What Is Pet-Friendly Carpet?
Let's be honest: we'd do just about anything to make our pets comfortable and happy, even if they pilfer through the kitchen trash and drag messy remnants throughout the house or still can't seem to make it outdoors in time to do their business. Luckily for us, it's easier than ever to find a pet-friendly carpet that can weather whatever storms your sweet four-legged friends may bring its way.
In your hunt for the best pet-friendly carpet, you're really looking for a style and material that's durable enough to stand up to accidents, odors, and significant wear without compromising your own comfort. Keep your eyes out for solution-dyed fibers, which resist fading, as well as waterproof backing or pet-friendly carpet padding.
Appearance
Have you resigned yourself to the fact that being pet-friendly is a higher priority for your carpet purchase than its aesthetic? Well, we're happy to report that you can have both beauty and resilience! The key is picking the right style and fiber for your lifestyle's unique needs, whether that includes a pack of dogs, a clowder of cats, a colony of bunnies...you see what we're getting at here.
Pet-Friendly Carpet Styles
Walking into a carpet showroom may feel overwhelming when you get a look at the variety of styles available. Just keep in mind that some are more appropriate for your pet-filled home than others.
- Plush carpeting is an example of a traditional texture carpet that features cut pile that resists snags. The cushy surface is due to a tight weave and low profile, which does a great job of hiding the dirt and debris your dogs track in daily.
- Frieze carpet exemplifies a type of cut pile carpeting with casual texture. Its carpet strands are longer and lean to the side, which also happens to be its strongest surface. This relaxed structure is precisely what makes this style incredibly durable and less likely to flatten than pet-friendly carpet with traditional textures.
Top Petproof Carpet Fibers
The driving force behind pet-friendly carpet is the fiber material it's made from. The most effective petproof carpet options are generally synthetic fibers, like the following:
- Nylon - From a single pup to a houseful of pets and people, nylon stands up to almost any situation you throw at it. Its resistance to moisture means you don't have to worry about stains or odors if potty training goes awry.
- Polyester - On the hunt for a cat-friendly carpet that meets your tight budget? Though slightly less durable than nylon, polyester's moisture-repelling properties will give you peace of mind at an affordable price.
- Triexta - Like its cousin polyester, triexta also repels moisture, leaving you with stain- and odor-free carpeting that's surprisingly soft to the touch.
- Olefin - For carpeting that works well with pets and in an indoor/outdoor setting, olefin is your fiber. It's inherently fade resistant, plus it won't absorb moisture or odor, so it works beautifully on screened porches, patios, and in less-trafficked basements.
How to Maintain Pet-Friendly Carpet
We hate to say it, but outfitting your home with petproof carpet doesn't mean you're off the hook for maintenance! Thankfully, pet-friendly carpet options are easier to clean—it's just a matter of doing it. Start with weekly vacuuming to remove pet hair, dander, and dirt tracked inside from your furry friends' outdoor escapades. Depending on the height of your carpet, you may need to adjust the vacuum but reference your manufacturer's instructions first.
And while you're at it, identify what pet-friendly carpet cleaner or shampoo your manufacturer recommends. Having those cleaning solutions on hand will make it that much easier to handle the unexpected "gift" your critter leaves on the cat-friendly carpet overnight.
Lifespan and Installation
Now that you've taken the time to research your options and decide which pet-friendly carpet best meets your needs, how long can you expect it to last? Unfortunately, there's no hard and fast rule for calculating carpet life, but we can tell you what factors have the greatest impact.
To get the most from your new investment, you’ll want:
- A proper installation by skilled professionals
- To use high-quality materials, including pet-friendly carpet padding
- To keep up with routine maintenance, which includes vacuuming and treating spills according to the manufacturer's instructions
- To buy fiber materials and carpet styles that best suit the activity levels and traffic patterns of your pet-filled home
Before you make your final decision, discuss the warranty protection options available with your local Flooring America expert, who can ensure you're getting exactly what you need.
Pet-Friendly Carpet FAQs
- Is there a dog pee-proof carpet? Pee-proof carpet isn't a thing, but dog-friendly carpet sure is! There are synthetic fiber materials like polyester that are hydrophobic, which means that they guard against long-term damage from urine and other spills thanks to their natural moisture resistance.
- What type of carpet is best if you have pets? When shopping for the best pet-friendly carpet, consider cut pile styles with exposed ends rather than loops, which can easily snag on your pet's claws. And opt for a fiber that's either naturally resistant to both wear from nightly zoomies and stains from occasional accidents, or has been chemically treated.
- Does petproof carpet work? Pet-friendly carpets absolutely work, especially if you choose a fiber material and carpet style that best suits your household's unique needs. Several synthetic fibers, such as triexta and polyester, inherently resist water and other liquids so you can stress less when your new puppy hasn't quite mastered potty training. Some others, like nylon, are chemically treated to be petproof.
- What is the best carpet to have with dogs? Whether you've got rambunctious pups or sleeping giants, pet ownership comes with unexpected accidents, stains, and odors. Dog-friendly carpet will resist these. Look into a low pile cut carpet that's made up of solution-dyed synthetic material.
