Pet owners in the market for flooring think that carpet is not an option for their homes and four-legged friends, but with advancements in technology, this is no longer true. Choosing pet-friendly carpet is as simple as following a few tips.
When choosing the best flooring for your home, you don’t have to skip carpet. Both you and your pet can enjoy curling up on the softest flooring. There are several factors you must consider from construction to design. Here is what you’ll want to know when choosing pet-friendly carpeting.
Stain Resistance and Durability:
When shopping for pet-safe carpeting, stain resistance and durability are the most important features. With new advancements in manufacturing technology, carpet is tougher than ever. Two features you must consider when thinking of stain resistance and durability are carpet fiber and pile type.
Fiber:
As a pet owner, you have two primary choices of carpet fiber: nylon and polyester (PET). While polyester is typically more stain resistant, nylon is a good option thanks to manufacturers that treat fibers with safe chemical finishes that repel stains and liquids so they do not settle into the carpet fibers. Some brands worth looking at are Mohawk’s SmartStrand carpets, Shaw’s R2X-stain treated carpets and LifeGuard backing carpets, and PerPETual carpeting from Michael’s.
Pile Type:
Your second consideration as a pet-owner is pile type. Carpet is made with one of two main pile types: cut and looped. Stay away from looped piles as they get stuck on your pet’s nails and can cause pain for your pet or fraying and tearing of your carpet. Looped piles even prove an irresistible chew toy for some of our beloved pets! Sticking to cut pile carpets doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style. You can still choose from trendy frieze, comfy plush types, or even beautiful cut-pile patterns.
Choosing the correct fibers and pile types along with regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure beautiful long-lasting carpet.
Backing:
Choosing the best carpet for your pet and yourself means selecting the best backing as well as the fibers and pile. It is imperative that you select a waterproof or gel backing for the best defense against any liquid messes. These types of backings hold up to hard scrubbing when those soils do occur. Waterproof and gel backings make carpet-life easier with pets.
Design:
Design may seem like a trivial consideration when choosing pet-safe carpet. However, savvy design can help keep your carpet looking newer for longer. Use colors and patterns strategically. Matching your carpet color to your pet’s coat can help hide fur between weekly vacuuming. Choosing a flecked frieze will help hide any mud your pet-pal may track in. Smart design will help obscure the small messes that accumulate between cleanings.
All in All:
There is no way around it, our beloved pets can be hard on flooring and having a pet means more cleaning. But loving a pet doesn’t mean you can’t have carpeting. Choose polyester or stain-treated nylon fibers combined with waterproof backings. Always stay away from looped pile carpets. And be smart with design! Factor these three things in with regular cleaning, and you can cuddle up on a soft floor with your pet for a lifetime. Now you know how to choose pet-safe carpet and can shop with confidence for your family and your four-legged friends.