How To Choose a Pet-Friendly Rug

When you own pets, you face a constant internal struggle between picking the home décor that you want and knowing what happens to the décor at the paws of your furry friends. Any homeowner can tell you that carpet and pets don’t often mix—especially with young or senior pets.

While you may not have full carpet in your rooms, you shouldn’t let a pet stop you from decorating with a beautiful rug. Knowing how to choose a pet-friendly rug can save you from daily frustrations involving your fuzzy companions.

Choosing a Material

Before you start thinking about the color and design of your ideal, pet-friendly rug, you must consider what materials are best for you and your animals. Any rug material that handles foot traffic well and resists stains will fit into your household perfectly. Some of these materials may include:

Polypropylene

Rug materials composed of polypropylene or other synthetic fibers work flawlessly with pets and all the messes they can create. Stain-treated nylon, olefin, and Eurolon rugs look beautiful and protect themselves and your floors from pet-related accidents. They’re easy to clean and often come in affordable options if you’re on a budget.

Jute

Jute is a natural plant fiber that often comprises beautiful, braided rugs. It’s naturally hydrophobic and extremely durable. Stains won’t have a chance to settle, and you can use a vacuum to suck up any dirt that your pet brings in—even if it’s between the fibers.

Wool

Another naturally occurring, pet-resistant fiber is wool. Wool fibers, much like jute, will naturally repel water to prevent stains. These rugs are soft and easy to clean with pet stain removers or vacuums.

Remember that claws can still wear down both jute and wool rugs—make sure to correct your pet’s behavior if they start digging at your rug.

Choosing a Style and Color

If you own pets, you’ll quickly learn that belongings with long fibers—such as blankets and pillows—don’t last long before becoming dirty. The same goes for your rug or carpet. Long shag fibers aren’t good at hiding dirt and can make a rug difficult to clean after a pet mess. Search for short pile rugs if you own pets—they’ll last longer.

Loop-style rugs are another poor example for pet owners. Your animal’s claws can easily catch on the loops and create snags or hurt their paws. Cut pile rugs prevent snagging and keep your pet from hurting themselves or damaging your rug.

The color you choose for your pet-friendly rug should hide both dirt and animal hair. Pick a color that matches or blends well with your pet’s fur color and vacuum regularly to hide the remnants of a shedding animal.

Be sure to buy a rug pad and rug tape to protect your floor and give your animals traction as they run around the house. All indoor and outdoor rugs from Koecritz Rugs are easy to clean and work well with pet-friendly households. Let us help you make the ideal custom-made rugs for your spaces and choose a pet-friendly rug with the right materials, style, and colors.