Pets love carpets!
Like us, they love the convenience of the carpet compared to other flooring types. Carpets also help insulate a cold floor.
But caring for a carpet and pets make some pet owners shy to mix the two. Though, with the right carpet, you can enjoy both.
What differentiates one carpet from another?
Several features can help you categorise different carpet types. There's colour, durability, fabric, texture and carpet construction. The last one defines the way the fibres are attached to their backing.
Carpet features alone can't guarantee you the right option. You need to factor in your pet's use of the carpet and its maintenance.
Here are some tips on what you should expect from a pet-friendly carpet.
Choose A Carpet That's Stain-Resistant
If you own a pet, this is a non-negotiable rule. You need a stain-resistant carpet that will repel spills, liquids, oils, and dirt.
Luckily, stain-resistant carpets have a chemical finish that gives them their ability.
Not all of the carpets are synthetic. There are some natural stain-resistant carpet fibres. Wool is an excellent example of this carpet type. It can repel both oil or liquid.
Though, it's an expensive investment for installing in places like the living room.
Luckily, there are other budget-friendly options. Nylon, polyester and olefin are three of the most common.
To ensure you get the most of your stain-resistant carpet:
- Avoid fabrics that your pest is allergic to;
- Get tile carpets that are easier to clean than wall-to-wall carpets;
- Look for carpets, which are bleach-cleanable.
Choose the Right Pile Carpet
Cats and dogs like to scratch and claw at carpets. But this can damage the carpet permanently.
To avoid this situation, opt for a cut pile carpet rather than a loop pile carpet.
Pile refers to the carpet construction that makes up the cushy, soft carpet surface. So, a cut pile is made by cutting the fabric loops to expose the carpet ends. The carpet comes in different textures and thickness.
It's easy to identify a cut pile carpet from:
- The shape: it's twisted;
- Durability;
- It shows tracking from footprints and the vacuum.
Examples of cut pile pet-friendly carpet types are Frieze and Saxony.
Match the Colours and Patterns
Pets shed hair and track dirty paw marks. That's why you need a carpet with colours that will either hid or match the pet.
While paw marks aren't visible on a dark carpet, light fur is.
But a carpet that matches the colour of the pet's fur can minimise the visibility of the fur. However, it's not an excuse not to vacuum the carpet.
Put a Water-Resistant Underlay
A water-resistant carpet underlay protects your covered flooring material from damage.
It prevents damage from regular dampness, thus preventing the growth of bacteria and mould.
Carpet underlays act as a barrier that protects your flooring from moisture like pet pee. It prevents liquids from seeping to the flooring underneath and also vapour from rising to the carpet.
But for it to work as it should, you need to secure it well.
The longevity of your carpet depends on how well you care and maintain it.
Care starts with proper hygiene.
You need to clean your carpet often to ensure it maintains the quality. Aside from that, fix any loose threads on the carpet. It will prevent accidents from the claws.
Conclusion
A pet-friendly carpet can help minimise the damage that can happen to ordinary carpets. As a pet owner, it's important to invest in the right carpet type to last you for a long time.
