Pet Accidents in the Car: How to Clean Seats, Carpet and Crates

Pet accidents in the car are a special kind of mess. A car is a small, closed space that heats up in the sun, so a little urine or vomit can make the whole car smell within a day. Seats and carpet are hard to reach, and many car fabrics and leathers need gentler care than household carpet. This guide covers how to clean up urine, vomit and poop from car seats, carpet and crates, and how to make the next trip less likely to end in a mess.

It is based on guidance from Humane World for Animals, the ASPCA and the American Kennel Club (AKC). Check your vehicle owner’s manual as well, since carmakers often give specific cleaning advice for their seat materials.

Right away: pull over and contain it

Stop somewhere safe if you can, and let your pet out on a leash or keep them secured while you deal with the mess.
Pick up solids with a plastic bag or paper towels, without pressing them into the fabric.
Blot liquids with paper towels or an old towel. Press, do not rub.
Open the windows for the rest of the drive.

A small kit kept in the car makes this much easier (see the end of this guide).

Urine on fabric seats and car carpet

Blot up as much as you can. Keep pressing fresh towels into the spot until they come away nearly dry. Car seat foam soaks up liquid, so take your time.
Rinse with cool water. Humane World for Animals recommends rinsing the accident zone thoroughly with clean, cool water and blotting it dry. Use a little at a time so you do not soak the seat.
Treat the odor with a pet odor product made for fabric and upholstery, following the label. Test it on a hidden area first, such as under the seat. Use enough to reach as deep as the urine went.
Dry it well. Park in a dry, sunny spot with the windows open, or run a fan. Leave the car open to air out if it is safe to do so. A seat that stays damp can start to smell musty.
Check by smell once dry and repeat if needed. For spots you cannot see, a UV black light used in a dark garage helps; our black light guide explains how.

For older, dried spots on car carpet, the steps in our carpet urine guide apply. Humane World for Animals suggests a carpet cleaning machine that extracts water, not a steam cleaner, for old stains. Small handheld extractors work well in cars.

Leather and vinyl seats

Wipe up urine or vomit quickly with a soft cloth. Leather and vinyl do not absorb as fast as fabric, but liquid can run into seams and stitching.
Clean with a cleaner made for automotive leather or vinyl, as your owner’s manual directs. Many household cleaners can dry out or discolor leather.
Check the seams and the gap between the seat back and cushion, where liquid collects. Perforated (ventilated) seats need extra care: blot, do not pour liquid onto them.
Condition leather afterward if your owner’s manual recommends it.

Vomit

Dogs and cats are often carsick, and the AKC notes motion sickness is most often seen in puppies. To clean it:

Remove solids, then blot. Do not rub, or you will push it into the fabric.
An absorbent powder over a wet spot helps lift moisture out. Let it sit as the label directs and vacuum it up.
Rinse with a little cool water, treat with a pet stain and odor product, and dry well.

Our vomit cleanup guide has more detail.

Poop and diarrhea

Lift solids with a bag or paper towel, scrape gently with a card or spatula rather than wiping, then treat what is left as you would urine. Diarrhea needs more blotting and rinsing. See our poop and diarrhea guide. Wear gloves and wash your hands afterward.

Crates, carriers and seat covers

Plastic crates and carriers: remove the bedding, wash the crate with soap and water, rinse, and dry it fully in the air before using it again.
Bedding and washable seat covers: wash as the label allows. Humane World for Animals suggests adding a one-pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent for soiled washables, and an enzymatic cleaner if the smell remains.
Soft-sided carriers: follow the maker’s instructions; many have removable, washable liners.

For a full clean of the crate or carrier itself, see how to clean a dog crate or pet carrier.

If your dog was sprayed by a skunk before the ride, see how to clean skunk smell out of the house, car and fabrics.

For washing the cover, hammock or booster seat itself, see how to clean a dog car seat cover, hammock and booster seat.

What not to use

Ammonia-based cleaners. The ASPCA notes that urine contains ammonia, so ammonia products can draw a pet back to the same spot. Many glass cleaners contain ammonia, so keep them off seats.
Vinegar on soiled spots. Humane World for Animals advises against both ammonia and vinegar, because strong chemical smells may encourage a pet to mark the area again.
Steam cleaners on urine. Humane World for Animals warns that heat can permanently set urine stains and odors in upholstery and carpet.
Bleach on car fabric or carpet. It can discolor it permanently.
Air freshener alone. In a hot car the smell returns as soon as the freshener fades.

Prevent the next accident

Use a crate or a crash-tested harness. The AKC recommends that dogs ride in a crate or with a crash-tested dog seat belt, in the back seat, away from airbags. A crate also keeps any accident in one easy-to-clean place. For travel, the AKC suggests crates with leak-proof bottoms.
Use a waterproof seat cover or cargo liner under your pet.
Take a bathroom break just before you leave, and on long trips stop regularly.
Feed lightly before trips. For carsick dogs, the AKC suggests withholding food for 12 hours before a car trip while keeping water available.
Keep the car cool and airy. The AKC notes that lowering the windows a little can help reduce nausea, and that having a dog face forward or ride in a crate that limits their view can help.
Build up slowly. The AKC suggests short, positive sessions in a parked car before short drives, so your dog does not link the car only with vet visits.
Talk to your veterinarian if your pet gets sick or anxious on every trip. The AKC notes vets may recommend medication for nausea or anxiety.
Never leave a pet in a parked car. A closed car heats up fast, even on a mild day.

For the hair your pet leaves on the seats and carpet, see how to remove dog and cat hair from your car.

A car cleanup kit

Keep these in the trunk: paper towels, plastic bags, gloves, a small bottle of water, an absorbent powder, a pet odor product and an old towel. Our Pet Cleanup Kit comes in a pouch with gloves, absorbent powder, a stain and odor foam, a brush and a black light, which makes it easy to keep in the car.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get dog pee smell out of my car seat?

Blot up as much as you can, rinse with a little cool water, treat with a pet odor product made for upholstery, and let the seat dry completely with the windows open. Repeat if the smell returns once dry.

Can I use vinegar on car seats?

Animal welfare groups advise against vinegar on spots a pet has soiled, because strong smells can draw pets back. Use a pet odor product and check your owner’s manual for what is safe on your seats.

Why does my car still smell after cleaning?

Usually because urine reached the seat foam or the carpet padding, or the area did not fully dry. Use a black light to find the full extent of the spot, treat again, and dry thoroughly. A professional auto detailer can extract deeper spots.

How do I stop my dog from getting carsick?

The AKC suggests a light stomach before travel, fresh air, a forward-facing position or a crate, and gradual, positive car practice. If it continues, ask your veterinarian.

Sources

Humane World for Animals: How to remove pet stains and odors
ASPCA: Urine marking in cats
American Kennel Club: Carsickness in dogs
American Kennel Club: Dog car safety

This guide is general cleaning information. Follow your vehicle owner’s manual and the product label, and test cleaners on a hidden area first.