How can I get rid of carpet snags?

Question

Hi, does anyone know how I can easily get rid of carpet snags that my cats have made. I have tried cutting with scissors and using my husband's hair clippers which has worked a bit but its very time consuming and ultimately I think will ruin his clippers. Thanks.

Barbara Votik · Answer

Get some carpet scissors and trim the parts that are sticking up. (You want carpet scissors because they will lie flat to the carpet on one side, making it easier to trim.) To discourage your cat, try sprinkling some ground up moth balls near the area (next to the wall). The odor is more than dogs can take and may be more than cats can take.

Marie Cole · Answer

I agree with Barbara Votik about the carpet scissors, however I would not put moth balls, ground up or otherwise as this can be poisonous to your pets. Clean the area well with white vinegar water solution at 1/2 and 1/2 (wall and floorboards too), allow to completely dry. This will remove any odors that may be bringing cat(s) back to this area again and again. When dry, cover the carpet area with clear shipping tape; pressing hard to seal into the fibers. Next tape over that with large strips of double sided tape (you can find these in craft stores or at pet stores...more expensive at pet stores but are clear.) placed so that the cat(s) can't walk over the area without stepping on a sticky part. Cats don't like having their paws stick to anything and this should deter them from further scratching your rug. Purchase a hanging cat scratcher to place as close to the area as possible so that scratching can still happen around there, just not the rug. I put the shipping tape down first so that if the cat is insistent on scratching, it will hopefully not get the rug and if they catch a strip of double sided tape I can simply remove that without removing it all. Try this for at least a month before removing all the tape. You may want to wean down to the double sided tape only in the last week to see how it goes. I hope this helps and isn't too intrusive in your home. You can use aluminum foil also, however that is intrusive and for some cats, it doesn't work well.

Tracey Boddy · Answer

Thank you so much for these ideas and I will certainly give them a try 😊👍

Redcatcec · Answer

I would say no0 to the mothballs, they are carcinogenic. Also if a child sees them, they may think they are candy.

Deb K · Answer

Hi Tracey, hope this helps you. I have had lots of luck with sharp scissors at a time.

https://tntcarpetcare.com/how-to-repair-carpet-from-cat-scratches/

How can I get rid of carpet snags?

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How can I get rid of carpet snags?

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