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The ideal pet carpet should be easy to clean from muddy paws, dog drool, or accidents that happen during potty training. “Many carpets have built-in stain and moisture resistance, which can make them easier to clean,” Rob White, director of cleaning systems at Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning, told The Spruce Pets. “You should address pet waste immediately, as the sooner you do it, the better.”
We tested more than 30 dog-friendly rugs in our New York City testing lab and in our own homes, subjecting each rug to weeks of foot traffic and paw rubs. From brisk walks to sleeping, our rugs take a beating. Our favorite is the durable Linear Striped Multicolor Rug, which comes in two pieces so the top is machine washable. If you’re looking for a classic rug that works with a variety of home decor options, we love the LL Bean Woven Area Rug, which is washable and durable so it won’t slip every time you walk on it. We’ve found a few other options worth checking out:
We like: Machine wash and dry; Wide range of sizes, colors, and styles; Very low lint; Relatively lightweight and easy to move around
While most rugs recommend using a pad (usually sold separately) to provide traction and protect your floor, the Ruggable rug comes with a pad, so you’re buying a two-piece “rug system.” The outer rug is attached to the carpet pad, but it can be removed for washing in a regular washing machine.
While Ruggable offers a variety of machine-washable rugs, our favorite is the Ruggable Linear Striped, which comes in multicolor or navy. If you’re looking for a dog-friendly doormat, Ruggable has that, too.
The rug components of the Ruggable system are made of polyester with a waterproof polyurethane barrier for effective protection against pet splashes. Any items that cannot be spot cleaned can be easily washed in a regular washing machine. The rug backing is latex-free and easy to clean. The carpet and backing together are only a quarter inch thick.
While we’ve had the best experience with Ruggable’s selection of treadmills and mats, there are other machine washable brands worth considering, including Tumble and Rugs USA.
What we like: Double-sided and easy to vacuum; available in four shapes (rectangular, round, oval, streamlined) and six colors; range of sizes; all wool (not synthetic)
A great choice for families with dogs is the LL Bean Woven Wool Rug, which has a durable texture and is soft to the touch. To test the rug’s performance, we brush it with a pet brush, using a motion similar to that of a dog scratching the surface of the rug. The rug has signs of wear and a few loose fibers, but is in excellent condition overall. The rug is also reversible, which may extend its life.
For daily maintenance, the carpet is easy to vacuum, and in our tests, picking up coffee grounds with a handheld vacuum didn’t take long. Chocolate syrup is best removed with detergent and a rag. We tried paper towels, but they tore and bits of them stuck to the carpet fibers. Wool is naturally stain-resistant, but it’s not as effective at combating wet stains as many synthetic fibers.
During testing, a non-slip pad of appropriate size was added under the rug to make the rug more stable and comfortable. The intricate wool weave, which we think looks even more impressive in person than online, gives the rug a classic look. The rugs are available in four shapes (oval, round, rectangular) and six colors, each woven with a different complementary shade.
Although we have tested over 50 different rugs, for our latest round of testing we purchased 30 rugs and sent each one to volunteers’ homes for real-world use and evaluation. Our standards include:
Using this first-hand knowledge, we’ve ranked and classified our top picks, each of which received high marks from our testers.
Rugs can be made from natural materials like wool and jute, or synthetic materials like polyester and polypropylene. Both materials are generally safe for use in homes with dogs (unless your dog has allergies). Look for textile certifications like OEKO-TEX Standard 100, a seal that certifies that all materials are free of over a thousand hazardous substances.
Most carpets can be vacuumed, but many manufacturers recommend using low suction power and/or avoiding the brush attachment (also called a brush bar or roller brush) on the vacuum cleaner attachment. A handheld vacuum is also recommended.
Having your carpet professionally cleaned once a year and/or taking it outside and blotting it to remove particles will help extend its life.
To completely remove your dog’s organic matter (drool, vomit, urine, and feces), you’ll need an enzymatic cleaner. You can check out our top-rated pet stain removers. For carpet stains, the ones we recommend should be as simple as using the recommended cleaner and mixing it thoroughly with a paper towel or rag.
When potty training a child, using an enzymatic cleaner is crucial to completely eliminate any residual odors. Dogs have a keen sense of smell, so even a slight trace of urine can leave a mark in the same place. Using a urine analyzer, you can check for any residual urine that you cannot smell.
A tassel may look pretty, but it is a tempting chew toy for puppies and even adult dogs. If you know your pet is a chewer, or you have a puppy, avoid using tassels to save yourself the frustration and a trip to the vet. High-pile carpets are just as tempting to chew. Smooth-woven carpets are less appealing to dogs and easier to clean.
We like: All-natural, hand-knit wool (not synthetic); feels soft underfoot; neutral color complements a variety of home decor
Cons: Not as scratch-resistant as other rugs on our list; not recommended for high-traffic areas
The Best Wool: This rug is soft and comfortable to walk on barefoot. Each Hable Cross-Vine Crochet Wool Rug by Garnet Hill is made from 100% wool and has a cotton fabric backing for stability. In a real home setting, we don’t feel the need to put a rug underneath.
The rugs are rectangular in shape and come in three sizes, plus a long strip. All sizes come in two colors (navy or beige), which are neutral enough to suit most homes. To test, coffee grounds were sprinkled on top, and it took several passes of the vacuum cleaner to pick up all the debris.
This rug is perfect for a bedroom, office, or living room. If you have a puppy who is being potty trained or a dog who likes to scratch your rug, you should place this rug in a room where he can’t go unsupervised (see our list of the best pet doors).
What we like: Caterpillar shape available in eight sizes and seven colors; Suitable for high-traffic areas; OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
Best Rug: Rugs from the Crystal Collection by Safavieh are great for high-traffic areas like hallways or entryways. The synthetic (polypropylene) rug has a shorter pile (0.25 inches), is shed-resistant, and is stain-resistant.
In our home tests, the rug demonstrated good durability, and the intentional stains we left behind (coffee grounds and chocolate syrup) were easily removed with a vacuum cleaner, mild detergent, and a cloth. This rug is Standard 100 certified by OEKO-TEX, a global nonprofit organization that independently tests textiles. Standard 100 certification means that all materials used to make this rug are free from more than 1,000 chemicals known to be harmful to human health.
Carpet pads are very resistant to scratches and scuffs and are available in a variety of colors to suit almost any home. For added stability and comfort, use a rug.
What we like: Suitable for open spaces, high traffic areas and under kitchen counters; Water resistant; No signs of wear after testing.
Best Outdoor Rug: Ikea’s Lydersholm rug is neutral, durable, and water-resistant, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, as well as high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens. The rug showed no signs of wear in our scratch test, which involved scrubbing the surface with a pet brush.
This rectangular rug is made of polypropylene, a soft, flexible material that resists stains well. It’s not machine washable, but you can shake it out or vacuum it up with regular floor cleaner. In our home tests, coffee grounds were quickly picked up, and chocolate syrup stains only took a few paper towels. You can also use a damp cloth and mild detergent if you prefer. A soft brush will work for dried-on stains.
The rug is available in two sizes (6’7″ x 9’10″ and 5’3″ x 7’7″) and comes with a rubber backing to help keep it in place. If more stability is needed for indoor use, IKEA recommends using the Stopp Filt anti-slip mat underneath. Depending on the size you choose, you may need to use multiple rugs and cut them to hide them.
Best Floristry: Rifle Paper Co.’s Provence Joliette Rug is woven on a loom and is durable enough to withstand abrasion from claws and paws. The rug has a soft surface, is easy to vacuum (coffee grounds come off quickly), and is made from a blend of 83 percent polyester and 17 percent polypropylene, so it resists stains and accidents well.
The machine-knit rug is cut with a lush, vibrant floral pattern (a signature Rifle Paper Co. design element) against a dark background, so the pile height is intentionally varied while keeping the overall height low.
It comes in nine sizes to fit different spaces, and it’s best to use an underlay underneath to keep it in place (underlay sold separately). Many photos of the rug online show fringed edges, but not all sizes (like the 2’6″ x 4′ we tested) have this design feature.
What We Like: Available in nine solid colors; Thick, plush; Easy to remove stains; Affordable What We Don’t Like: Mat not included; Needs vacuuming and shaking to remove coffee grounds
Best Plush Rug: The Milan Shag Collection Accent Rug comes in four shapes, more than 20 sizes, and nine solid colors. This affordable rug from Safavieh (the same company that made our best runner rug) is soft and cozy.
During our test, we scattered some coffee grounds to see if they could be easily removed from the carpet. To completely remove the coffee grounds, you will have to vacuum the carpet several times, then lift it up and shake it out. However, overall, this carpet is low-maintenance and can be easily spot-cleaned. The carpet is made entirely of polypropylene, so a mild detergent and a cloth will be enough to remove most stains.
The Milan Shag Collection Accent Rug does not include a backing, but it is recommended.
Best Check Rug: The AllModern Walker Check Area Rug is stain-resistant, durable, and available in a variety of color combinations. The rug is soft to the touch and easy to clean.
The synthetic fibers of a shag carpet are resistant to moisture, and after spot cleaning and vacuuming, the shag texture becomes soft and fluffy again. If you choose a light-colored carpet and spill something like coffee or chocolate syrup on it, you may notice a slight change in color even after cleaning.
The rugs come in three shapes (rectangular, striped, and square) and eight sizes. The rug has a thick edge and lays flat right out of the box. The rug’s backing is a polyester-jute blend, which provides some traction, but if you don’t plan to secure the rug under your bed frame, you may want to consider adding an underlay (sold separately).
We like: Customizable in size; Made from biodegradable, unbleached jute; Scratch-resistant; Includes rug
Best Jute: Jute is a natural fiber made from plants, and the textile is often referred to as burlap. Revival’s Hart Jute Rug can be used indoors or out. It’s durable and stain-resistant, and its neutral color adds texture and warmth to any space. Revival offers custom sizes of this rug, as well as rectangles and stripes in a variety of sizes.
For two months, Hart jute rugs were subjected to daily trampling by people and pets (a cat and a dog). The plant fibers are tightly woven by hand and are not easily blown or pulled out.
To clean up spills, we recommend using a handheld vacuum and spot cleaning. In wet weather, the edges of the rug can curl up (which is common with jute rugs), which is not good for chewy dogs. Revival has a simple solution: fold the corners, roll the edges up like a burrito, and lay them flat (watch this video from Revival to learn more).
For testing purposes, we added a matching Revival underlay (can be added at checkout), which we highly recommend to help keep the rug securely in place. The overall thickness is less than half an inch.
Best Faux Fur: A soft faux fur rug is likely to become one of your dog’s favorite places to hang out. The Ashler Home Super Soft Faux Sheepskin Rug is our favorite because it’s easy to care for, affordable, and has a suede-like backing that keeps the rug in place without the need for additional padding. After two months of use in the tester’s home, this low-maintenance rug showed virtually no signs of wear.
The carpet is made of synthetic material and can be vacuumed and cleaned with a mild detergent. In our coffee grounds test, the vacuum quickly picked up the particles without damaging the faux fur. Depending on the size of your super soft faux sheepskin rug, you can also machine wash it on a gentle cycle and hang it to dry. The rug is designed to withstand scratching from your dog’s claws, and the manufacturer even recommends cleaning the rug with a wide metal comb.