There’s nothing more adorable than living with pets, they really do make a house feel like a home. However, it does come with its fair share of challenges – I’m sure you’ve experienced some accidents, muddy paws and scratch attacks.
So, choosing flooring that is durable, resilient and easy to clean, is very important.
At first thought, LVT or Vinyl might seem like the more practical choice if you have pets, however, there are plenty of pet-friendly carpet options that can work for your household.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the key features to consider when selecting the best carpet for pets.
Types of carpet
The main two types of carpet pile are: cut pile and loop pile.
Cut Pile
Cut pile carpet is made by cutting the loops of the carpet fibres so that all of the threads have a flat surface.
This is the more common type of carpet as it has a soft, plush surface which creates a feeling of comfort underfoot.
This type of carpet usually requires less pet odour removal over time because there is a lower chance of the scent getting trapped.
Loop Pile
Loop pile carpet is the opposite to cut pile, as it is made by leaving the woven loops uncut.
This technique creates a durable and textured surface which provides an excellent resistance to stains and wear.
Which is the best carpet pile for pets?
Although loop pile carpets are more durable and therefore ideal for an active household, they aren’t great for four-legged friends.
The texture of loop pile carpets can act as the perfect scratching mat for your pets claws.
This will pull up the loops and weaken the threads, which, over time, can ruin the appearance of your carpet.
So for this reason, cut pile carpets are a better choice, they are easier to maintain and claws are a lot less likely to get stuck.
Which carpets are easiest to clean?
Whether your pets are prone to accidents, their fur sheds everywhere or they’re very curious and love to dig, having a stain-resistant carpet is essential.
Muddy paws and pet accidents can cause lasting damage and ruin your carpet, which is why you need to choose the right one and maintain it properly.
A good choice in homes with pets is synthetic carpets made from polypropylene because they have natural stain-resistant properties which makes them easier to clean than regular carpets.
These carpets can be cleaned with a diluted bleach solution which takes away the worry of mud and pet accidents.
How to know which colour carpet to get with pets?
The colour you choose for your carpet is entirely your choice, however there are a couple of considerations that you may want to think about.
The colour of your pets' fur
If you have a pet whose fur sheds a lot, it’s no surprise that you’ll have to hoover a lot.
But, if you don’t want the fur to show up as much, choose a carpet that’s similar to the colour of you pets’ fur. For example, if your pet has dark fur, you may choose a carpet that is a dark colour, like grey or brown.
However, in contrast to this, to make it easier to see when you need to hoover, you may choose to reverse this theory. For example, if your pet has dark fur, you may choose a carpet that is a light colour, like beige or cream.
Masking Stains
If you have a new puppy or a pet that isn’t yet toilet trained, they are going to have accidents and there will be stains. So, in this instance, a lighter colour carpet is probably not a good idea.
Darker carpet colours won’t hide stains altogether but they’ll make them a lot less noticeable .
So, overall, the best carpet for pets is synthetic carpets made from polypropylene because they are durable, stain-resistant and easier to clean.
When deciding between cut pile and loop pile, it is best to choose cut pile because they are less prone to damage and scratches.