If you’ve got a dog you will know that, unless you choose your furnishings carefully, dogs can make a bit of a mess of your house. They track in mud and dirt from the outdoors, they shed hair, have the occasional accident (check out our article on house-training an older dog), and some may have a chewing habit – not the best combination for carpets and rugs!
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Rugs for Dogs:
- Diagona Designs Area Rug for Dogs – Our Top Pick
- Gorilla Grip Area Rug
- RugStylesOnline Pet Collection
- Mohawk Home Avenue Stripes Indoor/Outdoor Rug
- EXPAWLORER Dog Doormat
However, we don’t think you have to choose utility over style and comfort – it’s possible to have both. In this guide, we are looking at dog-friendly rugs for your home. We have chosen a few different rugs, some made with dogs in mind, and some that are easy to clean and hard-wearing, ideal for life with a dog.
However, there are other factors that you need to take into account when choosing a rug. While the comedy dog-slipping-across-the-floor routine might be amusing the first time, repeated slipping and sliding can put serious strain on your dog’s joints as well as ruining your floor, so you’ve got to ensure that any rug you choose will increase the safety and comfort of your pet.
Our buyer’s guide will give you extra information on what to look for when you’re choosing a rug that is both beautiful and comfortable for you and your home, but also hard-wearing and safe for your pet.
Keep reading for a complete guide to buying a rug that both you and your dog will love.
Top 10 Best Rugs for Dogs in 2022
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
 | Editor’s choice Diagona Designs Area Rug for Dogs
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Great for luxury Gorilla Grip Area Rug
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Best for easy cleaning RugStylesOnline Pet Collection
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Best for non-fading Mohawk Home Avenue Stripes Indoor/Outdoor Rug
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Best for drying your dog EXPAWLORER Dog Doormat
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Best for choice of designs and colors Unique Loom Outdoor Trellis Collection
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Best versatility LOOBANI Non-slip Treads Mat
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 | Best for collecting dirt Furhaven Pet Dog Mat
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 | Best wool Rivet Modern Geometric Wool Area Rug
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 | Best for the planet Fab Habitat Reversible Rug
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
1. Diagona Designs Area Rug for Dogs – Editor’s choice!
The Diagona Designs Modern Stripes Area Rug has a low profile, durable polypropylene pile which means that it is ideal for a high traffic area in a home with pets.
The design we have here has modern stripes, but Diagona offer the same hard-wearing rug in a range of shapes and sizes, with a wide choice of designs and colors. The polypropylene material is stain resistant, doesn’t easily fade and does not shed. If it gets dirty a quick spot-clean should do the trick.
The jute backing of this soft rug means that it does not slip easily, though you may want to put a non-slip rug grip underneath for extra traction.
This rug is really great quality for the price, and with its durable, easy clean surface and wide choice of designs and colors, we think it’s a great choice for a pet-loving household.
- Durable
- Soft
- Easy to clean
- Wide choice of colors, designs, shapes and sizes.
- May need a rug-grip underneath.
2. Gorilla Grip Area Rug – Great for luxury
If you are a fan of soft, cozy deep-pile carpets and rugs, then the Gorilla Grip Area Rug may be what you are looking for.
Unbelievably the soft pile and middle foam layer are fine to go in the washing machine, meaning that with a quick wash followed by a brush if needed, your rug can look as good as new. Alternatively, you can give it the once-over with a hand-held vacuum.
The thick, shaggy material is so comfortable you will be amazed how durable it is. Despite the low price, this rug is made to last even in high traffic areas.
Tiny rubber dots on the underside keep it from sliding around on the floor.
Feedback on this rug is pretty mixed. Some purchasers loved it, have put it through the wash several times and are delighted at the continued plush feel and cozy look. Others have suggested that it gets easily matted and doesn’t come out of the machine nearly as well.
- Deep pile luxury and foam middle layer for ultimate comfort
- Can go in the washing machine
- Rubber dots keep it in place
- Some negative feedback
3. RugStylesOnline Pet Collection – Best for easy cleaning
The RugStylesOnline Pet Collection Bones and Paws Runner Mat is designed with dogs and cats in mind and shows it very clearly with the pet paw and bone design, though it is available in some more traditional carpet designs.
The nylon low pile is anti-bacterial and mold, mildew and stain-resistant which makes it ideal to use in a space where the dog will be walking in mess from the outside. The most common rug types here are doormats and runners. It’s easy to clean, effective with both spot cleaning and easy vacuuming.
The latex rubber back is both slip and skid-resistant, making it a pretty safe option for your dog too.
- Easy to clean
- Resistant to dirt, mold and mildew
- Non-slip
- Not much choice of design or color.
4. Mohawk Home Avenue Stripes Indoor/Outdoor Rug – Best for non-fading
Our fourth choice today, the Mohawk Home Avenue Stripes Indoor/Outdoor Rug is designed to be used either indoors or outdoors, making it very quick to dry and easy to clean, ideal for high-traffic areas of your home.
The stain-resistant nylon is both durable and easy to clean and you’d be surprised how soft it feels under your feet. As it is designed to be out in the sun, the vibrant and colorful stripe pattern is also pretty resistant to the fading power of the sun and to mold and mildew.
A rubbery back makes it pretty good and staying put and slipping or sliding, though some feedback has mentioned that this prevents water from freely draining through it, so it isn’t actually great in the outdoors. However, since we are looking for easy clean and durable rugs for inside the house, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue for us.
- Soft
- Easy to clean
- Bright and colorful
- Resistant to mold and mildew
- Durable
- Not great outdoors, doesn’t drain freely
5. EXPAWLORER Dog Doormat – Best for drying your dog.
The EXPAWLORER Dog Doormat is described as a doormat but is actually a pretty good size (the X-Large is 30″ x 61″), so you could use it as a regular mat, rug or dog bed.
The highly absorbent fabric is made up of thousands of individual microfiber bristles which grab hold of dirt, mud and other detritus and soak up water. If you put it down in your doorway it will grab some of the dirt from your dog’s paws as they step over it, but you can also use it as a towel to give them a quick rub over.
The whole thing can be thrown in the washing machine with a mild detergent and a cold cycle. It will dry quickly, and the simple paw-print design will be good to go once more.
There is a non-skid grippy background, though some have suggested that it does slip a bit, so care should be taken.
- Highly absorbent microfiber
- Soft
- Can be machine washed
- Can be used as a towel for the dog
- More of a doormat or dog bed than an area rug
- Not quite non-slip
- Because it picks up so much dirt and detritus from the dog, it will need washing frequently
6. Unique Loom Outdoor Trellis Collection – Best for choice of designs and colors
Another indoor or outdoor rug, the Unique Loom Outdoor Trellis collection comes in a great variety of colors, designs, sizes and shapes so you can choose one that complements your home decor.
The polypropylene pile and polypropylene backing are stain-resistant and do not shed. The rug is very easy to clean. You can either give it a vacuum or hose it down and it dries very quickly.
We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of this rug. Although it’s thin and lightweight, it feels pleasant on your feet and is durable for high traffic areas. It lays nice and flat so there are no corners to tempt a dog to chew and doesn’t tend to slide, though rug grips may be helpful to secure it completely.
- Good choice of colors and designs
- Stain-resistant, easy clean and quick drying
- Durable
- Not as comfortable as some we’ve reviewed
7. LOOBANI Non-slip Treads Mat – Best versatility
A slightly different concept from the other rugs that we are reviewing today, the LOOBANI Non-Slip Treads Mat is not a rug. Instead, it consists of square carpet tiles that you can arrange to suit you, either down a hallway, near a door, or to create an area rug in the center of a hard floor.
Designed by a company that makes a variety of different mobility aids for dogs, these tiles are specifically manufactured to give dogs a better grip and stop them from slipping on hard floors. Other benefits, of course, are that they muffle sound and protect the floor from the dog claws.
The 12″ square tiles come in a pack of twelve. You simply set them out in the position you want (they can be cut to fit around a door frame if needed) and then peel off the transparent backing film to reveal the acrylic resin self-adhesive backing, and lay them in place on the floor. This holds them nicely in place, but if you need to move them, just peel them up and re-stick, they don’t leave a residue.
Once laid, you have a soft, easy-to-clean polyester fiber on top, in a light and thin layer to make the room feel warmer, and to keep your dog considerably safer from slipping. If one tile does get damaged or stained, it can easily be replaced without having to throw out the whole lot.
- Tailor the shape and size of your coverage to your needs
- Thin and flat so won’t interfere with doors opening and closing
- Easy to clean
- Made with dog safety in mind
- Only come in beige and brown
- Not designed for comfort
8. Furhaven Pet Dog Mat – Best for collecting dirt
The Furhaven Pet Dog Mat is another microfiber chenille mat designed to soak up and absorb any mess from your dog. The tiny, soft filaments trap the dirt, sand or other debris and soak up water, helping to clean and dry your dog. Like the Expawlorer Mat we looked at earlier, it can also be used as a towel for the dog.
Used as a rug (the large is 36″ x 26″ but bigger sizes are available), your dog will happily lay on this comfortable mat, protecting your floors from dirt. As it soaks in and collects the dirt, it does need regular washing, but can easily be thrown in the washing machine and it dries quickly.
We like the neutral soft grey of this rug but would have preferred a wider range of colors.
- Soft and comfortable
- Collects dirt and debris
- Machine washable and quick to dry
- Only one color available
- Will need washing often
9. Rivet Modern Geometric Wool Area Rug – Best wool
The Rivet Modern Geometric Wool Area Rug is the only wool rug that we are reviewing today. Wool, life the polypropylene and nylon materials that we have been looking at, is great for stain resistance and durability, however, it is much more expensive.
This Amazon brand rug is an excellent example. Made mostly of wool, it is medium pile (which does shed a bit at the beginning) which makes it soft and warm to walk on, but it is still durable and easy to wipe clean, even in medium to high traffic areas.
Because of its weight, it doesn’t shift around all that much, but a rug pad would be a good addition to prevent slipping. This is a great rug using natural materials, but it does cost more.
- Natural material
- Stain-resistant and easy to clean
- Soft and warm under foot
- Durable
- Expensive
10. Fab Habitat Reversible Rug – Best for the planet
Our final choice in this review is a rug that is good for the planet. The Fab Habitat Reversible Rug is 100% made from recycled premium plastic. The plastic straws are tightly woven to make a strong and hard-wearing rug that is surprisingly soft and comfortable underfoot.
This practical rug is both mold and mildew resistant and also UV resistant to prevent fading. It’s easy to clean, as you can either just give it a wipe down, shake any debris out, or hose it down outside.
A variety of attractive sizes, colors and designs are available, and the rug is reversible, so if you do end up with some fading or a stain on one side, you can just turn it over. A non-skid pad would be recommended to keep your rug still and prevent slipping.
What we do really like about this rug is the ethical global trade standards the company is signed up to. The precision weaving offers employment in areas of high deprivation and they are signed up to ethical treatment of workers and zero child labor.
- Great for the planet
- Ethically made
- Easy to clean
- Durable, soft and comfortable
- Variety of colors and designs
- A bit more expensive
Best Rug for Dogs Buyer’s Guide 2022
Why get a rug?
You want your home to be warm and comfortable but are concerned about a dog ruining your carpets? A rug will provide you with style and comfort but will protect your flooring, whether a hard floor or carpet. It provides that extra barrier that is cheaper and easier to clean than a carpet.
In addition, a rug will provide an added element of safety in your home. Constant slipping on hard floors adds stress to your pet’s joints and paws over time and could even lead to a fracture, not to mention the scratches it leaves on the floor surface. A rug will give the dog more traction and make them less likely to slip.
A rug can add a cozy feel to your home, and your dog will certainly appreciate it. It will add somewhere soft for them to curl up, or for you to have a game together.
Another great reason for having a rug, that shouldn’t be overlooked, is that it also muffles sounds such as the clickety-clack of dog claws on hard floors.
Material
The material your rug is made of needs to be able to withstand mud and dirt, as well as the ravages of claws and the odd toileting accident. Ideally, it won’t show up too much fluff and hair and should be easy to clean.
The best materials that have all these properties are man-made fibers like polypropylene or nylon, or natural fibers like wool. These keep dirt and shed hair near the surface for easy vacuuming and resist odors.
Price is also a factor, and wool is a more expensive option.
There are a few materials that would be best to avoid:
- Viscose – stains easily
- Seagrass – catches dirt and sand easily, but dogs seem to think the natural fibers are a good place to go to the toilet
- Hook and loop materials – are soft and luxurious but will catch on the dog’s claws
- Rayon, silk or chenille – too luxurious and delicate, will tear and stain more easily
You also want it to be durable, and preferably as chew-proof as possible. If you do have a chewer, you might be interested in these chew-proof dog beds.
Pile
The pile of a rug is about how deep the carpet is.
Short pile is better for several reasons. The first is that it is easier to clean and doesn’t trap shed hairs. Dogs also appear to think that long pile is a bit more like grass in the garden, so they can start to use long pile rugs for digging or going to the toilet. Fleas also like long pile as a convenient place to lay eggs.
Cut pile is better than loop pile. Loops may be softer and more luxurious, but they are prone to catch on dog claws which can cause damage to both rug and dog.
Avoid tassels and fringes where possible. Dogs seem to love to chew and pull at them, and they end up in your dog’s stomach, causing all sorts of problems.
Easy to Clean
A rug in a dog home needs to be easy to clean. Even if you take your shoes off as you enter the house, your dog does not, and they track all sorts of mud, sand, dust and dirt in with them.
There’s no such thing as a completely stain-resistant rug, but you do need one that is easy to clean, whether that’s with a quick vacuum, a spot clean or popping in the washing machine.
Backing
This may not be something you’ve given much thought to before, but the backing of the rug is also pretty important. A glued-on backing may look more durable and better to prevent slipping, but if your dog has toilet accidents and urine gets through the rug, it can soak into the glue, creating a permanent unpleasant odor.
Latex backing, which is brilliant for non-slip flooring solutions, can also break down with urine and stick to the floor surface below.
Design and Color
While of course your personal taste and the decor in your home is the main consideration here, you will also need to take account of your dog.
No matter how little your dog sheds, there will be some hair floating around. A darker color rug is best for a darker dog, and a lighter rug for a pale dog.
However, it’s worth noting that dark colors do not show up dirt and mud nearly as much as light colors and that the busier the pattern or design on your rug, the less obvious any dirt, fluff or stains will be – so a pattern is much better than a plain rug.
Final Thought on Choosing the Best Rug for Dogs
We love the idea that for a relatively small investment you can make a big difference to your home by the simple addition of a well-chosen rug.
If you’re looking for a regular but easy-to-clean and durable area rug, then you may want to opt for the Diagona Designs Area Rug for dogs, the Gorilla Grip Area Rug, or the Rivet Modern Geometric Wool Area Rug.
If you prefer the added durability and hard-wearing of an indoor/outdoor rug, then the Mohawk Home Avenue Stripes Indoor/Outdoor Rug, the Unique Loom – Trellis Collection or the Fab Habitat Reversible Rugs are your go to options.
Or you’re simply after a dog specific mat, then the RugStylesOnline Bones and Paws Mat, the EXPAWLORER Dog Doormat or the Furhaven Pet Dog Mat or even the LOOBANI Non-slip Treads mat are great choices.
It may be that materials are the key factor in your decision making, whether that’s to opt for a natural fiber such as wool, with the Rivet Modern Geometric Wool Area Rug or recycled plastic, with the Fab Habitat Reversible Rugs.
Our personal favorite, and Editor’s Choice today, is the Diagona Designs Area Rug for dogs. We love the easy to clean durability paired with comfort and quality at a reasonable price and we’re really impressed with the wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and designs. Whichever rug you put down in your home, we’re confident that you and your dog will love it.
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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.