Underlays

Why does my cat always barf on my rugs instead of linoleum or the hardwood floor?

My cat has a bad hairball problem, and whenever the seasons change she'll have barfing episodes almost every day for weeks. Okay here's the part that really boggles my mind: Our house is all hardwood floor, with linoleum in the kitchen and the bathrooms. We have a few throw rugs here and there. Now, out of all the places to puke, she ALWAYS chooses to puke on one of the various throw rugs in the house. One time I saw her retching and I picked her up and put her on the linoleum and she ran back to the throw rug and hurled, refusing to barf on bare floor. I really wish she would barf on the hardwood or the linoleum because then I could just quickly wipe it up instead of having to pre-treat and wash the rugs all the time. Does anyone know why cats prefer puking on carpet vs. bare floor surfaces?

Public Comments

1. Stimulated by soft fabrics
2. maybe your cat just hates you.
3. so it doesnt splash back on his fur....
4. My cat and dogs not only prefer the carpet, but it seems like they actually take the time to find the only clean speck of carpet left to wretch on... I think that it is a conspiracy.
5. because your cat might not like your rug..goodluck
6. My cat does the same thing.
7. Dogs and cats prefer the pile of the carpet over the hard surface of the linoleum. It is a nesting instinct
8. EXCELLENT question. My house is partially carpet and partially linoleum. She ALWAYS barfs on the carpet.. but oh it gets better. She barfs on my pillow, bed, and if I happen to leave clothes out on the floor... yep they get barfed on. It's so annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't count how many times I've had to whip out the carpet cleaner after a barf episode. UGH
9. because the rug feels like grass to her...actually she is trying to use her manners
10. heaving is extremely uncomfortable and the hard floor yields no comfort but the rug does. They can dig their claws in while the wretch and there is not likely to be a splash back. Gross I know but true.
11. I don't know either, but a majority (if not all) of cats do that. Maybe a rug seems like grass to them or they think that their puke is harder to find there.
12. they enjoy driving you absolutely crazy. my cats do that to my mom too. the worst part is it's so hard to stay mad at them!
13. If I knew, I would be a rich woman.
14. Yes, ALL cats do that! : ) Guidelines for Cats: Chairs and Rugs: If you have to throw up, get to a chair quickly. If you cannot manage in time, get to an Oriental rug. If there is no Oriental rug, shag is good. When throwing up on the carpet, make sure you back up so that it is as long as the human's bare foot. Bathrooms: Always accompany guests to the bathroom. It is not necessary to do anything . . . just sit and stare. Hampering: If one of your humans is engaged in some close activity and the other is idle, stay with the busy one. This is called "helping", otherwise known as "hampering." Following are the rules for "hampering": When supervising cooking, sit just behind the left heel of the cook. You cannot be seen and thereby stand a better chance of being stepped on and then picked up and comforted. For book readers, get in close under the chin, between eyes and book, unless you can lie across the book itself. For knitting projects or paperwork, lie on the work in the most appropriate manner so as to obscure as much of the work or at least the most important part. Pretend to doze, but every so often reach out and slap the pencil or knitting needles. The worker may try to distract you; ignore it. Remember, the aim is to hamper work. Embroidery and needlepoint projects make great hammocks in spite of what the humans may tell you. For people paying bills (monthly activity) or working on income taxes or Christmas cards (annual activity), keep in mind the aim-to hamper! First, sit on the paper being worked on. When dislodged, watch sadly from the side of the table. When activity proceeds nicely, roll around on the papers, scattering them to the best of your ability. After being removed for the second time, push pens, pencils, and erasers off the table, one at a time. When a human is holding the newspaper in front of him/her, be sure to jump on the back of the paper. They love to jump. Walking: As often as possible, dart quickly and as close as possible in front of the human, especially on stairs, when they have something in their arms, in the dark, and when they first get up in the morning. This will help their coordination skills. Bedtime: Always sleep on the human at night so s/he cannot move around. Play: This is an important part of your life. Get enough sleep in the daytime so you are fresh for your nocturnal games. Below are listed several favorite cat games that you can play. It is important, though, to maintain one's dignity at all times. If you should have an accident during play, such as falling off a chair, immediately wash a part of your body as if to say "I meant to do that!" It fools those humans every time. CUTE, huh...? ________ : ) : ) For more onthis, go here: http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/hum1/guidelines_for_cats.htm Tips for cleaning rugs: Use "Resolve" -- it is the best.... : ) Cat owners know that cats can be a real pain to clean up after at times. They knock things over, leave hair everywhere and often vomit up fur balls on your carpet. Even if you only have one room of carpet in your home they will find a way to make that room their favorite place to vomit. This article will give you some advice on cleaning cat vomit from your carpets so that you can get back to enjoying your pet. The first thing you need to do is clean up as much of the material from the surface as possible. Using dye free paper towels, scoop up any material you can and then blot up any remaining liquid. Next try using a damp cloth on the spot. Do not use any cleaner at this time. First try just plain water. You will be surprised at what plain water can do. Gently blot the spot , do not rub, until the stain is gone or until no more of the stain transfers. If the stain is still present you can now use a bottle of your favorite stain remover. Spray the cleaner on a rag or paper towel and gently dab the spot until the stain is gone or no more color transfers to the towel. Once again be sure to dab the spot and do not rub it. Lastly spray a mixture of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 2 parts water on the spot to neutralize the spot cleaner. Let it sit for a few seconds and then blot the solution up with a rag or paper towel. That's all there is to it. It will only take you a few minutes and then you can get back to enjoying your pet. Good luck. : ) Meooow... : )
15. My cat does the same thing . but I think its because she thinks she can cover it up easily.