Pets bring joy to millions of people and often become true companions. But sharing your home with a pet can mean rethinking parts of your interior design.
If you share your home with a cat or dog, you may need to adapt your furnishings to suit them. Cats in particular are known for scratching, and their claws can damage furniture and rugs.
Why Do Cats Scratch Rugs?
Cats are meticulous about grooming themselves, and part of that routine is regularly sharpening their claws. Here's what's really behind the question of why cats scratch rugs:
- Need to burn energy: Cats are naturally active animals. Since they're often confined to a limited indoor space, they look for outlets for their energy — and scratching rugs or furniture is one of them.
- Marking territory: Cats, male and female alike, have a strong instinct to mark their territory. Scratching household items, especially rugs, is one way they stake their claim.
- Stress relief: Scratching also helps cats release stress, which contributes to their sense of calm and relaxation.
Which Rug Types Work Best in a Home With Cats?
If you have a cat, there are two main things to consider when choosing a rug. First, pick a rug your cat's claws can't easily damage. Second, since cats shed, a rug that doesn't trap hair is a smart choice.
Durable Rug Types
If a cat lives in your home, durability should be a top priority. Woven and wool rugs are easy for cats to sink their claws into, so rugs with synthetic yarns and a tighter weave are a better fit. Digitally printed rugs, for example, hold up well against scratching.
Easy-to-Clean Rug Types
A cat-friendly rug should resist trapping hair, since cats shed heavily at certain times of year. Look for a rug that's either low-shedding or simple to clean. Some machine-made rugs are naturally hair-repellent and easy to maintain.
Color and Pattern
Even with a low-shedding, easy-to-clean rug, the right color and pattern choice keeps stray cat hair from standing out. Busier patterns are especially good at camouflaging fur, and you can also match the rug's color to your cat's coat.
Which Rugs Trap the Least Hair?
In homes with cats, low-shedding rugs deserve special attention. Rugs that trap the least hair generally share two traits: a flat weave and a short pile. Here are the rug types that hold onto the least cat hair:
- Kilim Rugs: Kilim rugs have a thin, flat weave that keeps cat hair from sticking to the surface. They generally trap very little hair and are also easy to clean.
- Machine-Made Rugs: Machine-made rugs build up less static electricity, which reduces hair-trapping. Polyester machine-made rugs are also easy to clean.
How Do You Wash a Rug Covered in Cat Hair?
If your rug is covered in cat hair, there are a few simple steps you can take to clean it. Here's how to wash a rug covered in pet hair:
- Vacuum the rug thoroughly before washing it. This pre-cleaning step makes the actual wash much easier.
- If hair remains, go over the rug with a damp cloth to lift it off the surface.
- Finally, wash the rug using a medium-soft cloth.
To browse rugs suited for homes with cats, click this link for details on styles and prices.
