When you put carpet down in your home, you likely solicit opinions from a wide range of sources: your family, your friends, and even your neighbors. But did you ever think about asking your pet?
After all, your pet will spend more time digging into your carpet than any other member of the family, so it only makes sense that they get a say. It becomes especially important as your pet ages, as you don’t want their aching bones to be put under more stress than is absolutely necessary.
In the reviews below, we’ll take a look at a few of our favorite carpets for pets. The selections on this list are all safe and comfortable for animals, while also being attractive and easy for owners to take care of.
The manufacturer claims that the GORILLA GRIP Original is the “softest rug you’ll ever own”, and while we can’t speak to that, we can say that it is pretty soft. Your pet will love to lay on it, and it’s a good choice for senior pets or those with joint issues.
It’s actually a rug rather than carpet, so you can pick it up and put it wherever you want. There are tiny grip dots on the underside that do an excellent job of keeping it in place while minimizing any slipping or sliding.
The long, faux chinchilla fabric does a great job of trapping warmth, making this rug an excellent choice for cold climates. You’ll enjoy walking on it in bare feet as much as your pet will love laying on it.
It’s also machine washable, so if your pet claims it as their own, you won’t have to live with looking at a ton of trapped pet hair. You can also vacuum it, but it often gets sucked up inside the machine, so you’re better off just throwing it in the washer.
If you want a convenient, portable way to keep your pet warm and comfy, the GORILLA GRIP Original is the best way that we’ve found to do it.
If making your pet feel at home is your top priority, the Amdrebio Grass Green will cause them to think that they’re lounging in the backyard — while still enjoying your air conditioning, of course.
The whole thing looks like a patch of grass, so many pets will take to it immediately. It’s not the most attractive option, though, and you’ll have to be careful that your pet doesn’t treat it like grass, if you catch our drift.
It’s an incredibly budget-friendly option, though, and we think that it’s the best carpet for pets for the money. You can buy several and put one in every room that your pet frequents without going broke.
The fabric is designed to not shed or fade, so it will stay bright and vibrant for as long as you own it. It’s also a mirror image of the GORILLA GRIP Original, as it can easily be vacuumed but isn’t machine washable.
If you’re willing to put up with having what looks like a patch of turf in your home, the Amdrebio Grass Green is actually a fantastic rug for pets.
If your pet’s tastes tend to be more sophisticated, then the Persian-Rugs T1007 is a fantastic high-end choice.
It has an abstract layout, giving it the feel of a piece of art rather than a chunk of carpet for your pet to lay on. There are three color patterns to choose from, but they’re all fairly dark, so they should hide dirt and fur well.
The fabric is stain-resistant as well, so if your pet makes a mess, it shouldn’t completely mar the carpet. That also comes in handy if you have kids in the house (or if you’re clumsy yourself).
Of course, high-end beauty will warrant high-end prices, and this isn’t a cheap rug. It’s also thin, especially for the price, so older pets may need something with a little more cushion.
Still, if beauty is your primary concern, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more attractive option than the Persian-Rugs T1007.
You’ll just want to lay right down on the LOCHAS Indoor Modern the first time you see it, and your pet likely will too. It’s thick, fluffy, and incredibly comfortable.
The top layer is made of velvet with a thick cushion underneath, giving soft comfort for both your feet and your aging pet’s bones. However, you’ll sink a bit into it, so pets that have problems getting up may struggle on it.
There are over 20 color options to choose from, so you can definitely find one that matches your existing décor. However, make sure whichever color you choose hides dirt well, because this thing is a pain to clean.
It’s also fairly small, so if you have a giant breed dog, for example, you may need to order a couple to keep them comfortable. Luckily, these things are affordable.
The LOCHAS Indoor Modern is one of the most comfortable carpets on this list, but that comfort comes with a price, as it has several flaws that you should be aware of.
The Merelax Soft Modern is a thick rug sporting a 2-inch pile, so it definitely offers squishy comfort. You’ll likely enjoy walking on it as much as your pet does.
It’s also quite large, with the biggest option checking in at 6’ x 9’. You can cover quite a bit of floor with it, and it’s a great place for multiple pets to stretch out together.
We wouldn’t advise placing it on a hardwood or tile floor, though, as it can be quite slippery. It’s better served as a way to make existing carpet even more comfortable, which limits its utility somewhat. All that pile also traps a ton of pet hair, and it’s difficult to get out even with a powerful vacuum.
However, there’s no denying its comfort, so if you just want to make your pet happy, the Merelax Soft Modern is an excellent choice.
Pros
Thick and soft
Great for multi-pet households
Cons
Not ideal for tile or hardwood floors
Slips around
Traps a ton of pet hair
Hard to clean
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Carpets for Pets
There’s more to buying carpet than simply picking the fluffiest option you see, and that’s even more true when you have a pet at home. Unfortunately, most people have no idea what to look for when shopping for pet-friendly carpet, and that can cause them to make a poor buying decision.
In the guide below, we’ll walk you through important questions to consider before you buy.
What Are the Most Important Factors to Consider When Shopping for Pet-Friendly Carpet?
There are many things to keep in mind, but the most important are generally stain resistance, comfort, and durability.
Pets are messy creatures, and they can do a number on your carpeting. Whether it’s tracking mud through the house or having an accident because they couldn’t get outside in time, a stain-resistant carpet will help hide the evidence of any mistakes that were made. You should also strive to find one that’s easy to clean.
Comfort is fairly self-explanatory, and it’s a factor that you’ll enjoy as much as your pet. If you’re laying carpet down in order to keep your pet from climbing on the furniture or something like that, though, then you’ll want to ensure that the rug is the more attractive option.
Finally, you want to make sure whatever carpet you buy is going to last. Pets are notoriously hard on carpet, and they can turn your new rug into a bunch of worn-out threads in no time. Look for something thick and well-made that can stand up to some abuse.
There are certainly other factors to consider, like how well the carpet matches your existing décor and how well it stays in place, but any search should start with the factors above.
Is There Anything I Don’t Want?
Unless you’re a complete daredevil, white carpets and pets are a poor match. Pets can turn a pristine white carpet into a dingy gray mess in a matter of days—and that’s not taking into consideration all the damage that you’ll do to it.
Be careful what kinds of fabric you bring home. For example, loop carpets are generally a bad idea because they can snag your pet’s nails, which will likely end with either your pet’s claw or the carpet getting damaged.
Extremely thick shag can be a nightmare as well. Pet hair, dirt, and dander can all get trapped in the shag, and you may never get it out, no matter how powerful your vacuum cleaner is. It’s especially bad for owners with allergies for that reason.
If you’re buying a rug instead, make sure it will stay in place properly. You don’t want your pet slipping all over the place every time they step on it, as that could potentially injure them (and you could be hurt too). Look for something with grips on the bottom.
My Pet Is Very Old. Does That Affect the Type of Carpet That I Need to Buy?
It can, yes. Buying carpeting for older pets requires a delicate balancing act between cushioning and support.
You don’t want anything too thin, as your senior pet’s bones and joints likely don’t respond well to hard surfaces. There needs to be enough padding between them and the floor to keep them comfortable.
However, you don’t want them sinking into a super-plush carpet either. That can make it difficult for them to get up once they lay down, and it may throw their balance off, causing them to tense up. This will only put more pressure on their sensitive spines.
You’ll also probably want to find an option that’s extremely warm. Cold is murder on arthritic joints, so your aging animal will probably seek out the warmest surfaces possible.
Image Credit: Smit, Shutterstock
Why Should I Put Carpet Down at All?
There are several benefits to carpet, especially for pet owners.
Carpet is extremely comfortable, especially when compared to hardwood or tile. Adding fabric to your floors will give your pet a variety of comfy places to lay down—and that can mean that they leave your bed alone.
It’s easy to clean and hides dirt and hair well, or at least certain carpets do. All you have to do is vacuum or wash it occasionally, no sweeping required. You also don’t have to deal with the balls of loose fur that accumulate on hardwood and tile.
Carpet is a non-slip surface, so you don’t have to worry about your pet wiping out while running around the house. Not only can it save your furry friend some pain, but it may also save you from having to pay a massive vet bill as well.
Speaking of pets running around the house, carpet dampens sound. If your pet decides that 3 a.m. is the perfect time to run full-speed through the living room, you’re much less likely to wake up if you’ve got carpet on the floor.
Should I Get Carpet or Rugs?
That depends largely on what you’re trying to accomplish.
If you want to cover every available bit of floor with fabric, then you’ll want wall-to-wall carpeting. This is expensive, but it’s also attractive and luxurious. It will make your entire home comfortable.
However, if you just want to break up some of that flooring with islands of fabric, rugs are an excellent choice. They can make a room pop, and they’re much less expensive than carpeting. You can also replace them if they get damaged, without going bankrupt in the process.
Rugs also give you the opportunity to dictate where your pet will lay down. With carpeting, they can pick any spot in the house, which means they’ll often lay down in a place that’s directly in your path. You can put the rugs in places that are out of the way, reducing the risk that you’ll trip over your pet.
You can also place several rugs together to replicate many of the advantages that carpet offers while still retaining the benefits of rugs. Overall, rugs are definitely more versatile, but carpeting is more attractive.
Conclusion
Made of soft, faux chinchilla fur, the GORILLA GRIP Original is our favorite pet-friendly carpet. It’s incredibly warm and stays in place well, so you may just be tempted to curl up next to your pet after you lay it down.
The Amdrebio Grass Green is another excellent choice, as it’s affordable and easy to clean. Your pet will feel like they’re rolling around in the most comfortable grass in the world.
Picking out a carpet that both you and your pet will enjoy is a difficult task, and we hope that these reviews have made it a little easier. Ultimately, any of the options above will represent a large upgrade over the bare floor, so your pet will undoubtedly be thrilled with whichever one you bring home.
In fact, they may love it so much that they’ll leave a little present on it for you.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
