The Best Rugs for Dogs – Top Dog Tips

There are many reasons why rugs are a good choice for your home. Most of all, they can soften the floor made of hardwood or tiles and keep the dirt off the floor, so you don’t have to clean it every day. However, dog owners know how dogs can wreak havoc on rugs and carpets by tracking dirt, mud, and other things they collect on their paws. They can chew or tug on it, shed their fur on the rug, pee on it, etc.

With all of that in mind, if you want to have rugs in your home, you need to choose more pet-friendly rugs that won’t succumb to your dog’s attacks as easily as ordinary rugs do. In this article, we will explain what qualities you need to look at and review the best rugs for dogs currently available.

How to Choose the Best Rugs for Dogs?

Material

When you look for a new rug, you can find many different fabrics, but not all of the fabrics are made to stand up to your dog’s abuse.

Materials like nylon, polyester, and olefin are durable and stain-resistant, but olefin is often prone to odors.

Some dog owners also go with rugs made from cowhide. This is a rare option, but it is good for pets because the cowhide texture can repel your dog’s hair.

It is also a very durable material.

Wool is also a good choice, although it is more expensive than synthetic materials like nylon and polyester.

Wool is easy to clean, but it is not as durable as these other materials.

In any case, stay away from fine materials like silk and rayon since they will not be able to survive your pet’s attacks for long.

Type of Backing

The rug’s material is not the only important thing – you also need to consider the rug’s backing.

Avoid rugs with glued-on backs, as well as rugs with tufted backs. Your dog’s urine can soak through the glue and ruin the rug permanently or at least create a strong odor you won’t be able to get rid of.

Tassels or Fringe

If you are a dog owner, it is smart to avoid rugs with tassels or fringe or any other loose threads since your pooch will have difficulty resisting chewing on them.

In fact, you should avoid these even with your curtains, blankets, and other fabrics in your home.

The problem here isn’t just the fact that your dog may ruin your rug – they also present a choking hazard for your canine and can cause intestinal blockage if he swallows them.

Pile

Pile is a term that describes the threads that make up a rug.

While it may not seem so important to you, it is actually a significant factor to consider since loop piles are more likely to get ripped up by your pooch than cut piles.

Another thing to consider here is whether to choose high-pile rugs or low-pile rugs.

High-pile rugs are more likely to trap your dog’s hair and dander, so remember to clean it often if you choose a high-pile rug.

Colors and Patterns

When choosing colors for your dog-friendly rug, you should go with dark colors since they will not get dirty as easily as light-colored rugs.

However, you also need to consider the color of your pooch, especially if he sheds heavily.

It is best to choose complex patterns instead of rugs with one or two colors as far as patterns go.

Your dog’s shed hair will not be so easily noticed against a busy and colorful background.

Size

The size of the rug is entirely up to you, the size of your home, and your budget.

However, it is also better to go with smaller rugs if you have a dog because it will be easier to roll them up and clean them and cheaper to replace them when necessary.

Indoors vs. Outdoors

Dog owners should look for outdoor rugs, even for indoor purposes.

While outdoor rugs may not be as stylish as indoor rugs, they are usually made from durable materials and can withstand vigorous cleaning and your dog’s potential abuse.

The Best Rugs for Dogs

Unique Loom Shag Collection Plush Area Rugs

This is one of the best rugs for high-traffic areas in your house, especially if you own a dog. It is waterproof, resistant to mildew and mold, stain-resistant, and doesn’t shed.

The rug is made from polypropylene, similar to olefin, and not the best material for pets. It also has jute backing, which is known to hold onto odors.

Perhaps that is the reason why some users complained about the odor when they received their rugs.

You can choose from many sizes and colors, but you should stick to dark colors since these rugs don’t have any patterns.

The rug is soft and plush but also not too high since it is only 1-inch thick. Cleaning this rug is simple – stick to vacuuming regularly or take the rug outside to shake it.

If you wash it, make sure to dry it immediately.

PROS: Multiple Sizes and Colors, Soft, Waterproof, Resistant to Mildew and Mold, Stain-Resistant, Doesn’t Shed, Easy to Clean

CONS: Has Jute Backing, No Patterns, Some Complaints of Odor upon Arrival

 

Andecor Soft Fluffy Bedroom Rugs

This is another shaggy rug, very similar to the previous entry on our list. While these rugs often don’t work well with dogs, high-quality material and manufacturing make this rug a perfect decoration for homes with canines.

The rug is available in many sizes and colors, although all the colors are solid and without any patterns.

This rug is resistant to stains, fade, and shedding, making it easy to vacuum or spot clean when necessary.

This rug is very soft because it has a long and luxurious pile. However, being so plush means that this rug could soak up urine and trap some odors.

On the other hand, this rug has a cotton backing, which is better than jute or rubber. This product is not a good choice for dogs who often shed or enjoy chewing on things.

PROS: Available in Many Colors and Sizes, Soft, Durable, Stain and Fade Resistant, Doesn’t Shed, Easy to Clean, Cotton Backing

CONS: Expensive, No Patterns, Not Suitable for Chewers or Dogs That Shed a Lot, Could Trap Odors

 

【Live with pet】 Self Adhesive Carpet Tile

This product is a bit different than the rest on the list because it is not a rug. These are actually carpet floor tiles, and they are a good choice for homes with pets.

Non-Slip Treads Mat for Dogs and Pets, Self-Adhering Removable Washable

You can easily replace one or more tiles if they get damaged by your pooch.

The tiles are made from polyester, and they are made to stick by themselves thanks to the self-adhesive vinyl backing.

One package of 12 tiles can cover 12 square feet, and each tile is 12″ long and 12″ wide, which gives you plenty of room to make a carpet of any size and shape.

These tiles come in 5 different colors, although there are no patterns on them. However, you can combine different colors to create a pattern of your own if you like.

The tiles are resistant to stains and fade, as well as mold, mildew, and moisture.

PROS: Available in 4 Colors, Stain-Resistant, Fade-Resistant, Resistant to Mold, Mildew, and Moisture, Easy to Clean

CONS: Thin, Not Very Soft, Not So Easy to Remove, No Patterns.

 

Nourison Aloha Multicolor Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug

This rug is made from polypropylene, which means it is durable and should last you for a long time.

It is also stain and weather-resistant, which is why it is primarily used outdoors. However, you can use it indoors since it is one of the best rugs for dogs.

This is a soft rug, and it gives you a pleasant feeling when you step on it. You can get this rug in many sizes and shapes, including a couple of round rugs.

It comes with rich patterns, but it is only available in a couple of colors.

Unfortunately, many users complained that the colors on the rug faded quickly, especially when used outdoors and exposed to the sun.

PROS: Available in Many Sizes and Shapes, Durable, Rich Patterns, Stain-Resistant, Weather-Resistant, Easy to Clean

CONS: Expensive, Not Fade Resistant, Available in Two Colors, Not Very Soft

 

eLuxurySupply Outdoor Rug

Unlike some of the rugs on our list, this rug is not that plush or soft. However, that also means that this rug is the best choice if you have a dog with bladder control issues.

While this rug is advertised as an outdoor rug, you can use it indoors as well.

This rug is available in one size – 4′ x 6′. It also comes with rich patterns you can get in four different colors.

The rug is made from woven recycled plastic (polypropylene), which is why it is not as soft as some others. That’s also why it is waterproof and won’t soak up any urine.

The rug is also fade-resistant and has a non-slip back. It is easy to vacuum and wash, especially if you spot-clean it.

PROS: Rich Patterns, Available in 4 Colors, Waterproof, Fade-Resistant, Eco-Friendly

CONS: Not Very Soft, Hard to Fold, Some Reports of Shedding, Not Very Durable, Only Two Sizes

 

Maxy Home Area Rugs

These area rugs come in three different sizes – 3’3” x 5’, 5’ x 7’, and 7’10” x 9’10”. This gives you a nice range so you can find the one that fits your space perfectly.

You can also choose among many different patterns and colors, including Ikat Lines, Wave, Medallion, etc.

Whatever pattern you choose, you will receive a soft and durable rug perfect for homes with dogs.

These rugs are resistant to stains, but they are also fade and wear-resistant.

Maxy Home area rugs have a very short pile, so they are also easy to clean and vacuum.

Keep in mind that these rugs are made from olefin, which is not the ideal material for homes with dogs, especially if your dog is not well-trained and prone to accidents.

You should also know that these rugs are pretty thin and that some users complained about the colors being a bit pale in reality.

PROS: Available in Three Sizes, Available in Many Patterns and Colors, Durable, Short Pile, Stain-Resistant, Fade-Resistant

CONS: Made from Olefin, Thin, Reports of Pale Colors

READ NEXT: 7 Types of Flooring for Your Dog’s Safety and Health

 

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