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12 Pet-Friendly Rugs That Are Durable Yet Stylish

When choosing a pet-friendly rug for your home, consider the material, rug pile, cleaning instructions, and color.

lifestyle image of living room and two rug images composite

While pets are beloved members of any household, they also tend to shed and bring in dirt from the outdoors. For that reason, it's important to find home décor that works for you and your four-legged friends. We recommend starting with your rugs, especially given how much pets are drawn to them.

When selecting a pet-friendly rug for your home, you will want to consider color, material, pile, and cleaning instructions. Once you know what to look for, you can search for a design that works with your home's current aesthetic. From simple, neutral designs to eye-catching geometric patterns, you're sure to find a rug that complements your space, as well as your pet's needs.

What Makes a Pet-Friendly Rug?

When it comes to choosing a pet-friendly rug, there are a few qualities to be on the lookout for.

Color

Consider a hue that is able to hide your pet's fur when they shed, as well as any potential messes. "I recommend looking for a darker rug or something with a pattern to hide any marks from your pet," says Jade McNeil, the owner and principal of Jade McNeil Interiors.

Material

You also want a rug that can stand up to frequent paw traffic, especially if it's placed near the back door, where pets often enter and exit. "We lean towards a variety of indoor and outdoor rugs and pillows inside the home, as they are performance fabrics and repel stains," says Erin Coren of Curated Nest. "For material, we find that man-made fibers, such as nylon, polyester, and polypropylene, are always better for pets. Shy away from viscose since it doesn't clean well."

Pile

Additionally, rugs with short cut piles are great for pet-filled homes—looped pile rugs can snag on a pet's nails and long shag varieties can be tough to clean.

Ruggable Delphina Delft Blue Rug

blue and cream rug on a yellow background

Inspired by the ancient Greek city of Delphi, this washable, pet-friendly rug has beautiful, swirling florals that add an elevated touch to your room. It's also supremely durable, stain-resistant, water-resistant and can be tossed in the washing machine when needed.

Rugs USA Light Grey Stacey Washable Diamond Area Rug

cream patterned rug on purple background

This low-pile rug offers understated sophistication with a subtle diamond pattern. Made from polyester, it's all machine-washable, meaning pet accidents or muddy paw prints can be washed out easily.

Loomy Sand In Your Feet Kilim

kilm tan, orange and pink rug on orange background

Handwoven by artisans in India, this rug is made from a mixture of wool and cotton, making it durable enough to withstand high-traffic areas of your home, from both paws and human feet. The neutral background with pops of pink adds a warming touch to the rug and the room it's in.

Jonathan Adler Inkdrop Black and Ivory Rug

Jonathan Adler Inkdrop Black and Ivory Rug
Courtesy of Ruggable

This geometric runner not only features a unique design that mirrors ink lines, but it is also water-resistant, stain-resistant, and machine-washable. "The best part is if your pet has any accidents, you can throw it right in the washing machine," McNeil says. Simply detach the rug from the pad and add it to a load of laundry to get it clean again.

Article Arroyo Rug

Article "Arroyo" Rug
Courtesy of Article

Made with synthetic fibers, this rug can stand up to messes. "When you have pets and high-traffic areas, you want to keep in mind that high-performance fabrics and rugs are essential," says Mary Maloney, the owner of Bee's Knees Interior Design. That's why she loves this ombré woven pattern rug from Article, which was made from recycled plastic bottles.

Serena and Lily Indio Rug

Serena and Lily "Indio" Rug
Courtesy of Serena and Lily

Polyester is a great rug material if you have pets, since it allows you to easily blot away spills (or accidents) for quick cleanup. The handwoven piece also features soft, fringed edges, making it a modern staple you'll treasure for years to come.

Revival Comb Washable Rug

Revival "Comb" Rug
Courtesy of Revival Rugs

This rug is made of 100 percent recycled polyester and features a grippy base, making it slip-resistant for anyone making their way over it—including your pets. Moreover, it's machine washable, so you can easily clean up pet hair and dander.

Annie Selke Samson Navy Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Annie Selke "Samson" Navy Indoor/Outdoor Rug
Courtesy of Annie Selke

Whether you need to shake out a rug covered in fur or spray it down with water, the process will be easy if you choose this indoor or outdoor rug from Annie Selke. The navy, striped handmade piece is inspired by the designer's personal antique collection. It's also lightweight, low profile, and reversible, making it incredibly versatile to use inside or outside your home.

West Elm Shale Striations Easy Care Rug

West Elm "Shale Striations" Easy Care Rug
Courtesy of West Elm

No matter if they're made by you or your pet, spills and stains on rugs are easy to come by—all the more reason to get a design that will disguise any accidents. "The striation pattern helps to hide marks from your pet and is made from polyester, which means it is stain resistant and extremely easy to keep clean," McNeil says. "The all-cut pile—as opposed to loops—also helps with pets who like to scratch and pull out fibers, so your rug will always look as good as new."

Martha Stewart Lattice Rug

Martha Stewart Lattice Rug
Courtesy of Martha

Martha's lattice rug is luxurious enough for indoor use but durable enough to display outside—meaning it can definitely stand up to your pets. A pale aqua tone is the base for a layered, cream-colored design, giving this rug the ideal mixture of uniqueness and versatility.

West Elm Maven Outdoor Rug

West Elm "Maven" Outdoor Rug
Courtesy of West Elm

Artisans created this colorful rug with antique Turkish textiles in mind. Great for your patio or deck, the rug was formulated with a unique blend of weather, mold, and mildew-resistant materials. "These rugs from West Elm can be used indoors or outdoors and are made of polyester with the feel of high-quality wool," says Maloney.

Flor All the Right Angles Rug

Flor "All the Right Angles" Rug
Courtesy of Flor

Both washable and durable, this pet-friendly rug also adds a unique design element to your home. The carpeting comes in black and bone hues and is inspired by ancient Greek key patterns.

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