Having a pet can mean that you have to make changes to your home. For example, ensuring that the flowers you have aren’t dangerous to them (i.e. like lilies are to cats), that they can’t easily hurt themselves, etc.
When looking at carpets that are pet-friendly, you will need to consider how hard-wearing they are, and how easy to clean the material is, and the carpet would ideally be low-maintenance. When making your choice, there is no need to sacrifice the aesthetic of your home, as there are some beautiful, yet durable, carpet choices available. The main factors to consider when making your choice should be material, pile and colour, which will be discussed in-depth in this guide.
Best (and Worst) Carpets For Dogs
When choosing a carpet for a home with a dog (or dogs), you will have to factor in the usual durability and stain resistance, but also the absorbency of the material. In terms of pile, dog owners will want a cut pile, as it will trap moulted furs that will only come up when vacuumed.
If you are looking for a natural material, wool would be a top-of-the-list choice. Wool has secured its place as a top contender as there is a protective waxy coating that the fibres have, making products made of wool more resistant to staining, as well as being anti-static naturally. Its hardwearing nature would make it a great option for your next carpet.
If you are looking for a cheaper, but also just as good alternative, synthetic or wool blends may be for you (and your wallet). Polypropylene is the most popular synthetic, as it is very pet-friendly and easy to clean.
If you’re into more natural flooring (as it is quite popular), it may not work for your home if you have a dog, but some will. Coir, for example, is a great choice, although it does not feel cosy or soft underfoot, it is extremely hardwearing. Its colour (a medium brown) is a great colour for hiding stains. It is also great at absorbing sound, which is always needed for dogs and their clicky paws. On the other hand, jute and seagrass are not recommended for pet owners as they are not hardwearing. Jute, in particular, is very absorbent, which is not ideal for those after-walk shakes on wet days.
Sisal is another material that has a great choice in colour and weave (meaning it is great for hiding stains). There is a downside though, which is that it is very tricky to clean. While there are ways to protect the carpet, it isn’t a permanent solution.
Best (and Worst) Carpets For Cats
Cats and dogs have slightly different needs with carpets. You must factor in the usual durability, stain resistance and ease of cleaning. However, one big factor when choosing a carpet with cats is the pile, as claws can get stuck in carpets very easily, which can be distressing for both pets and owners.
As discussed in the section above, wool would always be a top choice for a carpet choice with pets, due to its strong and durable nature. Wool has a protective waxy coating on its fibres that makes it more resistant to staining, as well as being anti-static naturally.
If you’re looking for a carpet that will be nicer to your wallet, a synthetic or wool blend may be more suited to your home. Polypropylene is pet-friendly and easy to clean, which is ideal for cat owners.
If you are looking for natural flooring, coir could be for you due to its extremely hardwearing and sound-absorbing nature. The only issue with coir is that it is not soft or cosy underfoot.
Other natural materials, like jute and seagrass, could be better suited to cat owners over dog owners but are still not recommended as they are not hardwearing. Sisal, another natural material, is super hardwearing, and its colour and weave variety can help to hide staining, but it is incredibly difficult to clean.
Even though a cut pile is better for cat claws, and will also trap moulted fur that will only come up when vacuumed, deep piles can also have benefits. If you have a cat allergy, but still have a cat, you have to be aware of their dander. Deep pile carpets will trap the dander and other dust particles until you vacuum it up. Regular deep cleaning is required with a deep pile to avoid flaring up allergies. A looped texture would be of benefit for those cats who like to scratch up your carpets too.
Choosing A Colour For Your Pet-Friendly Carpet
When considering what carpet colour you are going to pick, you may ask yourself ‘What colour carpet is best for pets?’. You will have to consider your pets when making your choice, but you can do that without sacrificing your aesthetic.
Consider Darker Colours to Mask Stains
- One of the main considerations is staining. People with animals will be able to tell you that staining of carpets is just part of the routine, so colour and pattern will be your saving grace. Dark colours will help in hiding staining over colours like beige or white. Patterns are the ultimate way to help hide stains, as the pattern will help to camouflage any spillages or unfortunate accidents.
- Choosing the right colour can feel daunting when considering your pets, but just use the rest of the space to guide your choice. If you want a lighter colour carpet, choosing one with a pattern will help you disguise any staining that will inevitably occur with pet ownership. If you are willing to go towards darker tones, sticking to darker browns and greys with a slight colour grain will go a long way to help disguise stains.
Choose Carpets that Blend with Pet Hair Colours
- A practical approach that you could take when choosing your new carpet is to choose a colour that matches closely with your pet’s fur colour, as this will help to hide shedding. If you identify the undertone of the hair of your pet, that will help to find the best match for a carpet colour. You could also mix and match carpet fibres to help in disguising the moulted fur, allowing you longer between vacuuming sessions as the pet hair will not be as visible.
- Colours that may be good to choose from are brown tones, grey tones, and beige tones (all depending on your pet’s colour). These tones are also versatile when trying to match up with existing interiors.
Which Carpets Are Easiest To Clean?
Cleaning carpets in homes with pets can be more difficult than in homes without, as fur and dander have to be considered. Some of the best cleaning materials are wool, synthetic mixes and synthetics, such as polypropylene. These materials are good as they are hardwearing, meaning that as long as they are cleaned correctly they won’t wear away when being cleaned.
Wool is beneficial as it has a naturally occurring waxy coating that makes it more resistant to staining. Other materials can have artificial protections added to the carpet, but they are not permanent.
If you ensure that you regularly clean your carpet on a surface level, like by vacuuming it, it will extend the need for deep cleaning, which will extend the life of the carpet.
Discover Pet-Friendly Carpets with Des Kelly
At Des Kelly’s, we have 50+ years of experience with carpets and will help you make the decision that will suit both the aesthetic and practical needs of your home. If you have any questions about pet-suitable carpets, you can contact us in-store or on our social media channels. We also offer a free measuring service if you are interested in getting a new carpet for your space.
