No matter how much you love your pet, and how grateful you are to have them in your life, it’s hard not to occasionally feel jealous of your pet-free friends and the freedom they have in decorating.
Pets bring all sorts of benefits to our lives, from the simple fact of their adorable faces to actual health benefits, like lowered blood pressure and anxiety. But on the downside, bringing even the most well-behaved dog or cat into your household means you have to go through a process similar to baby-proofing.
Nothing edible, nothing toxic, nothing that will break your heart if it’s knocked over by a wagging tail or becomes the victim of a housebreaking failure or hairball… The list goes on. But since most of us wouldn’t trade our pets for the world, it definitely feels like a worthy compromise.
Luckily, if your room needs a rug to pull it together and give it that all-important cozy factor, you still have some options. Even if your pet is a brand new puppy with no idea how to behave itself, there are rugs out there that will both kick your living room decor up a notch and withstand the tornado that is puppy energy. Let’s talk about some of the best types of rugs to look for if being pet friendly is your number one priority!
1. Low Pile Rugs
The first thing you should look to avoid when it comes to pet-friendly rugs is materials that are thick, fluffy, and high pile. While a shag rug feels like a dream on your feet and gives off super cool 70s vibes, rugs with long, thick fibers are absolute magnets for dirt and debris.
Particularly if you have a long-haired pet, you probably learned pretty quickly how easy it is to end up with pet hair absolutely everywhere. No matter how religious you are about your cleaning rotation, it’s a truth universally acknowledged that every owner in want of a pet will be covered in dog or cat hair for the rest of their natural lives.
So avoiding rugs that tend to trap and accumulate pet hair is a must. Plus, if you have any friends or family members with pet allergies, replacing thick rugs with smoother flooring is one of the ways to cut back on their negative reactions when they visit. Thankfully, Tumble rugs are smooth and low pile, which prevents collection of dirt, dust, and pet hair, making them a perfect choice anyone with a four legged friend.2. Nothing Vintage
We’ve all been there; you’re strolling through a lovely little market lined with fascinating bits and bobs, and you stumble upon an amazing stall of vintage rugs at prices you can hardly believe. It’s exactly what you need to complete your living room decor, and it’s vintage, which makes it a cool and unique conversation piece to boot.
Unfortunately, if you have a pet, vintage is probably not the way to go. Not only is it likely irreplaceable if something damages it, but they tend to be more delicate in how they’re made. While vintage furniture and textiles may be built to last in a way that some fast-fashion options aren’t, they’ve already been around for quite a while. So not only are they more prone to catastrophic damage, but they likely require special cleaning to keep them looking their best.
If you have a pet, you’re going to want to be washing any soft furnishings in your house on a fairly regular basis, just to keep everything smelling and looking fresh. Rather than going vintage, choose something newer, easier, and more durable that gives you the same luxe, bohemian look of a vintage rug.
Our Amara in Indigo/Beige is a great option if you want something that looks like a treasured family heirloom with none of those high maintenance care needs.
3. Rugs With Busy Patterns
No matter how good you are at training your pet, and how careful you are around your rug, you’re probably going to spill something on it at some point.
Among other things, one of the best ways to guard against feeling like your rug is ruined by a small trouble spot every time you look at it is to select a rug with a busy pattern. The easier it is for your eyes to discern and predict the pattern of a rug, the more likely you are to notice anything that looks off from what’s expected.
Even a tiny stain on a single-color rug or a small snag on a simple rug with broad stripes may be noticeable. Your eye is more likely to be drawn to that spot, which will make it feel like more of an issue.
On the other hand, if you’re using something with a heavy pattern like our Sable in Silver/Multi, a tiny imperfection isn’t going to cause you much of an issue! It has so many beautiful shapes and colors in it, and the pattern overall is smaller and finer than alternatives with broader shapes and lines. A tiny stain will be basically imperceptible, so you can relax a bit next time your dog gets the zoomies and you’re just waiting for them to snag your rug.
4. Outdoor Rugs
If you’re a multi-pet household, or you just know that your pet is prone to being a bit messy, veering away from indoor rug options and instead looking at some outdoor rugs might be the way to go. Because outdoor rugs are designed to take a beating from the elements, rain or shine, they’ll definitely be equipped to stand up to even the wiliest and dirt-loving dog.
Not only will an outdoor rug be able to withstand some serious use, but it’s also made to maintain its look while doing it. While some indoor rugs may be made from sturdy enough stuff to outlast everything you and your pet can throw at it, if it isn’t designed to be mussed and then washed all the time, it’s likely to begin to fade and fray.
This will reduce the lifespan of your rug and lead to greater expenses over time, even if you look for more affordable options — even a cheap rug purchased yearly will become expensive over time. Outdoor rugs are built to last, and look good while doing it.
Look for rugs made from materials like polypropylene, olefin, jute, or nylon. In general, synthetic materials are going to be the way to go. Even if you don’t end up choosing an outdoor rug for your indoor space, finding an indoor rug made of similar materials may do the trick, too.
5. And the Winner Is…Washable Rugs!
This is the be-all, end-all of pet-friendly rugs, and lucky for you, we’ve got your back on this front. While finding a rug made of the right material and in the right pattern can go a long way toward minimizing any possible damage your dog or cat might do to your rug, it’s all basically a bandaid if your rug isn’t washable.
Most rugs need to be taken to the cleaners or washed through a long and annoying process outdoors — which is unthinkable at certain times of the year, particularly if you live in a cold climate. So what do you do if your great dane tracks a ton of mud over your beloved rug while it’s pouring rain outside and there’s no hope of giving your rug a good wash and you’re too busy to get it to the dry cleaner?
With a Tumble rug, all you need to do is pull the rug from its pad and toss it in the washing machine, like any other piece of laundry. Seriously — it’s that easy. And on top of that, Tumble rugs are spillproof, which means if your pet has an accident, or knocks something off of a table, even if it’s red wine, you’re not going to end up with a stain. You can simply wipe away the liquid and carry on with your day.
Using a washable rug also opens up your options. Where you might typically be uneasy about getting a plain, light-colored rug if you have a pet, even if it’s your dream rug, when it comes to our washable rugs, even something like our Tabor in Natural/Ash will withstand your pet’s worst day. Even if your pet is tidy, it’s good to have insurance — and washing your rug regularly can actually improve the air quality of your home.
Pet-Friendly Rugs for the Win
When it comes to selecting the best pet-friendly rugs, prioritizing stain-hiding patterns, low pile materials, and outdoor rugs can help keep your home looking and smelling clean and fresh, even with the most accident-prone of pets. But if you really want to ensure that your rug is up to the task, the best option is a washable and spillproof rug, so that you can relax knowing that no matter what trouble your pet gets into, your rug won’t get dragged into it.
Sources:
Understanding the Risks and Benefits of Pets | CDC
Allergic to Your Dog? | The Ohio State University of Veterinary Medicine
