only disturb these poisonous particles and launch them into the air where they are more likely to be inhaled. Not only is this gross, but it can cause a whole range of health issues, including:
Allergies
One of the biggest misconceptions is that pet hair itself causes allergies. If your allergies are triggered by pets, then you’re most likely allergic to proteins found in the animal’s urine, saliva, and dander (flakes of dead skin). When your pet sheds its fur, these proteins go along for the ride and build up on your carpet and other areas of the house. Touching or breathing in these proteins can lead to a wide range of allergy symptoms that may include itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, itchy skin, and sore throat.
To compound the issue, microscopic creatures called dust mites feed on the dead skin cells that our pets shed every day. After feasting on these cells, dust mites produce tiny particles of waste. When inhaled, this toxic trash can cause severe allergic reactions similar to those described above.
Lastly, pet fur is a magnet for pollen, ragweed, mold, and other seasonal allergies. Think about when you take your dog for a walk. The pollens in the air settle on your dog’s fur. If you let Fido off his leash for a bit he may roll around in the grass or leaves and pick up some mold, fungus, or bacteria. All of those allergens come right into your home on the back of your dog and settle into your carpet.
Worms
If your dog or cat has intestinal worms, then they can be passed to you through its fecal matter. For example, let’s say your dog has an accident on the carpet. Of course, you do your absolute best to clean it up. But microscopic particles of feces may remain and the eggs of certain roundworms and other parasites can linger for months or even years. Sooner or later you or a family member may pick up a parasite or worm simply by walking across the carpet barefoot.
Bacteria & Viruses
A pet’s fecal matter can also cause a range of illnesses with symptoms that range from uncomfortable to dangerous. For example, a bacteria called Campylobacter jejuni commonly found in dog and cat poop causes diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Other bacteria and viruses found in animal feces include salmonella, E. coli, leptospira, parvovirus, distemper, and rabies. The symptoms from these gross germs can range from fever, rashes, liver damage, nervous system damage, and blindness.
Start With A Professional Carpet Cleaning
If you want your carpet to be free of all the gross stuff your pets deposit onto it, then you should hire a professional carpet cleaning service. A professional carpet cleaning service like Safe-Dry® Carpet Cleaning uses special shampoos that kill germs, bacteria, and parasite eggs that pets may bring into the home.
A carpet cleaning professional also uses high-powered equipment to suck up all the hair, dander, urine, and feces that are trapped deep down in the fibers of your carpet. Everything is completely contained and removed—and unlike a regular vacuum—never launched into the air. Finally, they use high-powered drying tools that remove any trace of moisture—leaving your carpet clean, completely dry, and free from mold.
The Safe-Dry Solution of Professional Carpet Cleaning
If you are ready to hire a professional carpet cleaning service, then contact Safe-Dry Carpet Cleaning. Safe-Dry offers a broad range of services and uses chemical-free solutions that are safe, not only for your carpets, but for you and your family as well. Contact Safe-Dry today for more information or to schedule an appointment for a professional carpet cleaning service.