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Shedding, dander, drool, claws, accidents, wear and tear—there are a lot of things a pet can do to your pristine carpets. But, wall-to-wall carpeting gives your furry friends a non-slip surface where they can play, lie down, and roll over as pets tend to slide around on tile and hardwood, causing scratches and scuffs.
The best carpets for pets offer stain resistance and durability, help absorb sound, and look good, too. This guide can help narrow the search for the best carpets for pets to install in your home that work for your needs and your pet’s needs, too.
- BEST OVERALL: STAINMASTER PetProtect Textured Carpet
- BEST VALUE: Lifeproof Playful Moments II Textured Carpet
- UPGRADE PICK: Mohawk SmartStrand Forever Clean
- BEST NYLON: Shaw Floors Subtle Aura
- BEST WOOL: J Mish Natural Velvet Wool Carpet
Types of Carpets for Pets
With so many types of carpets to choose from, the first thing to do is narrow down your search to carpets that best withstand the wear and tear of pets. Nylon, wool, and olefin are three common types of carpets that are more suitable for pets.
Nylon
Nylon is the most popular carpeting material for a reason. It’s the most durable, easy to clean, and maintains its texture retention over time. Higher-end brands can keep a nice appearance for up to 15 years. These carpet fibers are abrasion resistant, saving it from the wear and tear that comes from a four-legged friend. The strong, durable fibers withstand frequent use and are a fitting choice for high-traffic areas. Nylon naturally resists pet odors, soil, and mildew, which helps keep it clean no matter what your furry companion tracks in.
Nylon is a type of material meant to imitate the appearance of wool, but it’s slightly more durable and has built-in stain resistance. It’s standard practice for nylon carpet manufacturers to use protective chemical treatments to help the fabric resist fading or discoloration in case your pet has an accident. In the manufacturing process, solution-dyed nylon has color built right into the fiber, making it permanent and fade resistant. This process hinders pet stains by making spills less likely to attach themselves to the carpet fiber.
Wool
Wool is the standard to which other fibers are compared. This tightly woven natural carpet fiber looks and feels luxurious for you and your pet. Known for feeling good to the touch and taking dye beautifully, wool is available in a variety of colors and styles.
Made of natural, renewable fiber, wool carpet is biodegradable and, if cared for properly, is long lasting. Since it is a bit more extravagant, it does come with a higher price tag than other carpet types. For durability, this type of carpet is better for light to medium foot traffic, rather than high-traffic areas for your pet. However, it has excellent resilience, so it recovers nicely if crushed to keep it looking good over time.
Because it has some natural stain resistance, wool doesn’t get as dirty as synthetic carpets. However, it can’t be treated with a stain-resistant coating like other materials, so any spills or accidents need to be treated and cleaned right away. These natural fibers have a low resistance to chemicals, which may make DIY or professional cleaning a bit more involved.
Olefin
Previously considered an outdoor type of carpet, olefin (also referred to as polypropylene) has advanced to give its fibers the look and feel of wool. This type is generally restricted to low-pile carpets, which use shorter and denser fibers making them ideal for high-traffic areas. This second most popular type of carpeting is made from plastic fibers and is affordable, easy to clean, and doesn’t fade.
Olefin carpet resists stains, static, soil, pilling, and water damage like mildew, making it durable enough for big, messy, and active pets. Olefin also resists abrasion and repels moisture. Many olefin carpets are constructed with loop fabrics; however, they’re low and dense to minimize the snags that often come with longer carpets. Still, you may want your pet’s nails trimmed to avoid any catching. Olefin has a rougher feel than other types of carpets, but it can handle a busy household.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Carpets for Pets
The best carpet for pets can stand up to a lot of playtime, slobbery faces, and the occasional accident. A pet-friendly new carpet is tough, naturally stain resistant, and gives warmth and comfort to a room that’s enjoyed by both the pet and its owner. Here are some considerations when you’re shopping for your next wall-to-wall carpet.
Material
Each material takes damage differently, varies in softness, and ranges in price. There are five primary types of carpet material: nylon, triexta, polyester, wool, and olefin.
- Nylon fibers are the most popular carpet material. The synthetic material is durable, stain resistant, and affordable, which are all handy features for a carpet when you have pets in the home.
- Triexta is similar in appearance to nylon, but it’s softer. These carpets repel stains and moisture damage because they are naturally hydrophobic.
- Polyester, a synthetic fiber that’s cheaper than nylon, is a little less durable but feels soft. It’s moderately priced and tends to be used for dense, deep-pile carpets in low- traffic areas. Polyester carpets may not be the best choice if you have pets at home.
- Wool is a natural fiber that’s the softest and most luxurious. Materials such as wool, padded wool, or felt are considered by many to be healthier carpets for the family (fur babies included).
- Olefin is a synthetic fiber made of polypropylene. It’s tougher and more affordable than other synthetics.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gasses that emit from certain liquids or solids and come from a variety of chemicals. Exposure to VOCs may cause health issues such as eye, nose, and throat irritation; neurological effects; and allergic skin reactions. VOCs may be found in carpet and many other materials at home, including cleaners, cosmetic products, and furnishings. It’s important to avoid VOCs or find a low-VOC option for your health as well as your pet’s.
Newer carpets are manufactured to contain lower levels of VOCs, and wool carpets tend to avoid VOCs altogether. To minimize the VOCs in your home, look for the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Green Label which certifies low-VOC products or items that are Greenguard certified. Avoid these gasses during carpet installation, too, by using low-VOC adhesives that don’t contain harmful solvents.
Stain Resistance
Pets will test the stain resistance of your carpets multiple times throughout your carpet’s life. Carpets that are made for pets are designed to prevent stains from soaking through the carpet’s padding, a place where moisture can grow bacteria and mold.
Stain-resistant carpets are treated with a chemical coating to protect and give the material moisture-wicking properties. Often, you can clean spills and accidents with a soap and water solution, making for easy cleanups, but for best results, spills should be tended to right away. This chemical coating does wear out over time or may wear away early if the wrong cleaning products are used.
Stain-resistant materials keep your carpet looking nicer long-term so it doesn’t need to be replaced as often. Treated synthetic materials come at a more affordable price point compared to other fibers, such as wool. Stain-resistant carpets advertise this shielding feature. If you purchase a carpet that doesn’t claim to be stain resistant, then likely it isn’t.
Durability
Pet owners know that durability is a key factor in choosing a carpet that agrees with their four-legged friend. Dogs and cats both like to run, play, and scratch, which adds to the wear and tear of a carpet. The face weight of a carpet measures how much yarn makes up a carpet pile.
This is comparable to the thread count on sheets, wherein the higher the number, the more dense and long lasting the material. Durability depends on the style of the carpet as well as the material of it. Nylon, olefin, and wool resist wear and tear better than other types of fibers, like polyester, making them more durable options.
For carpet style, look for something tightly woven to enhance durability. Traditionally, berber or loop pile carpets are the most durable because they don’t have open ends. This decreases the chances of the carpet pulling or shedding, but longer carpets in this style can snag on pet claws.
A durable carpet that’s pet friendly should be a cut pile style, which simply means that there aren’t any loops to trap your pet’s nails. The saxony carpet pile is tightly woven and typically cut at an angle, helping to conceal any marks and stains. Similarly, the frieze carpet pile is also tightly woven, but more wiry looking, which also helps hide wear and stains.
Our Top Picks
The best carpet for you and your pet depends on the type of pet you have, its playfulness, and the wear your pet brings to a carpet. Based on the criteria above, here are some worthy considerations for your next wall-to-wall carpet.
Best Overall
STAINMASTER PetProtect Textured Carpet
This STAINMASTER PetProtect Textured Carpet is a fresh, modern style made of nylon fibers that protect against mess and enhance the look of your home. It’s a stain-, soil-, and static-resistant carpet that is highly durable and designed to look and feel good. When used with STAINMASTER carpet cushion, this product reduces pet odors, too. Designed with furry friends in mind, the carpet fibers easily release pet urine and hair during vacuuming and cleaning, saving you the time and trouble of going over the same spot to suck up embedded hair.
Available in a fade-resistant color, this material is tufted and textured to retain its consistency over time. This FHA-approved and CRI Green Label-certified carpet is built to last and should hold up well over time.
Product Specs
- Type: Nylon
- Size: 12 square feet
- Colorways: 1
Pros
- Resistant to stains, soiling, odor, and static
- Easy to vacuum pet hair
- FHA-approved and CRI Green Label-certified
Cons
- Limited quantity per order
Get the STAINMASTER PetProtect carpet at Lowe’s.
Best Value
Lifeproof Playful Moments II Textured Carpet
The Lifeproof Playful Moments II Textured Carpet is an affordable, durable, and comfortable option for those with pets. The denier yarn and heavier weight face create a plush, high-density texture for you and your pet. A triexta-blend fiber makes the carpet soft and helps it resist soil, stains, and odor without adding harsh chemical treatments. Built for resilience, the permanent built-in stain and soil protection doesn’t wear off through numerous pet accidents. The carpet fiber doesn’t absorb moisture, but instead keeps it on the surface so after cleaning you can’t even tell it was soiled.
This affordable carpet is both FHA approved and CRI Green Label Plus approved, guaranteeing low VOC. The backing of the carpet is made of polypropylene, which adds to the carpet’s durability, even with the most active pets. With 27 deeply saturated and fade-resistant colors to choose from, there are options available to match a variety of decor. To keep this carpet looking good and lasting long-term, annual hot water extraction cleaning is recommended.
Product Specs
- Type: Polyester, polypropylene, and triexta-blend fiber
- Size: 9 square feet
- Colorways: 27
Pros
- Ample fade-resistant colorways offered
- FHA and CRI Green Label Plus approved
- Low VOC quantity
Cons
- Limited quantity per order
- May dent under heavy objects
Get the Lifeproof Playful Moments carpet at The Home Depot.
Upgrade Pick
Mohawk SmartStrand Forever Clean
While carpet isn’t necessarily the best choice for dogs, the fact of the matter is, many homes with pets have carpets. Their irresistibly plush surface is a favorite for bedrooms and living rooms, with or without a carpet pad. A high-quality carpet like Mohawk SmartStrand Forever Clean is invitingly soft and is made to better withstand daily living with dogs.
This carpet for pets is soft, durable—and most importantly—easy to clean. The Forever Clean line has permanent, built-in stain resistance that protects against spills and soil for cleaner carpeting. This carpet is constructed from twisted yarn with a 0.24-inch pile, but Mohawk sells various different SmartStrand Forever Clean styles in a huge variety of colors.
Product Specs
- Type: Visco-elastic memory foam
- Size: Unlisted
- Colorways: 32
Pros
- Silky soft
- Permanent stain resistance
- Comes in a wide variety of colors
Cons
- Not resistant against liquids
Get the Mohawk SmartStrand carpet at Mohawk Flooring.
Best Nylon
Shaw Floors Subtle Aura
The Shaw Floors Subtle Aura carpet is made of 100 percent Anso Nylon with primarily polypropylene backing, giving it comfortable and durable features that work well for pets and people. It has a soft texture and is available in 12 colors. This tufted carpet is another option for owners of messy pets or those prone to accidents. The nylon fibers give natural insulation to a room, helping absorb sound and giving a comfortable walking or napping surface for a pet.
Shaw Floors uses a patented R2X stain- and soil-resistance treatment to shield the carpet below the surface. Where other products may just treat the top of the carpet, R2X protects the entire fiber from the base to the tip. Total fiber protection repels stains, giving you time to clean up accidents without the worry of a stain setting in.
Product Specs
- Type: Nylon
- Size: 12 square feet
- Colorways: 12
Pros
- Stain-fighting technology
- Soft and durable
- Sound-absorbing
- Stain- and soil-resistant
Cons
- Only patterned options available
Get the Shaw Floors Subtle Aura carpet at Shaw Floors.
Best Wool
J Mish Natural Velvet Wool Carpet
J Mish’s Natural Velvet Wool Carpet is a suitable option for less-rambunctious pets who seek a comfortable floor for napping. Wool makes a plush carpet that offers natural soil and stain resistance in tandem with elevated style.
This extra-dense carpet for pets is made from thick, 100 percent New Zealand wool and offers more wool per square inch than other carpets, giving it better sound and warmth insulation than other wool options. Made of an eco-friendly renewable resource, the wool from this carpet is biodegradable and does not have hazardous ingredients in the backing or on the carpet’s surface.
This heathered cut pile carpet is made in 8 natural color options and can last upwards of 30 years if cared for properly—lasting about three times longer than many synthetic carpets. A natural cleaner is recommended for spot cleaning, and spills or pet accidents need to be treated immediately to avoid stains getting past the carpet’s natural stain barriers. With pets, this carpet benefits from being deep cleaned every couple of months to keep it in top condition.
Product Specs
- Type: Wool
- Size: Unlisted
- Colorways: 8
Pros
- Extra-dense material
- Sound and warmth insulation
- Eco-friendly construction
- Long-lasting design
Cons
- May dent under heavy objects or furniture
Get the J Mish Natural Velvet Wool carpet at Green Building Supply.
Our Verdict
For a sturdy, pet-proof carpeting that will last, the STAINMASTER carpeting is made with a durable nylon construction and releases pet hair easily while vacuuming for easy clean-up. Alternatively, for a budget-friendly option, the Lifeproof carpeting comes in over 27 fade-resistant colorways and has low VOCs.
How We Chose the Best Carpets for Pets
We researched the most sought-after pet-proof carpets in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by their type, quantity offered per order, colorways offered, and other special features included by select brands.
To satisfy a range of pet owners’ preferences, the above list features nylon, wool, memory foam, polyester, and polyethylene carpeting. Each carpet for pets is offered with stain-, soil-, odor-, and static-resistant capabilities with select options coming in fade-resistant colorways. Plus, some of the above carpeting comes in up to 30 colorways.
To ensure that pet owners have enough carpeting for their space, the above picks also come with 11 to 12 square feet of carpet per order.
FAQs
There are many factors that go into the decision-making process for purchasing carpet when you have pets in the home. Each pet and each owner are different and have different needs, so there are some questions that may come up. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about carpets for pets.
Q: What color carpet is best for pets?
Pets can be messy and track dirt and debris onto the carpet, so it’s best to choose a color that can hide imperfections that may appear. Darker colors or carpets with patterns hide pet messes better than others.
Q: What type of carpet is best for dog hair?
A carpet that’s tightly woven will help prevent dog hair from getting embedded in the fabric. Nylon, olefin, and some wool carpets can be good choices for dogs who shed a lot.
Q: How long do carpets for pets last?
Well-constructed carpets can last 10 years or more with normal use and care. Regular cleaning may help increase the longevity of carpet. Dogs, in particular, can be tough on floors. You may want to check out the best flooring for dogs to know your other options.