Owning a hairy four-legged friend and building a relationship or even a friendship with them can be one of the most beautiful feelings in the world. However, this friendship is sometimes in danger of crumbling, especially when cleaning the rug.
However much you love your pet, removing hair from and scrubbing rugs can often be a chore. If the fabric is not robust enough, it can quickly be destroyed by claws. Or even worse, the animal can be injured. Fortunately, there is a simple solution that means you don't have to give up either your little darling or your floor decoration. There are now a variety of rugs for pet owners.
Pet owners know that: For dogs and cats, a rug exerts an irresistible attraction. Pets understandably like to make themselves comfortable on a cozy rug or even play with it. In just a short time, the most beautiful rug is full of animal hair, which vehemently resists the vacuum cleaner, matting the rug fibers and standing in all directions. Do pet owners therefore have to do without a decorative rug? Of course not! Rugs for pet owners just have to be a little more durable.
These rugs are most suitable for pet owners
The most suitable for living with a pet are synthetic, flat-woven rugs and sisal rugs. Both have a very firm structure that prevents the animal from tearing out its claws.
Furthermore, such a texture has the added advantage of being very easy to care for. Hairs can simply be vacuumed up. And even stubborn stains can be quickly removed with a cloth, water and even cleaning agents. However, the agent used should still be gentle and not too acidic, so as not to bleach the surface over time.
Sisal
Sisal is a natural fiber obtained from the sisal agave plant. Thanks to its hygroscopic properties, it can significantly improve the indoor climate. This means that the rug absorbs excess moisture from the room and releases it when needed. Made from this fiber, it is not only extremely easy to care for, but is also inherently dirt-repellent.
For cat owners, sisal is the best choice.
Many scratching posts are made from a similar raw material. That's why the rugs can be used as a substitute for exactly that. Check out sisal rugs in our store.
Flat-woven
This attribute says nothing about the type of textile, but about the method of production. A distinction is made between long-pile/high-pile rugs, short-pile rugs and flat-woven rugs. Pile is the name given to the hairs that have not been worked into the rug and that stand up loosely from the rug. The longer the hairs, the fluffier it feels when you stand on it. Flat-woven rugs have no pile; the top side consists entirely of a woven structure.
What should I look out for when buying a rug for pets?
These material tips are already good advice. Nevertheless, there are a few small details to consider when buying a rug for pet owners that will make later handling even more carefree.
Despite its uncomplicated properties, it is advisable to match the chosen color to the animal's hair color if possible. This way, you don't have to worry about vacuuming as often or can receive spontaneous visitors without having to worry about it. Another helpful keyword is patterns. Ornaments and patterns conceal the odd hair or two. Even in rather contrasting colors. Dog owners with larger dogs should look for rugs with extra non-slip flooring. Because although everyone sticks well to the back, large four-legged friends can get past this adhesion. So you are on the safe side.
Rugs marked “Outdoor” or “Outdoor and Indoor” are particularly robust. And these are available in at least as beautiful designs as others.
Advantages of rugs for cats and dogs
An elegant rug not only beautifies a room and creates a homely atmosphere, but can also be of further use to pet owners. Pets, whether cats, dogs, rabbits or guinea pigs, are known to have sharp claws. Larger dogs in particular can easily scratch parquet and laminate floors with their claws. This can be avoided with a suitable rug. Not to mention that pets can walk on the rug, which is easy on their joints, preventing them from slipping and hurting themselves on smooth floors.
Durable material and color are crucial
Whether you like colorful, patterned rugs or prefer simple, plain rugs depends on your own preferences and style of living. This is no different for pet owners. To avoid the visibility of pet hair, pet owners can also match the color of the rug to the color of their pet. Light-colored animal hair is less visible on light-colored rugs than on dark-colored rugs, and vice versa. Fortunately, there are plenty of multicolored rugs available, on which any stains are not immediately visible. What else is important for pet owners when choosing the right rug? The material is particularly important. The rug should be durable so that dogs and cats don't tear it up with their claws when they first meet, but rather so that all the residents can enjoy their new rug for a long time.
Rugs made of robust fibers are ideal
Flat-woven rugs, such as sisal rugs, are excellently suited for pet owners. Sisal rugs are hand-woven and are robust and durable due to the special processing method. Whether you choose a sisal rug in a round, oval, single-color, multi-color or with artistic elements, rugs made from the fibers of the sisal alga are easy to wash and can even be used on both sides. A durable short-pile rug offers a wider range of colors. The high-quality workmanship of short-pile rugs ensures that they are both precious and durable. You can let your imagination run wild with short-pile rugs in terms of colors and patterns, and create completely new accents in your rooms. Timeless kilim rugs are also suitable for pet owners. A kilim rug is handwoven from pure new wool, can be used on both sides and is extremely durable. The height of the fibers is usually 0.6 cm, so they are perfect for preventing pet claws from tearing them. A kilim rug with stylish motifs is also a real eye-catcher.
What else should pet owners look out for when buying a rug?
Almost every pet owner experiences their pet's crazy five minutes at least once a day, when their furry friend runs wild through the apartment. If a rug is not large enough to be held in place by furniture such as sofas or tables, an anti-slip rug is a good idea. There are a few rugs that are slip-resistant, such as Gabbeh runners, but you can also simply use an anti-slip mat that fits under any rug. Indoor and outdoor rugs made of synthetic fibers, such as acrylic, polyester or polypropylene, are durable and usually slip-resistant at the same time. In addition, indoor and outdoor rugs made of synthetic fibers are suitable for underfloor heating, have sound insulation and are washable. Should your pet have an accident, odors from synthetic fiber rugs will quickly disappear.
Which rug should pet owners avoid?
Pet owners are advised not to buy fluffy long-pile rugs, fur rugs or shaggy rugs. Not only can the claws of dogs and cats be fatal for long-pile rugs, but the animals can also hurt themselves if they get their claws caught in the loops of the rug. If you still want to feel something cuddly under your feet, you should opt for a high-quality Nepal rugs or a colorful Gabbeh rug. Both Nepal and Gabbeh rugs are hand-woven from pure new wool and are therefore particularly easy to care for and repel dirt. If you absolutely must have an intricately handcrafted Persian rug made from Kashmir silk or cork wool, it is recommended that you place it in a room to which pets do not have access.
And if something does go wrong?
Of course, there are also events that can affect even the recommended rug for pet owners. Then the best way to get rid of unsightly stains is to use household remedies such as salt, mineral water, washing powder and shaving foam. A mixture of water and vinegar helps against unpleasant odours. Lint rollers or damp rubber gloves, which magically absorb animal hair, can help against stubborn hairs that even the vacuum cleaner can't get rid of.