What Are The Best Carpets for Pets?

Pets really do become part of the family, but having one also means a lot more planning has to go into designing your home. If you have a pet that sheds hair or likes to dig & scratch, it's essential to choose a durable, easy-to-clean and comfortable carpet for your furry friend. While wood flooring might seem like the easier choice when you have pets, we have plenty of pet-friendly carpets you can choose from. You need to strike a balance between choosing a carpet that can withstand the daily wear and tear of pets and one that fits into the overall aesthetic of your home. When choosing the right carpets for pets, it is important to consider the material (nylon is usually best), pile height (low-medium) and stain-resistance (again, nylon is extremely stain resistant).

Best Carpets For Dogs

When looking for dog-friendly carpets, you should ideally choose one that is both durable and stain-resistant. Our First Impressions carpet range is a great example — it's stain-resistant, bleach-cleanable, and built to withstand daily wear, making it an excellent choice for dog owners.

Low-pile carpets are ideal for managing dog hair as their shorter, tighter fibres make them easier to vacuum. The low pile height also reduces the risk of long-term hair buildup, which can lead to lingering odours.

We also recommend looking for a carpet with built-in odour resistance, no matter how well-behaved your dog is, they can still leave lingering smells over time.

When it comes to materials, there are a few that stand out as dog-friendly — Nylon and Polyester are your best bet. Nylon is the top choice due to its outstanding durability, resistance to wear from claws and rough play, excellent stain resistance (especially when treated), and ease of cleaning — all of which make it the perfect carpet material for homes with dogs.

Best Carpets for Cats 

When choosing the best carpet for cats, pile type is one of the most important factors to consider.  If you’re a cat owner, you already know they love to claw and snag anything they can get their claws on. That’s why cut pile carpets are your best bet —consistent clawing can quickly damage a loop pile carpet.

Beyond durability, cut pile carpets are safer for cats as their claws can get caught in the loops and cause injury.

Other key features to look for include stain resistance and anti-static properties, which help keep the carpet looking clean and fresh.

Our Burford Twist range is a great choice for cat owners. Its twist cut pile eliminates loops, helping prevent snagging and loose fibres. Made from 80% wool, 10% polypropylene, and 10% melt, it offers a perfect balance of softness, stain resistance, and durability—ideal for busy homes with pets.

Choosing A Colour For Your Pet-Friendly Carpet 

The colour of your carpet plays a big role in how well it hides stains, fur and everyday wear. Blended colours like taupe & greige hide pet hair, dirt, and stains better than very light or very dark carpets. Tones that match your pet’s fur will also help —warm neutrals work well for tan or light brown pets, while cool greys are ideal for those with grey, black, or white fur. 

Selecting the right carpet colour isn’t just about practicality—it also has a big impact on your home’s style. While it’s important to choose a carpet colour that will hide the everyday wear that comes with having pets, it’s equally important to choose a colour that complements your existing décor —your carpet should complement your furniture, wall colour, and overall style. A well-chosen carpet can help create a space that’s both pet-friendly and beautifully cohesive. For more help choosing colours in busy areas like stairs and landings, check out our guide on How to Choose the Best Colour for Your Stairs & Landing.

Choose Carpets that Blend with Pet Hair Colours

As we've previously mentioned, matching your carpet colour to your pet’s fur is a smart way to hide the appearance of shedding in between weekly cleans. To find the best match, take note of the undertones in your pet’s coat—whether it's warm (like golden, tan, or reddish hues) or cool (such as silver, grey, or charcoal). We recommend mixing and matching carpet fibres with subtle colour variations to find a blend that closely matches your pet’s hair.

Popular and versatile colour options include mid-tone greys, beiges, and taupe, which complement a wide range of pet hair colours. For a great selection of neutral tones ideal for pet owners, browse our Plains category  to find a carpet that suits both your space and your furry friend.

Our Habberley Ridge range has a wide range of neutral and cool tones, perfect for pets. Our Habberley Ridge range offers a versatile selection of neutral and cool-toned colours—such as soft greys, warm taupe’s, and gentle beiges—that are ideal for camouflaging pet hair and blending seamlessly with a variety of fur shades.

Consider Darker Colours to Mask Stains

In addition to matching your pet’s hair to carpet colour, opting for darker colour carpets is a great way to conceal stains and spills compared to lighter colours. Muddy paws and general wear that comes with having pets are less visible on darker coloured carpets, making maintenance easier than on lighter carpets that show dirt and stains.

However, when you are choosing darker colours that complement your bedroom’s overall theme to prevent overwhelming your space, rich greys, deep browns, or charcoal tones are ideal for adding warmth and depth to the room. For a balanced look, consider pairing a dark colour carpet with lighter walls, bed and furniture — this helps keep the space feel open and airy.

If you're a pet owner, you know the struggle of cleaning after your pet has rolled in mud or tracked in dirt, leaving messy paw prints across the carpet. That’s why you must choose a carpet that hides dirt but is easy to clean. We have a wide range of bleach cleanable carpets available at Des Kelly Interiors, such as our Ultimate Impressions range.

Carpets with shorter pile heights—like twist or cut-pile styles—are much easier to vacuum and trap less dirt, fur, and debris compared to plush or shag varieties. Look for stain-resistant carpets for dogs and cats, especially those with built-in protective treatments that repel moisture and prevent stains from setting in. When asking what carpets are easiest to clean, Synthetic fibres such as nylon and polypropylene stand out due to their durability and low maintenance. To keep your carpet looking its best, regular vacuuming, immediate spot-cleaning, and periodic deep cleaning are essential. For more tips, check out our blog  How to Clean Your Carpet in 7 Simple Steps and keep your floors fresh, no matter what your pets bring in.

Discover Pet-Friendly Carpets with Des Kelly Interiors

By choosing a durable, stain-resistant carpet in colours that hide fur and everyday mess, you can strike the perfect balance between practicality and design. Focus on low-pile options, easy-to-clean materials like nylon or polypropylene, and tones that complement your décor. With the right carpet, your home can stay beautiful, functional, and comfortable for both you and your pets. Here at Des Kelly Interiors, we have 50+ years of experience offering a wide selection of quality carpets to suit every space and budget. We offer a free home consultation service where we bring the showroom to you, helping you find the best choice for your space. Visit one of our 9 showrooms or contact us to talk to one of our expert staff who will help you find perfect carpet for your home.