So you just adopted an adorable little furball. Now that you have a cat, you may be wondering what is the best rug material to get for your home. After all, cats have a habit of scratching everything in sight. And the last thing you want is for kitty to turn your beautiful new rug into a scratching post.
I faced this exact same dilemma a few years ago when I brought home an energetic tabby named Simba. After doing a ton of research (and spending way too much $$$ on rugs), I discovered which materials stand up best to cat claws.
In this guide as a professional custom rugs manufacturer, I will share:
- The 5 best rug materials for homes with cats
- Exactly why cats like to scratch rugs (and how to stop it)
- Clever tricks to camouflage claw marks
- Bonus: My #1 pick for cat-friendly area rugs
Why Do Cats Scratch Rugs?
Before we dive into the best cat rug materials, it’s important to understand the scratching behavior of our feline friends.
You see, scratching is completely natural for cats. In fact, they scratch for a few reasons:
To groom their claws. Scratching helps cats remove frayed outer claws to reveal sharp ones underneath.
To mark territory. Your cat leaves both a visual mark and a scent when they scratch objects.
To stretch their body. Scratching doubles as a good stretch for cats after naps.
So in reality, scratching is an important part of your cat’s normal behavior. And as a pet parent, the goal isn’t to stop scratching completely. Instead, it’s to redirect that natural behavior to acceptable places (like a scratching post).
That said, you obviously don’t want your cat shredding up your beautiful new rug. The good news? There are certain rug materials that stand up extremely well to kitty claws.
5 Best Rug Materials for Cats
Here are my top picks for cat-friendly rug materials that look beautiful, yet withstand scratches:
1. Jute
Jute is a natural fiber that’s rough, coarse and extremely durable. In fact, jute is one of the strongest natural carpet fibers out there.
The tight weave and rough texture mean that cat claws simply glance right off of jute carpet without causing any damage.
Jute is also stain resistant, easy to clean and environmentally friendly. When it does show wear, a jute rug takes on an interesting aged patina over time.
However, jute isn’t the softest material underfoot. So you may want to use a small jute rug with a rug pad underneath for high traffic areas.
Pro Tip: Go for low-pile jute over high-pile for maximum durability. Tightly braided and woven jute can also stand up well to cats.
2. Seagrass
Seagrass rugs are quickly growing in popularity thanks to their durability and beachy natural look.
Seagrass comes from marsh grasses and is extremely resilient to moisture, stains, dirt and everyday wear-and-tear.
Much like jute, the scruffy texture and tight weave construction causes cat claws to simply glance off without snagging. And the natural fibers have slight antibacterial properties which discourage cats from digging.
Seagrass also works great for high traffic areas since constant walking and vacuuming doesn’t affect the sturdy blades. This material is easy to spot clean and can last 15+ years with proper care.
One thing to keep in mind is that natural seagrass has a light greenish-tan color. So claws may leave faint scratch marks until the rug develops a nice patina.
Pro Tip: Look for synthetic or “faux” seagrass rugs which come in different colors to better hide any scratches.
3. Synthetic Fibers (Polyester, Olefin, etc.)
Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, polypropylene and olefin make excellent pet-friendly rug materials.
Rugs constructed from these materials tend to have a very tight, low pile weave. This allows cat claws to easily glide across the surface without catching or pulling.
Synthetics are also naturally stain resistant and repel liquids extremely well. Many polyester and olefin rugs can be spot cleaned or thrown right in the washing machine too.
I’m also a big fan of synthetic leather (pleather) as a cat-friendly rug material. Faux hides tend to be very durable and claws don’t affect them whatsoever.
While 100% synthetic rugs can sometimes feel “plasticky”, many companies are making softer, plusher synthetics that feel amazing underfoot.
Just keep in mind that longer synthetic piles and fibers can still catch stray claws. So opt for low-pile synthetic weaves.
Pro Tip: Synthetic fabrics like polyester are used to make indoor/outdoor rugs. The durable construction and stain resistance works perfectly for homes with pets.
4. Wool
Believe it or not, wool makes an excellent rug material for cats.
The felting process used to manufacture wool rugs makes them dense, durable and resistant to claws. In fact, tightly woven wool can be even more long-lasting than some synthetics.
Wool also has natural stain resistance and moisture wicking properties. This helps hide light claw scratches and everyday dirt.
One downside is that wool isn’t cheap. In fact, wool rugs come with a higher price tag than most other materials.
Pro Tip: For maximum durability, look for wool kilim, berber or flatweave rugs. Avoid fluffy high-pile shag wool which can still catch claws.
5. Microfiber/Faux Fur
Here’s the amazing thing about microfiber and faux fur rugs:
They’re specifically engineered to prevent shedding, pilling and pulling. So they can handle rowdy pets who dig, roll and scratch.
Of course, microfiber has the look and feel of a luxurious sheepskin rug. But without the high price tag and upkeep.
These soft, plush rugs are also stain resistant and easy to spot clean. Lightly brushing them every once in a while refluffs the fibers and restores that lush furry pile.
The one drawback of microfiber is that claws may catch or pull out the fibers a tiny bit. But the rugs are durable enough that this isn’t typically a problem unless kitty is really digging in.
Pro Tip: Look for high-density microfiber with tightly stitched backing. Avoid low-density piles which can shed excessively.
Clever Tricks to Hide Cat Claw Marks
No matter which rug material you choose, your cat will likely scratch their claws on it at some point. Luckily, there are a few simple tricks to hide this normal cat behavior:
Routine grooming – Brushing your cat regularly helps blunt the sharp tips most likely to catch and snag on rugs. You can use cat nail clippers or 파일 to gently blunt your kitty’s claws every 1-2 weeks. This five minute maintenance prevents excessive scratching and damage.
Color choice – Pick rug colors and patterns that blend with your cat’s fur. For example, avoid black and white rugs if you have a ginger tabby. Instead, match your decor to blue, gray or brown hues found in tabby fur.
Frequent vacuuming – Vacuuming not only lifts up shed fur and dirt, but it helps fluff crushed fibers and hide subtle scratches on wool and synthetic rugs. Using a rubber squeegee or brush weekly can also help obscure light claw marks.
Rotate your rugs – Sometimes giving your rugs a break is all you need. If kitty starts targeting one particular rug, simply rotate it out for a few weeks. Putting their “favorite” rug in storage helps break the scratching habit. Then reintroduce it later on for a subtle refresh.
My #1 Pick for Cat-Friendly Rugs
So there you have it – the top 5 best rug materials for active cats who occasionally scratch.
While almost any tight, flatwoven, synthetic rug will stand up well to curious kitties, I have one particular recommendation…
Ruggable washable rugs.
Now before you roll your eyes, hear me out on why Ruggable is pretty much claw proof:
Durable synthetic rug layer – The top rug layer is made from woven polyester or nylon fibers. So cats can knead and scratch without damaging the thick, tight weave.
Water resistant pad – The bottom pad repels liquids like cat pee and other accidents. And since the top layer is removable, you can toss just the rug in the wash instead of the whole thing.
Machine washable – Accidents happen! Being able to remove stains by throwing these rugs in the wash makes life so much easier.
Simply put, I think Ruggable combined the best traits of all 5 rug materials into one versatile, cat-friendly product.
While the initial price is higher than a regular rug, not having to replace your flooring every few years is worth it. Especially with destructive kitties running around!
So there you have it! Now you know exactly what rug materials can withstand kitty claws… along with some handy tricks to hide subtle scratches.
And remember: occasional scratching is perfectly normal for cats. So try not to get angry if you notice the odd snag. Instead, gently redirect that impulse to a scratching post or cat tree.
Now I’d love to hear from you!
What kind of rug do you have?
How well does it hold up to cat claws?
Let me know in the comments below!