Man's best friend and rugs often sound incompatible, but there are actually a handful of pet-friendly area rug options for your home. Most likely you won't want to invest in a priceless antique rug with pets in the house, but you also don’t have to stick to rubber flooring either. Use this guide to help you find the best pet-friendly rug that both you and your pet can enjoy:
Consider Wool
Now you may be thinking that synthetic materials would be the best for pets, but this is not always the case when it comes to rugs. Wool is actually one of the best materials to use with pets. In addition:
- Wool is extremely durable
- Is easier to clean than many other materials
- Wool is naturally stain-resistant, and it also holds dirt near the surface of the rug so dirt does not get ground into the fibers of the rug
- Wool is vacuum-friendly, which is good, because the fibers will attract pet hair
- Wool is also one of the most affordable rugs, which means you won’t feel too badly if your pet soils the rug in some way
Distract With An Array Of Color
Another thing to consider when purchasing a pet-friendly rug is the color. You might think a dark rug is the best choice, but dark colors can actually make pet hair stand out more. Light-colored rugs make stains stand out, but may hide fur better. The "perfect" pet-friendly rug is a combination of colors with a bright pattern.
Additionally, a pattern draws the eye away from dirt, stains, and pet hair. Of course, just because dirt is less visible does not mean you will never have to clean the rug. Our specialists suggest daily cleaning which will help keep your rug in top condition a lot longer.
Cushion Noise With a Thick Rug
Pet-friendly rugs are ideal for hiding the sounds of animals that can be grating. In addition, thick rugs provide sound cushioning from barking, meowing, and the sound of scraping nails on the floor. For even greater sound muffling, try adding a rug pad under your rug. Balance the thickness of the rug with the type and amount of noise your pet makes.
Practicality
Cats, for example, find high-pile rugs to be exceptional scratching posts. A safer alternative for cats is to use a low-pile pet-friendly rug with a rug pad. If you play indoor games with your dog, we suggest that you consider a thicker rug.
Clean Your Pet Friendly Rugs Regularly
Regardless of what the type of pet-friendly rug you have, or are planning on getting, your pets will eventually soil it in some way or another. Common issues with rugs and pets are:
- Stuck-on pet hairs
- Urine stains
- Loosened fibers from pet-nail scratches
The best way to prolong your rug’s life is with consistent cleaning.
Vacuum the rug every few days, or at least once a week, to remove surface dirt and animal hair (we advise that you do not vacuum fur rugs or rugs with a high pile). Furthermore, resolve stains from pet urine, vomit, or other sources instantly. Always use a stain remover that will not remove color from, or damage the fibers of, your rug.
Just because you have pets in the home does not mean you will never be able to have rugs. Pet-friendly rugs and pets can be suitable companions if you follow the appropriate steps and purchase the right kind of rug. With the right rug material and color, and with frequent cleaning, your rug and pet can coexist in harmony.
There are several options to consider when shopping for a pet-friendly rug, so that's why we've eliminated the guess work and created a website full of area rugs that are designed to withstand use, and accidents, from your pets! Click here to shop!