When I brought home my first cat almost a decade ago, I didn’t expect these fluffy overlords to take complete control of every little selection in my home. But here I am, researching the best carpet for cats and learning that not all carpets are “feline approved.”
The most common issue you will face in the coexistence of carpets and cats is scratching. On top of that, spraying or doing a number on the carpet is not out of the question. If you have ever had your cat pee on the carpet, you know it is nearly impossible to get rid of the odor. Also, expect to see spills and vomits on different spots of the carpet.
And this is exactly why you need to pick the best carpet for cats that’s up for the challenge. Let’s learn how to choose the best carpet for cats and also how to maintain it.
- COUCH PET BED FOR GOOD PET HEALTH: Our airy woven dog sofa cushion, made of thick PE foam and fully covered in cotton, supports your furry friends’ joints and relieves pressure points; The cat sofa encourages your pets to sleep deeper and more restfully
Table of Contents
How to Choose the Best Carpet for Cats
Cut fiber over looped fiber
Cats love scratching and sharpening their claws on a textured fabric. They can easily pull and unravel looped carpets. Even their nails can get caught in the loops unintentionally and cause them to come apart. So, even though looped pile carpets are widely available, opt for cut carpets. The strands are cut in this type of pile, so there aren’t any loops for your cats to get their claws stuck intentionally or unintentionally. Also, you can trim off any fuzziness easily to keep the fiber in “purrfect” condition.
High density
The density of a carpet determines how much liquid spills seep into the carpet. You cannot realistically expect to get to every spill and accident on time. So, choose carpets with highly dense fiber to buy you some time before the liquid reaches the back of the carpet, which is tedious to clean. Moreover, moisture stuck at the bottom of the carpet can damage the subfloor.
Polyester fiber
Polyester is extremely popular for being the cheapest yet incredibly durable carpet material with stain-resisting properties. It will withstand your cat’s constant clawing and zoomies. Polyester resists oil-based stains. You can also use a fabric seal spray to make it resist water-based spills.
- Prevents water damage
- Resists Color fading
- Repels spills and stains
- Use on cushions, pillows, umbrellas and more
- Do not use on: suede, delicate leathers, carpeting or surfaces subject to foot traffic
Stain-resistant carpet
Choosing a stain-resistant carpet will save you from lots of scrubbing and rubbing in the future. How well a carpet will resist stains depends on the fiber. Wool, nylon, and polyester are the three best choices for stain-resistant carpet fibers.
Wool is naturally stain-resistant but lies a bit on the pricier side. Nylon brings the best of the two worlds — affordability and protection from liquid spills and oil stains. Lastly, polyesters are the cheapest carpets with natural oil-based stain resistance that can also be enhanced to resist liquid spills.
Darker colors
One way to beat stains is to simply choose carpets with darker colors. Lighter color carpets show stains and make them stick out to the eyes. They will also show patches of fur — therefore, they are not best suited to live with your furry friends. Darker colors conceal inevitable mishaps. So, you only need to worry about getting the substance and the odor out rather than the stain.
Patterns over plain carpet
Patterned carpets help conceal stains and frayed areas, whereas plain carpet accentuates them. Although choosing pattern versus solid carpet is a style choice, patterns are easier to maintain with your cats spilling and clawing it “occasionally.” You can also choose lighter carpets as long as they have prints to cover any imperfections.
- WATER REPELLENT SPRAY: Four Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield Fabric Spray, 10.5 oz cans, that protects fabrics against the elements
- IDEAL FOR MANY OUTDOOR ITEMS: Water repellent spray is ideal for use on outdoor fabrics during the rainy Spring season, including tents, outerwear, rain gear, umbrellas, patio furniture, outdoor gear, backpacks, canvas tarps, boat covers and more
- SAFE FOR MANY FABRICS: Use this fabric spray before Spring and Summer outings on polyester, nylon, polypropylene, cotton, leather, suede and more
Use carpet pads with a moisture barrier
Many manufacturers now offer carpet pads with a moisture barrier on both sides. Moisture barrier protects the subfloor underneath by preventing liquid absorption. It also prevents mold and mildew growth due to trapped moisture in the back of the carpet. Although it might cost you more than regular carpet pads, not having to worry about mold and subfloor damage makes it worth the price.
Lower VOC rating
This one is not about preventing your cats from scratching the carpet or the durability — but the safety of our precious cotton balls. Carpets and other household items can contain volatile organic compounds or VOCs that can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation and have neurological effects. Choose a carpet certified by Greenguard or have the Green Label from the Carpet and Rug Institute to ensure that it has low-VOC standards.
- CERTIFIED GENTLE AND SAFE Chlorine free and color safe. Safe to use around pets and children. No hazardous propellants, no residue left behind. So gentle it’s been Certified Safe for all carpets, earning the Seal of Approval by the trusted Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)
- ELIMINATES STAINS, ODORS AND RESIDUE If it’s gross, it’s gone. Not just the stain, but the stink. From stinky yellow pet urine and feces to vomit and other organic spills, our professional strength formula tackles them all.
- EVERY SURFACE, EVERY TIME For use on carpets, floors, furniture, clothing, litter boxes, kennels, carriers, all pet living and sleeping areas—anywhere stains happen.
How to Maintain Carpets with Cats
Use a fabric seal spray
Fabric seal sprays prevent spills and liquids from seeping into the carpet by waterproofing the top part. They also make it more resistant to water-based stains. Regular water shield sprays from Thompson’s and Scotchgard have proven to be effective at protecting the fibers from water. Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Spray is another excellent option for sealing the top fibers.
Simply spray a thin layer of fabric seal on the carpet area and let it dry completely. Remember to spray it in a well-ventilated area. After the first layer dries, spray another coat and leave it to dry. Even though most fibers don’t discolor from fabric seal spray, we still recommend testing it out on a corner beforehand.
Clean spills and pees immediately
Clean up any spills and accidents as soon as you notice them. If your carpet is still wet, blot the urine as much as possible using a paper towel or similar absorbent materials. Cover the area with a towel and apply pressure. Refrain from rubbing as it will spread the urine to other carpet areas. Then proceed to clean the area thoroughly.
Here is the most effective way to deal with pet pee on the carpet.
Clip your cat’s nails regularly
Keep your cat’s nail short so it doesn’t get caught on the carpet fiber easily. Long nails can get caught on the carpet when running around and loosen the rug thread. Short nails will not damage the carpet significantly, even if your cat scratches it.
- 【MULTI-SIZE SUITABILITY】Measures 43.3” L x 14.96” W, fits 27 1/2″-35 15/16″ doors (in width). Please be sure to measure the width of the door before purchasing.
- 【WIDENED DESIGN】We have widened the carpet protector, so you can cut it into any shape you want, or cut it into single-sided or double-sided wings to satisfy your needs.
- 【PROTECT YOUR CARPET FROM SCRATCHING】Made of durable & recyclable PVC plastic with 0.07in (1.8mm) thickness, effectively stopping cats from scratching and protecting the carpet well.
Offer scratching posts
Scratching is an instinctive behavior. So, it’s always better to teach them the correct spot to sharpen their claws rather than telling them not to do something natural to them. Offer scratching posts in areas where your cat frequently hangs out. We recommend placing at least one scratching post in each room. If you notice a spot in the carpet your cat tends to scratch the most, place the scratching post there to build better habits.
- Premium Quality Materials – This product is made of 100% natural sisal hemp.The base and top is a weighted MDF covering the carpet.Nature High Quality Sisal Safe Plush Long Lasting Usage Stable basement, never tip over easily.
- Protect your furniture – Grab sticks and plush toys combine to attract cats to play and grab, natural sisal is suitable for cats to grab, effectively preventing cats from grabbing furniture
- Designed for indoor use – Neutral colors work well with existing decor in your home.ideal for any living room, bedroom, or home office
Remove cat hair regularly
Hold on — I’m not talking about shaving down your cat but regularly removing their hair from the carpet. Cat hair will get stuck everywhere in the house, especially on the fiber of the carpet. Use a powerful vacuum to pull cat hair out of the carpet. You can also use a pet hair remover on the carpet. Also, brush your cat regularly to remove loose fur and minimize shedding.
- KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN AND PRISTINE with the Necoichi Purrfection Feline Hair Remover which is designed with textured microfibers, το pick up fur and fuzz from large surfaces as well as nooks and crannies.
- ECO FRIENDLY NOT BUYING STICKY PAPER: You can now remove cat hair and lint from your couch, carpets, floors and clothes, in an eco-friendly and economical way. No more money wasted on pet cleaner refills!
- NEATLY DISPOSE OF COLLECTED HAIRS: Our ergonomic pet hair remover roller collects pet fur in the handy storage container. Just flip the lever back and forth, to dispose of the fur once the container is full!
Use cat deterrent sprays
- Description Coming Soon
- Makes a loverly gift idea
- Good quality item
You can use vinegar to deter your cat from peeing on the carpet. The Clean ‘n’ Tidy Don’t Pee Here Spray is also a great product that will prevent your cat from peeing on the carpet or anywhere else around the house.
Did you find these tips helpful in finding the best carpet for cats? Comment below and let us know!
One Response