How to Clean Coccidia on Carpet (The ONLY Safe Method That Works!)

Okay, let’s get down and be intellectuals here for once, shall we?

Does Coccidia ring a bell?

If it doesn’t, a bad case of often bloody diarrhea in pups that lasts for days probably does.

Worse yet, if you have several puppies, it’s EXTREMELY likely that they will all get this super contagious parasite.

So before it spreads further, let’s discuss how to clean coccidia on carpet and upholstery! I’ll also offer tips on how to prevent further infestation.

How to Clean Coccidia on Carpet?

Get Rid of the Source

Most of the time, we just laze around trying to dismiss what we ought to do. Often, hoping someone else will take charge of the things we avoid.

Let’s be honest, who enjoys cleaning animal poops? Definitely, not me!

Quick action is crucial in preventing the spread of coccidia and affecting other dogs at home. Therefore, you should be able to remove and dispose of the source from the get-go: feces and other contaminated materials, like unfinished food, vomit, etc.

Needless to say, always check if there are stools around the house, especially in places where your puppy frequents.

Do this at least twice a day, preferably in the morning and afternoon. Spot clean the area as soon as possible, leaving no trace.

Merely dumping the muck in the waste bin won’t do, though. You’ll want to make sure to DESTROY the thing, not just move it to another place from where it would keep spreading. More on that in the next step!

How Do You Get Rid of Coccidia Eggs?

If you think bleach can easily get rid of just about any stain and parasites on your carpet, you can’t be any more wrong. Bleach can’t kill coccidia or its oocysts (a fancy word for eggs).

Even disinfectants don’t stand a chance.

Granted, a few chemicals can penetrate through these walls. However, these can be very toxic and may put your family in harm’s way. So don’t even get started!

The only ways you can kill coccidia safely are through the following:

• Burn the s*it (out of the sh*t) – literally!
• Submerging in boiling water
• Ammonia solution
• Steam cleaning

Since you can’t possibly burn up feces on a rug (unless to get rid of them entirely) or submerge the whole carpet into boiling water, the only options left are to steam clean or use ammonia.

But as you’ll see below, steam cleaning is the only option that’s 100% safe for you, your pets, as well as the carpet!

Steam Cleaning

Heat is the most effective and also the most eco-friendly method in killing coccidia and other parasites and allergens. Steam’s high temperature will get rid of every single egg, particularly in porous surfaces.

There’s another reason why I heartily recommend this method.

You can steam clean not only the carpet, but also hard surfaces – wherever it is that the pup made a mess. As well as its bed, blankets, toys.

It’s the winning method for getting rid of almost any imaginable pest – from fleas to bed bugs to pet pests such as parvovirus!

I suggest that you use a large nozzle if you have it. This is because fine nozzles’ higher velocity steam tends to cool a lot quicker.

Why Ammonia Solution Is a Risky Option

Two reasons!

First, ammonium hydroxide is VERY toxic and dangerous for skin and lungs, as well as the environment.

Second, even if you arm yourself with protective equipment to stay safe, it will wreak havoc on your carpet.

If you do decide to go down this road, you’d have to buy ammonium hydroxide with a 10% concentration or higher. Otherwise, it might not work.

You’d also have to soak your carpet with this solution for a minimum of 45 minutes. This should be enough to kill coccidia. True, that will kill off the parasite and its offspring. But it will kill the carpet too. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Coccidia?

Coccidia is basically a parasite that infects dog’s, especially puppy’s gastrointestinal tract. Some signs and symptoms associated with it are diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, dehydration, loss of appetite, depression, and even death.

Can Coccidia Live on Clothes?

Studies show that we are some of the greatest transmitters of coccidia. However, it does not translate to actual infections among us because this parasite is not transmissible to humans.

In fact, even transmission between dogs and cats is not possible.

There is really no direct evidence stating that these parasites can live on clothes. However, people who visit, say, poultry that can be a breeding ground are required to change their clothing before entering and change them again during their exit.

This leads to the assumption that coccidia can probably live on fabrics.

Will Lysol Kill Coccidia?

Unfortunately, disinfectants, including Lysol, cannot kill coccidia.

The thing is, oocysts or cysts containing the parasites have protective walls that are very resilient. This makes them very resistant to various environmental conditions and common types of disinfectants.

How Long Can Coccidia Live on Carpet?

When your infected puppy poops in the environment, expect coccidia eggs to survive for up to one year. However, it is a different story when the elements that can make them thrive are absent.

In fact, they can only survive for up to a week when intact in feces. However, they can die on clean surfaces within a few days.