Here are the pet proof carpet we’ll be covering:
- Gorilla Grip Original Ultra Soft Area Rug
- ReaLife Rugs Machine Washable Rug
- Pelham Washable Hallway Entry Carpet
- Ruggable Machine Washable Area Rug
- Gorilla Grip Premium Fluffy Area Rug
While dogs are delightful and loving companions, they can certainly make a mess of our houses. They shed hair all over, track in mud on rainy days, and may even occasionally have accidents in the house. If you have carpet or area rugs in your house, you’ve likely been through a multitude of cleaning products and solutions to get out stains and odors. Investing in a pet proof carpet can make your living space easier to manage.
Our top recommendations for a pet proof carpet
One of the first things to look for is a carpet that is easy to clean. A fabric that releases stains easily is a must, especially in rooms near the entrances. Choose a low-pile carpet for these areas, as they are easier to care for and hold up better to repeated wear.
An area rug that you can send through the washer and even the dryer will make regularly cleaning up after your dog easy and will ensure that you don’t miss a spot.
In addition to being easily cleaned, you want a rug that can stand up to all of the feet and paws that will regularly tread over it. Look for a durable carpet that will not wear down with games of tug and fetch or multiple trips through the washing machine. It is especially important to have long-lasting rugs in the high traffic areas of your home, including near the main doors and in common living spaces.
Finally, you will want to select a rug that will not move and skid around the room. This is especially important if your dog likes to roughhouse and you play together in the house. A rug with a gripper bottom will have the strongest hold to ensure maximum safety. You can also purchase a slip-resistant pad separately to place under a rug that does not come with one.
Since carpeting can be a focal point and must complement the decor in your house, the one you choose will have to suit your style as well as perform for your family and pets. Therefore, we have listed 5 of the best options for dog proof rugs, all of which come in an array of sizes and colors to meet your needs.
Gorilla Grip Original Ultra Soft Area Rug
The Gorilla Grip brand is synonymous with strength, and this rug is no exception. Tiny rubber dots all over the bottom of the carpet adhere to your hardwood floor or tile to keep this rug in place. If you have busy kids and energetic pets in your house, this carpet will ensure that they are not slipping and sliding around.
The rug is plush, made with a shaggy faux chinchilla material. If you live in a colder climate or if your dog likes to nestle into a cozy spot to nap, this rug provides warmth and comfort. It is available in several sizes and over 2 dozen solid colors, allowing you to choose one to fit the needs of your room.
The carpet does not have thick padding and tends to be tread down quickly and easily. However, its thinner size allows it to run through the washing machine, which often revives its shape. A handheld vacuum can also be used to pick up dry debris.
Pros: wide variety of sizes and colors, strong gripper pad on bottom
Cons: thin padding, carpet is easily worn down in high traffic
RealLife Rugs Machine Washable Machine
If you prefer a printed rug, these carpets offer many patterns to fit your needs and style. Made of eco-friendly materials, they are stain resistant and shed-free. You can choose from a wide variety of sizes, colors, and prints to match the decor in your home.
The low pile of the carpet makes it easy to pick up dirt, and robotic vacuums are able to move over them with ease. The rugs can also be put through the washer and even the dryer on a no-heat cycle. The product may not hold up to repeated washings though, and is prone to fraying and accelerated wearing along the edges.
The RealLife rugs come with a non-skid backing to ensure that the carpet remains in place. It does not adhere as well to vinyl flooring as other materials. Depending on the type of floor that you have, you may need an additional slip-resistant pad to put down beneath the rug.
Pros: easy to clean, eco-friendly recycled materials
Cons: edges wear easily, is not skid-resistant on all flooring
Pelham Washable Hallways Entry Carpet
For a low pile option that is ideal in high traffic areas, consider these Pelham rugs. They easily leave enough clearance for doors to open and hold up to lots of feet and paws passing over them. They are not as plush or as soft as a higher pile rug, so may not be ideal if your dog wants more support.
Due to the low profile, these rugs are easy to vacuum. For mud and stains, the carpet can be spot cleaned or laundered using professional services. This rug cannot go in the washer or dryer, which can make cleaning and refreshing the carpet more time consuming and expensive.
The backing on the rug is heavy and non-skid. The combination of the weight and the suction help to hold the carpet in place and prevent it from sliding around. The edges of the carpet may curl up and it can be difficult to lay them flat, which may require additional adhesives or supports.
Pros: holds up well to traffic, low profile to fit under doors and furniture
Cons: cannot go in washer or dryer, edges may not lie flat
Ruggable Machine Washable Area Rug
Ruggable carpets are purchased as part of a unique two piece system that is incredibly useful for anyone with pets. The bottom piece is a cushioned, non-slip pad that holds the rug cover, a thin layer of sturdy fabric, in place. The low profile and skid-resistant design make this ideal for high-traffic areas.
The rug cover is thin and water-resistant, which prevents liquids from penetrating into the fibers. It is also meant to be laundered easily in your home washing machine. If you have a dog that has frequent accidents or live in a muddy area, this can be a huge timesaver for you.
It is probably no surprise that this rug comes in at a much higher price point than others on the list, which may immediately cross it off your list. Additionally, these rugs can be difficult to vacuum since the top layer is so thin and can get easily pulled out of place with the suction.
Pros: easy to wash and maintain, non-slip pad keeps rug in place
Cons: comparatively expensive, tricky to vacuum
Gorilla Grip Premium Fluffy Area Rug
If you are most interested in a comfortable and plush area rug for the most commonly used spaces in your home, this carpet may better suit your needs. In contrast to the low pile rugs, this fluffy option has an extra thick padding in the middle. The faux fur shag on top will invite you and your pet to sit and snuggle comfortably.
Like the other Gorilla Grip rug listed above, this carpet has tiny gripping dots sprinkled all over the bottom that help to hold it firmly in place. The shaggy top of the rug may feel slippery, especially with socks. It does tend to smooth out with use and washing, but it is important to be aware of prior to use.
This rug is able to be run through the washing machine, which is helpful if your dog has an accident or tracks in mud on their paws. The fabric on the carpet may shed a bit, and may also pull when running a vacuum over it.
Pros: extra padding for comfort, non-slip grippers on the bottom
Cons: top of rug feels slippery, rug may shed its shaggy strands
Additional accessories and solutions to pet proof your carpet
If you want to improve the efficiency of a rug that you already own or purchase from this list, there are a few ways to do so. Here are two recommendations that can improve the skid-resistance and absorbency of your carpets to help them stand up to your pets.
Mohawk Home Reversible Pet and Spill Proof Rug Pad
This pad goes underneath your rug to provide extra absorption for spills and moisture that your carpet cannot easily trap. If you have an accident-prone pup, this can be a helpful addition to your rug. The pad is available in over a dozen sizes, including a round option, and can be cut to size to better fit the shape of your rug. It is lightweight and easy to carry to any room in your house.
The rubber bottom provides additional grip to keep the rug in place and lying smooth on hard flooring. The felt top provides extra cushioning and prevents water from seeping through to your floor. The pad can also be used to place a rug over an existing carpet. Simply place the felt side down and rest the rug on top of the rubber side.
Gimars Heavy Absorbency Pee Pads
If you are working on training a new puppy or you have an older dog struggling with incontinence, you may find yourself looking for a product that provides additional absorbency. This pad is very heavy duty and can hold up to 10 cups of liquids before it seeps through to the floor.
The Gimars pad is more economically and environmentally friendly than disposables, as it can be machine washed when soiled. It can be used independently of a rug in areas that your dog tends to frequently eliminate, or in which your dog spends a lot of time. This pad is also ideal for puppy playpens or whelping boxes due to its absorbency.
Other considerations for pet proofing your carpet
When choosing a rug or accessories from this list, there are a few other things to keep in mind. Certain colors and fabrics will hold up better to your pet. Polypropylene is the most durable material for rugs that will withstand your dog’s daily life, as it has a natural resistance to dirt and stains. Try to avoid natural wool fibers for rugs that your pet uses frequently, as these are most likely to show marks from dirt or accidents.
Additionally, darker carpets and rugs with busy patterns do a better job of hiding stains and debris. If your dog is a heavy shedder, you may want to consider purchasing a rug that has a similar coloring so that their hair will not be as prominent against the carpet. As noted previously, a low pile carpet is a better option for dogs as they are less likely to show wear and tear and to catch their nails in the fibers.
Regardless of how durable the product is, you will want to be sure to protect your rug as thoroughly as you can. We recommend that you scotch-guard your carpets to keep the fibers from absorbing and trapping stains. Have a professional help you with this task in order to ensure that you do not miss a spot. You will also need to repeat this process over time as the protection will wear down with use of the rugs.
You will also want to regularly check and clean your rugs, especially for urine spots. Since this leaves behind a strong odor, you want to clean it up as soon as possible and thoroughly remove it from the carpet. Additionally, vacuuming twice per week and steam cleaning the rug monthly will help ensure that nothing remains trapped in the fibers for too long, reducing the likelihood of permanent stains and permeating odors. Keeping your pets nails trimmed will also ensure that the rug does not get damaged or wear out too quickly.
