Which carpets are the best for cats?

While house cats love curling up on a warm carpet, the two are not always an ideal match. Among the most common problems are carpet pulls, which are caused by cats catching thread loops with their claws. Other problems our feline friends can cause are much more difficult to deal with, like hairballs and territorial and accidental spraying.

Cats also bring dirt in from outdoors and moult, leaving loose hair that can quickly clog up carpet fibres, making floor coverings seem dull or patchy. However, if you have cats, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a carpeted home. In the following sections, we’ll explore some of the options available to solve these problems.

Select cut carpets over looped carpets

Sometimes by accident but often on purpose, cats like to get their paws into everything. Unfortunately for carpets, these paws have claws attached. When cats scratch, stretch or play, their claws can extend and get caught in carpet loops, unravelling the fabric. Once a thread is loose, it becomes a game for cats, making the situation worse. While looped wool carpets are luxurious, a cut pile carpet will be much more suitable for homes with cats.

Choose a neutral-toned carpet

Outdoor cats may bring muddy paws indoors, leaving prints on your floor, and all cats will moult, dropping hair on carpeting. While cats are always dropping loose fur, they also moult heavily twice a year. In summer, they shed their thick winter coat for a lighter summer one, and vice versa when the seasons change again.

While regular vacuuming is a must when you own a cat, dirt, debris and hair can take its toll on carpets, making them lose their appearance. You can combat this by selecting a neutral-toned carpet that doesn’t show up the hair the way a very dark or light product will. Some cat owners even pick carpets the colour of their cats to mask the presence of loose fur.

Carpet cleaning

As mentioned, daily vacuuming will keep on top of cat hair issues, but other messes can be trickier to deal with. Always deal with accidents as quickly as possible – the longer that hairballs, vomit or urine are left to soak in, the harder it will be to remove stains and smells. A natural remedy that is exceptionally effective is sprinkling impacted areas with baking soda. Its absorbent quality can trap excess fluid and unwanted odours, and the soda can then be easily vacuumed up.

Go tiled

Finally, to solve all the issues of cats and carpets with a simple stroke, consider buying carpet tiles. These modular options are ideal for homes with cats, as if an accident occurs, they can quickly be swapped out for a fresh new carpet tile if you buy some extras.

Carpet tiles don’t feature looped fibres either, making them difficult for cats to damage with their claws. They’re also very easy to remove and clean under the tap when you need to resolve a hairball issue.

Ultimately, choosing a cat-friendly carpet for your home will boil down to personal choice, but the above points should assist you in making a decision.