We love our pets. We really do! But let’s be honest—they can do a number on your home, especially when it comes to rugs. Muddy paws, long nails, playtime, the inevitable accident: all of these things can wreak serious havoc on your rugs. Because we want you to have the home of your dreams, and one that doesn’t sacrifice style for durability and easy upkeep, we’re sharing everything you need to know to select your ideal pet-friendly rug. From wool to washables to yes, even outdoor styles, read on to discover what we consider to be the best rugs for pets.
The Best Rugs for Pets: Materials
Choosing the right material is pivotal when picking out your ideal pet-friendly rug. Here’s what we recommend:
Wool rugs. Exceptionally durable and soft under feet, wool rugs are an excellent choice for households with pets. One caveat: they do tend to be more expensive, so if you’re worried about your pet ruining the rug (like if you have an untrained puppy, for example!), you may want to try another material.
Washable rugs. Our one-piece washable rugs were specifically developed with pets in mind. (And kids, and anyone else who tends to spill and make messes!) From traditional to modern styles, our collection includes so many pieces designed to fit in flawlessly with your home, while being as easy to clean as possible. Seriously—just throw them in the wash, and they’re good as new! Read more about our washable rugs and how to care for them here.
Synthetic rugs. Rugs made of synthetic materials like polypropylene, nylon, or polyester are another amazing, pet-friendly option. They’re durable, have a soft pile that feels comfy underfoot, maintain their color over time, are super easy to clean, and (usually!) have a price that can’t be beat.
Cotton flatweaves. Sometimes, it seems like there’s nothing cotton can’t do. Most of our cotton rugs are flatweave styles, meaning they don’t have a pile—which makes them both remarkably durable and easy to clean.
Indoor/outdoor rugs. We call all of our rugs made for the great outdoors “indoor/outdoor” rugs—and this is why! Because while they can stand up to the elements outside, their durability means they can weather the wear-and-tear that happens inside households with pets, too.
The Best Rugs for Pets: Color, Pattern, and More
Now that you’ve read everything you need to know about materials and rugs for pets, here are a few other things to consider that will help you choose your perfect rug:
Be strategic with your pattern. Busier patterns, as seen on traditional or abstract styles, will help conceal lingering stains and hide fur if your pet is a shedder.
Coordinate colors. If your pet does shed, and you want to reduce what shows up on the rug, try choosing a color that’s in the same family as the color of your pet’s fur. Meaning, creams, light grays, or other light-washed hues for pets with white fur, or blacks or dark grays for pets with darker fur.
Roll out a rug pad. As always, you’ll want to protect both your rug and your floors with a rug pad. We recommend using our Pet-Friendly Non-Slip Grip rug pad, which will help keep your rug securely in place.
What to Avoid—or at Least Think Twice About
Jute and sisal rugs. While these styles are extremely durable (and often wallet-friendly!), they also tend to be absorbent and therefore more difficult to clean if your pet makes a mess or has an accident.
Shag rugs. Shags feel so nice under bare feet, but their high pile means dirt gets trapped easily and makes them tougher to clean up accidents than low-pile styles. Shags that are in high-traffic spaces can also get matted down over time, so we’d stay away from putting them in a place where your pets will be running around often. And you know how they can get during playtime!
Silk rugs. Silk rugs have such a gorgeous sheen and elegance to them. But their delicate construction makes them a less-durable option for a home with pets.
Rugs with looped piles. What is a looped pile, you might ask? It’s when the pile on the rug isn’t cut after construction and forms loops on the ends. It makes for a super plush rug, but these loops provide the perfect spot for your pet’s nails to snag and potentially cause injury.
Tassels. Tassels on rugs add such fun detail to a space! But sometimes they can be a little too tempting for your pet to ignore, and if ingested, can become a safety hazard. If you want tassels on your rug, we’d stick to those that are one inch or less in length.
We’re here to provide guidance and advice, and if your heart is set on a particular style outlined above, then go for it! Just be aware you may need to replace the rug sooner, or may have some difficulties cleaning up accidents and messes. (More on cleaning below!)
Cleaning 101
Accidents happen, and we’re here to help! Here’s what to do when your pet makes a mess.
First things first: deal with accidents ASAP! The minute you see a mess on your rug, stop what you’re doing and clean that thing up! The longer you wait, the more opportunity for the mess to soak into the rug and cause permanent damage.
Blot, don’t rub. Grab a white cloth and gently dab at the stain to get up as much liquid as possible before applying a cleaning solution. And definitely don’t rub at it! This could force the mess further into the rug and make it more difficult to get out. For next steps on cleaning your rug, check out our thorough cleaning guide here!
Vacuum regularly. This one seems like a no-brainer, but the best way to keep your rugs looking sharp is to get up all that fur, dirt, and dust often and to not let it mat down the rug. (Read more about best practices for vacuuming rugs here!)
For a quick fix, lint roll! Lint rollers are great for getting fur off clothes, furniture, and rugs. If you’re in a pinch, or don’t want to break out the vacuum, give your rug a quick roll for an easy clean. Pssst: Regularly brushing your cat or dog will help with fur control, too!
Top photo features our Double Diamond Lattice Shag rug in white. Photo by @rachelmrudy.
