Pet owners are well versed in the idea of comfort. They pay attention to their loving pets like they’re family and know that their comfort is just as important as the rest of the household members. This is why most pet owners prefer to have carpeted homes – they’re cozy for humans and pets. This might leave you wondering, what is the best type of carpet for pets?
A beautiful, clean carpet can be both a focal point in your home and a place to relax and play with your furry sidekicks. When it comes to installing a new carpet in your home, you’ll need to be specific in your search if you plan on sharing it with one of your cuddly friends. Cats and dogs can quickly wreak havoc on carpeting! It’s not just accidents you need to keep in mind though. Even well-trained animals can cause issues by using their sharp claws on the carpet’s tender threads, by getting sick on the floor, or simply by shedding on it.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the best type of carpet for pets and the top five things to keep in mind when carpeting hunting.
Once you’ve decided on your carpet, it’ll be important to build a maintenance plan for keeping it in tip-top shape. We strongly suggest having your carpets cleaned professionally at least twice a year if you have pets. At the Blind Carpet Cleaner, we specialize in carpet cleaning services for residential, commercial, and industrial sites. Our steam technology kills 99% of germs, bacteria, and toxins, including anything coming from your best furry pal. Our team is composed of highly experienced carpet cleaning professionals that can help you extend the life of your carpet, and keep your home safe for the whole family.
Five Things to Keep in Mind When Getting a Carpet for Your Pet
1) Stain Resistance
Cats will be cats. Dogs will be dogs. And even the best behaved, sweetest pets are still animals. There will be an accident on your carpet whether you predict it or not. It might not be urine, but it could be mud, food, or dozens of other unpleasant treasures brought to you by your pet. As such, stain resistance is a key feature to think about when buying your new carpet.
Technically speaking, most stain-resistant carpets are made from 100% polypropylene. These carpets are often referred to as Olefin. They are made of a synthetic fiber that can closely resemble wool but without the hefty price tag.
Polypropylene/Olefin is hydrophobic, which is a fancy way to say, it doesn’t absorb liquid. In fact, not even bleach will damage this material. This is a fantastic option for accident-prone homes.
If you prefer the organic route, wool is a great option. It’s of natural origin and incredibly comfortable – but it won’t offer as much stain resistance. However, what it lacks in stain-fighting power, it makes up for in durability. More on that later.
A great mid-range option is nylon. It’s the best of both worlds. It’s durable like wool and can handle accidents well when treated immediately. Your decision on carpet fiber will be based on your budget and the style you like best. Nylon tends to be the most popular choice due to its moderate pricing, variety of colours and patterns available, and general toughness.
2) Durability
All beloved pets have their own quirks and strange habits. Cats often love to scratch at fabric and high-spirited dogs will dig in their claws during playtime. As such, durability should be a factor you consider when selecting the best type of carpet for pets in your household.
We highly advise that you look for carpets that are rated as “extra heavy” or “extra heavy domestic”. These types of carpets are designed to “stay together” under duress. They’re able to withstand the play fighting, running, and light clawing your pets may be into.
Another suggestion to improve durability is to consider installing high-quality carpet pads under your carpet. Carpet pads are wonderful for many reasons including the fact that they create a softer feel on your floor – which is great for both you and your pets.
Moreover, a carpet pad makes cleaning your carpet a lot easier. Without a carpet pad, your vacuum actually raises the carpet slightly when it sucks up dirt. A carpet pad keeps your carpet locked down, ensuring that you’re not pulling up the fabric and all of the allergens/pet hair that’s stuck in it. Carpet padding also reduces the sound of movement on your floor so if you have active pets that love to run around, you’ll be doing your neighbour’s a huge favour. It’s important to look for a carpet pad that has a breathable moisture barrier so that if there are accidents in your house, they don’t soak through the carpet and into the subfloor of your home. The carpet pad protects the foundation.
In terms of durability, we suggest installing carpet pads and then a carpet made from nylon fibers. Wool carpets are also very durable but can be quite expensive. Olefin is the most economic option but this type of material will be the first to tear, as it’s not as durable as the other suggestions. Nylon is affordable, stain-resistant, and very durable.
3) Pile
Carpet pile refers to the surface loops on a carpet and is an important thing to keep in mind when shopping around.
There are two types of piles – “high pile” and “low pile”:
Low pile carpeting features fibers that are shorter and tighter. This is sometimes also called “loop carpeting” because the carpet threading pattern comes up from the bottom and then loops back under.
High pile carpeting features fibers that are taller and looser. This is sometimes also called “cut carpeting” because the loops are cut at the top to give the carpet a plush feeling.
So which style is better for a home with pets? While each has its pros and cons, both in terms of comfort and look, we recommend high pile carpeting for pets.
The reason we don’t recommend loop carpets is that they’re literally made of loops. Animals gravitate towards them as scratching posts. Not only does this invite your carpet to be destroyed, but it can also hurt your pet’s tender paws.
In terms of hair, high pile rugs are indeed more likely to catch hair. However, because their fibers are cut, they’re much easier to vacuum, giving clear access to the bottom of the rug. High pile rugs end up being much easier to maintain.
Now that you know that the best type of carpet for pets is stain-resistant, durable (made with nylon or wool), and has a high pile, let’s discuss colours and patterns.
4) Colours and Patterns
While we always want you to choose the pattern and colour of your carpet dreams, we do have a couple of suggestions to steer you in a more pet-friendly direction. When selecting your style, you want to think about what kind of colours are best for covering accidents, the presence of fur, and any other imprints your furry friend will inevitably make.
While your instinct might be to get a darker carpet to keep fur less noticeable, this isn’t a good idea if you have a white or light-coloured pet. We suggest that you get a carpet that’s a similar colour to your pet so that pet hair is not as visible to the naked eye.
In terms of patterns, run wild! Carpets that have repeating patterns and a combo of different colours can help disguise stains and pet hair.
Regardless of the colours and patterns you choose, the most important thing is that you’re regularly cleaning and caring for your carpet. After all, the best type of carpet for pets is a clean one.
5) Have the Right Tools on Hand
To keep your carpet in prime shape, you’ll need to master your carpet cleaning skills. Once you’ve decided on your carpet, you should make sure you’re well-equipped to care for it in your pet-friendly home.
Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum – We recommend everyone vacuums at least once a week. When you have a pet, you should consider vacuuming twice a week. If your whole family is working/learning from home this season, and there are a couple of furry babies around, you may want to consider vacuuming highly trafficked areas daily. This is the quickest way to ensure you’re not spreading bacteria around the house.
Invest in a top-rated vacuum like the Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum. Dyson is one of the most reputable brands out there and this specific model features a “Tangle-Free Turbine Tool”, an attachment that sucks up pet hair without tangling it into knots. If you’ve used a cheap vacuum on pet-dwelling rugs, you’ll know that it inevitably knots up and gets stuck in the mechanics of your vacuum. Save yourself future headaches and invest in a good vacuum cleaner.
Groom your pets – If you have a pet that sheds constantly, it’s important to brush them regularly to get as much of the hair out in one swoop. We suggest that you don’t groom your animals inside your home. Instead, take them to the yard or the park and give them a good brushing. They’ll be happier and your carpet will thank you.
Keep your pet’s nails trimmed – We all know how much cats love to sharpen their nails on fabric, and we’re all familiar with a dog getting the zoomies on a carpet. Both instances can severely damage your carpet fibers if your pet has long nails. It’s imperative to keep their claws in check with regular trimmings.
If you have a cat, we recommend getting a scratching post to itch their urges.
Clean paws, clean claws – We strongly recommend that all humans take their shoes off before stepping on your carpet. Your cats and dogs don’t have shoes so it’s important to give their paws a quick clean if they’ve been outside. Keep a towel at the door and give them a rub when they’re entering the home.
Additionally, give your pets frequent baths to keep any pesky smells off the carpets.
Create designated animal spaces – Even though you’ve chosen the best type of carpet for pets, it’s important to identify any areas where you might need a little bit more protection. For example, if you plan on feeding your pets on a carpeted space, we suggest you put down a mat to avoid consistent spills that may get sucked into the carpet.
Spot clean – Regardless of your carpet choice, when accidents do happen, make sure to clean the stain as soon as possible.
Urine is one of the most common and difficult stains to treat. Here’s our recommended recipe for getting it out: Absorb the urine with a couple of layers of paper towels. Next, mix up a solution of 2 cups of vinegar, 2 cups of warm water, and 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Shake it up in a spray bottle and spray the soiled carpet. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then blot with a clean cloth. Repeat if necessary.
Book regular professional cleaning – If you have pets, once a year is the bare minimum but we strongly suggest having your carpet cleaned at least twice a year. If you’re not sure what kind of cleaning is best for your home, contact us to discuss what’s best suited for your particular carpet.
The Blind Carpet Cleaner is here to help you with all of your carpet cleaning needs. Our professional carpet cleaners will work hard and diligently to remove viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens, and our cleaning methods are safe for your pets and the whole family.
If it’s your first time with us, you can take advantage of our new carpet cleaning customer program. If after your cleaning, a persistent stain resurfaces on your carpets or you are not entirely satisfied – call us within five days of your last visit and we will be happy to resolve the problem.
We look forward to talking to you about your carpet and your furry loved ones!
