What You Should Look For (and Avoid) When Shopping for a Pet-Friendly Rug — Plus 5 of Our Top Picks
If you’re torn between your love for your pets and your love of decorative rugs, we’ve got some good news: You can have both! You may think you have to sacrifice style for functionality, but it turns out that’s not the case. We’re here to help you navigate finding the right pet-friendly rug for your home, but before we start, there are three things you should keep in mind.
How to Pick the Perfect Rug for Pets
First, you’ll want to find a rug that’s durable and easily cleaned, so it’ll look new even after Fido gets his muddy paws on it.
It should have a low profile so your playful pets won’t do too much damage with their claws and teeth.
Finally, ideally it shouldn’t break the bank, since anything can happen when pets are in the house.
Types of Rugs to Avoid With Pets
Shag Rugs: Although we love them, shag rugs — those thick, fluffy rugs that almost look like fur — should be passed over when there are pets in the household. Lots of stuff can get stuck in such a plush, stringy material, and they’re easier for pets to chew on or claw at.
High-Pile Rugs: While they’re some of the most comfortable rugs around, rugs with a high pile (meaning they have tall fibers, resulting in a thick rug) get hair and dirt easily lodged into the crevices and can be tough to clean.
Fringed Rugs: Any rug with tassels or fringe is best avoided. Sure, they look nice, but those frilly exteriors are prime play toys for your pets.
Vintage Rugs: While extremely tempting for any design maven, it’s probably better to pass on vintage finds. They’re typically more delicate and can require special cleaning — not something you’ll want to be doing bi-weekly.
Now that we know what to look for (and what to steer clear of), let’s find you and your pet the perfect rug. Below, we rounded up the five best types of rugs you should look for to check off all of these boxes. We’ve also included stylish recommendations for each type, so you can get one step closer to finding a rug that your whole family can agree on. (For more of our favorite places to buy rugs, check out our guide, too!)
Note: Rug prices are listed for size 5′ x 8′ or similar.
