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The Ultimate Pet-Friendly Rugs Guide For Pet-Owners
If you are a pet owner, let us start by saying how lucky you are! To be a roomie with a pet is a big joy; however, it comes with responsibilities. If you share your apartment with a furry friend, you might know that peds – especially dogs – and area rugs do not quite get along. You might feel overwhelmed by encountering animal hair, stains, and dirt on your rugs or seeing scratches on your floor. Here is the good news, though! We can help you find pet-friendly rugs that will make you and your pet happy and comfortable. Keep reading to learn everything about pet-friendly rugs so that you can enjoy the company of your lovely animal friend without thinking about your rugs all the time.
What to Consider
There are various elements you should give attention to while choosing pet-friendly rugs. Here is the list of the things you should consider:
Material
The first thing you should think about is the material of your rug. Stain-resistant, easy to clean, and durable materials are ideal for pet owners. Accordingly, you should prefer one of the following rug materials to have pet-friendly rugs:
Wool: One of the most favorable alternatives is wool rugs which are good at resisting dirt and stains as well as highly durable. Wool is less likely to absorb liquids and dirt, making it an excellent choice for pet owners to spend less time cleaning rugs.
Cotton Flatweaves: Cotton is another natural rug material ideal for pet owners. Most cotton rugs are flatweave styles, making it easier to clean them. Moreover, cotton rugs are highly durable, meaning they can resist wear and tear.
Outdoor Rugs: As they can withstand outside conditions, outdoor rugs are also suitable for pet owners. They are really good at resisting water and stains, making them a wise choice as pet-friendly rugs. Moreover, outdoor rugs are generally machine washable, allowing you to ease your cleaning routine.
Washable Rugs: There are some rugs durable enough to be washed frequently. These washable rugs will save you from consuming time and energy with cleaning. This way, you will be worried about dirt carried inside by your friends' paws.
Synthetic Rugs: Nylon, polypropylene, and polyester are the most common synthetic area rug materials that are highly durable and easy to clean. Also, they are among budget-friendly rug alternatives in the market. Last but not least, most synthetic rugs are machine washable, which means you do not have to spend time with a detailed cleaning routine for these rugs.
All the above materials are among the market's most preferred area rug options. Accordingly, you can easily find pet-friendly rugs that are suitable for your budget as well as home design.
- Color and Pattern
When choosing the color of your rug, you should consider your pet's fur. Thus, the rug's color should be closer to the color of your pet's hair as much as possible. Also, darker-colored rugs are better at hiding the effects of wear and tear.
When it comes to pattern, it is always better to opt for patterned rugs, which will make dirt and stains less visible. However, note that confusing patterns might make your pet feel uncomfortable. Hence, it would be better to prefer rugs with simple patterns, like contemporary or modern styles.
- Pile
Low-pile rugs are easier to clean and less likely to be noticed as a place to hide things. Although fluffy and tall-pile rugs feel great under the feet, they are not easy to clean and maintain, especially if you have pets.
- Size
Larger-sized rugs are perfect for big rooms; however, they are harder to clean and maintain compared to smaller size rugs. Also, if your large rug is damaged beyond repair, changing it with the new one might be really costly. With a smaller size, you will not feel like it is a big loss, even if it is damaged. For bigger rooms, you might prefer two smaller-sized rugs.
- Shape
Regarding the shape of a rug, you are free to choose whatever you want. However, if you want to use a rug that your pet will also love, we recommend you to check rounded rugs that pets love to snuggle down on them. This way, you can also determine a special place to enjoy the day for your pets.
- Non-Slip Rugs
Rugs can often be slippery, especially when there is a playful pet in the house. These easily movable rugs are dangerous for you and your furry homie because they can cause house accidents. Besides, if your rugs are slippery, they will tend to wear off quickly and cause scratches on the floors. For these reasons, we recommend you prefer non-slip rugs by which you can eliminate all these risks and create a safe environment for you and your pet.
What to Avoid
There are certain types of rugs you should specifically stay away from. The list of rugs that cannot be defined as pet-friendly is as follows:
- High-Pile Rugs: Pet hair and dirt can easily get lodged into the high piles and become harder to clean.
- Fringed Rugs: Frilly exteriors of fringed rugs are perfect toys for your pets, so you should stay away from fringed rugs that can be damaged easily.
- Shag Rugs: Although shag rugs are really comfy and stylish, their materials are not suitable for homes with pets because they can quickly get dirty, and pets might want to chew them.
- Jute and Sisal Rugs: These rugs are made from plant-based materials and are likely to absorb liquids more easily, making them hard to clean alternatives.
- Vintage Rugs: We highly recommend you to pass on vintage rugs because they require special cleaning and are more delicate than many rug types.
- Silk Rugs: No matter how elegant they are, there is no doubt that silk rugs are not suitable for the homes of pet owners. Silk rugs are both expensive and delicate, making them nearly the worst idea to have in your home with your pets.
Now that you have all the information you need about pet-friendly rugs, you will not feel that you have very limited pet-friendly area rug options suitable for your unique style. If you follow the guide we have prepared for you, you will enjoy the time with your furry friend in your lovely home without concerning about the condition of your area rugs!
If you need some more tips about area rugs, feel free to read our following posts:
How to Choose the Best Materials for Rugs