Don’t Leave Out Your Pets!

After some hemming, hawing, and perhaps a bit of procrastination, you’ve decided to purchase new carpet for the home. You’ve thought about pricing, the type of material, and what color would best compliment the rooms for consideration. Perhaps you’ve even gotten opinions from your spouse or your kids.

But there might be one member of your family you haven’t discussed this with (mostly due to faulty lines of communication). They’re the one sitting down at your feet, panting and wagging their tail as they look up toward you. Or maybe they’re laying down on the back of the couch, staring at you with that typical “whatever” gaze. It’s the only member of your family you cannot claim on your taxes: your beloved pet. But they live in your home, too, and they will affect your carpet choice. Here are three things to consider when it comes to pets and new carpet.

Options for Consideration

• Material and Design – If children are in your home, it’s very likely you’ve chosen a type of carpet that can resist stains – as a precautionary measure, if nothing else. Stain resistance is also important for pets. Even a fully potty-trained animal might have an accident. But you also want a durable carpet to withstand paws and claws, even tiny ones that spend most of their time on your lap. Polyester and nylon carpets are both designed for stain resistance and endurance. Wool carpets are sometimes easier to clean, but pets sometimes love to tear them apart.Also consider the design of your choice. Carpet with level loops in the pile could get caught on your pet’s claws or the pads. Likewise, patterned loops might look elegant, but they usually create havoc for small animal feet. Area rugs with tassels or fringes might end up getting chewed or played with, eventually breaking loose or unravelling from the main rug.
• Quality – With carpet, as with most things, you often get what you pay for. That means higher quality tends to fetch higher prices. Keep in mind, however, that your carpet doesn’t have to be identical in every room. Take time to think about what rooms and what areas your pet is likely to frequent. You could use a higher-quality carpet in those areas while balancing out the cost with more affordable carpet in rooms that are less used.
• Color – This one can be a little tricky. Many people want a pleasing color scheme for their home, and the carpet comes into play with that. But if your pet sheds hair, your chosen carpet color might make the hair stand out for all to see. Choosing a color that matches or complements your pet’s coat color often helps to camouflage the hair until you can get it vacuumed up. Of course, it could also work the other way, helping you forget the shed hair is there.Some households rely on medium to dark colors to help lower the visibility of stains and pet hair. But again, out of sight often means out of mind. Also, you might miss a few areas when cleaning simply because you didn’t see them. Thankfully, a professional carpet cleaning from Preferred Carpet Care in Redding thoroughly removes pet hair, stains and odors whether you missed a few areas or not.

We Can Help Guide You

Carpet is a wonderful addition to any home. Keeping it clean and fresh is an important task to maintain your home’s inviting and relaxing atmosphere. Pets are also an important part of our lives. The two don’t have to be exclusive. They can work together in completing our happy home life. If you’d like to know our thoughts on what carpet is best for what pets, please give Preferred Carpet Care a call or ask a few questions using our online form. We’re happy to help you include your pets in your carpet choices, and we excel in keeping your new carpets clean and ready for you and your pets.