 | Patrick Goebel has been involved in the home improvement industry for over 10 years and is currently director of retail flooring of the Flooring & Decorating Division of Star Lumber & Supply Co., Inc. You may contact Patrick by email at pgoebel@starlumber.com or by phone at (316) 942-2221. |
Carpet, Tile & Floor Covering
2005-09-01 07:39:00
What's the best carpet for pets?
: I'm sure there all kinds of things one must consider when buying carpet, but we are most concerned about the best type for pets. We have two lab-cross house dogs. Any 'pointers'?
ANSWER: No pun intended, right? You might be surprised, but few households with pets stop to consider this when purchasing carpet, and it should be a consideration. When choosing carpet for a home with pets, the first thing to think about is color - not just the color of the room, but the color of your pet. Is he black, white or brown? Does he shed a lot? If you have a pet with darker hair, The Carpet Rug Institute (CRI) recommends purchasing a medium to dark carpet to help camouflage shedding. The same goes for lighter-haired pets. Of course, this is for those times when you don't vacuum as often as you would like. Keep in mind that a dark carpet may not be the best option for your white-haired, four-legged friend."Carpet is very forgiving," says Ken McIntosh, director of technical services for CRI. "It not only helps disguise animal hair, but it also helps minimize airborne pet dander and keeps those fuzzy hairballs from forming in a room's corners as they do with hard floors. Vacuum often - for cleanliness and for the carpet's appearance."The pet's activities may dictate a certain type of carpet. People whose dogs are vigorous diggers, or whose cats enjoy "kneading" surfaces with their claws, should avoid carpet with large loops, as claws can become caught in the pile more easily. There are also carpet pads now available that act as odor absorbents. They are relatively new in the industry, but should definitely be a consideration.Comfort should also be a consideration, as pets, like their owners, enjoy softness underfoot. In fact, a study by the American Pet Association found that more than seven million dogs spend their nights on the floor.
