Rugs For Dogs Buyer’s Guide
Dogs and rugs - a tricky combination
Dogs and rugs are not a good combination because of several reasons. First of all, dogs accumulate grease, mud and dirt on their paws and then distribute them all over your house. However, if distributed on tiles they can be easily cleaned but if distributed on a rug, the cleaning process is much more demanding.
Then, dogs enjoy chewing on the rug’s threads which is not only messy and unpleasant to look at but also poses a choking hazard and can even lead to intestinal blockage.
It is no secret that all dogs shed, some more than others, but ultimately they all shed. The shed hairs stuck into the rug’s piles and are extremely hard to eliminate.
Even the most well-trained dogs can make a mistake and either pee or poop on the rug. Both mistakes leave lingering odors as well as unpleasant spots and discolorations. Vomiting is another mistake with similar consequences.
Last but not least, because of their texture and density, rugs make excellent egg-deposition nests for pesky parasites such as fleas.
Dog breeds and rugs that can never be paired
Unfortunately, certain dog breeds are extremely hard to housebreak. These dogs are not a good idea if you enjoy living in a place with fancy, expensive rugs.
In a nutshell, you need to decide what you want more, a nice rug or a dog belonging to one of the following breeds:
- Pug
- Dalmatian
- Chihuahua
- Bichon Frise
- Pomeranian
- Maltese dog
- Dachshund
- Cocker Spaniel
- Yorkshire Terrier.
If parenting some of the above mentioned dogs, it is highly advisable to replace your rug with an easy to maintain, dog-friendly or better said dog-proof rug.
Choosing the ideal dog-friendly rug:
It goes without saying that there is no ideal, one-type-suits-all dog-friendly rug. It all depends on your furry friend’s habits and your personal style and preferences. However, because of their pet-proof characteristics, some rugs are more suitable for households with dogs than others.
Generally speaking, when choosing a dog-friendly rug, you need to pay attention to several important features:
Material
Dogs are quite abusive to their belongings and certain fabrics are more resilient and capable of withstanding longer periods of time. For example, nylon, wool and polyester are considered the most resilient and durable fabrics. Being a natural material, wool is much more expensive. Many dog rugs are made of olefin which is acceptable in certain cases but generally does not offer long durability. Rugs made of rayon and silk are good-looking and aesthetic but gentle and definitely not dog-proof. Therefore, rugs made of those materials should be avoided. In a nutshell, rugs made of natural materials should be avoided because they are not as easily washable as rugs made of synthetics.
Color
Dark-colored rugs are preferable over light-colored rugs simply because they do not show the dirt as obviously. However, the rug’s color is not the only criteria. You need to consider your dog’s color too. Even light shedders leave a plethora of hairs. If you combine a light-colored dog with a dark-colored rug, be prepared to spend a lot of time with the vacuuming machine in your hands.
Pattern
When it comes to showing your dog’s hairs, the pattern is as important as the color. Complex and heavily-patterned rugs are preferable over plain, single-textured rugs.
Size
The rug you choose should be large enough to suit your overall interior design and small enough to be easily cleaned and replaced when necessary. Smaller rugs are easier to roll up and transport to the cleaner’s office than larger rugs. Additionally, smaller rugs are cheaper than larger ones.
Tassels and Fringes
Dogs are heavily attracted to such additions and enjoy chewing them. If swallowed, they can cause intestinal blockage and are considered a safety hazard. Therefore, rugs with such features are not recommended.
Glued-on Back
You should always avoid rugs with glued-on backs. If the rug features a bottom material of some type that is glued on the main rug, chances are you will deal with unpleasant odors on a daily basis. This is because urine tends to soak through the glue thus creating a lasting unpleasant odor source.
Pile
The type of threads that make up the rug are important. Looped pile rugs are dangerous because they can catch your dog’s claw and cause broken nails. Cut pile rugs are preferable.
Outdoor VS Indoor Rugs
In a nutshell, rugs labeled for outdoor use are much more durable than rugs designed for indoor use only. Designed to be weather-resistant, outdoor rugs can persevere more vigorous cleaning techniques. They are also more resistant to your dog’s mischievous shenanigans.
Keeping your rug clean
When cleaning your rug it is advisable to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Here are some generally useful tips and tricks to maintaining clean rugs:
- Short-piled rugs can be easily de-furred with a lint roller. If you are out of lint rollers you can always improvise – just wrap several duct tape loops around your hand with the sticky side facing outward.
- Regular brushing of your dog minimizes the need of cleaning and de-furring the rug.
- Purchasing a high-quality vacuum cleaner designed for pet-friendly households is a good investment, particularly in the long-run. Hairs tend to get stuck and clog into the rug and only a highly powerful vacuum cleaner can suck them up.
- Act quickly and properly if your beloved pouch has an accident on your rug. When cleaning urine from the rug it is advisable to use hand towels instead of paper towels. Then, to remove the stain, put some baking soda and vinegar mixture, hydrogen peroxide or commercially available stain remover over the affected area. First, use the destaining solution on a small area. If it works nicely, clean the entire rug with the solution.
