Your pets’ claws can unfortunately snag in the loops and the loops can become pulled and unraveled. If your cat or dog has got long claws and is prone to scratching the carpet, then a loop pile, berber pile or a mixed cut-and-loop pile carpet might not be a good idea. The way a carpet is constructed can be an important first determinant of whether it suits your pet or not. At the same time of course there remains the level of comfort it delivers and of course how well it matches your décor and lifestyle. There’s also perhaps the aspect of allergy control to consider. In making your choice of carpet then, durability and stain-resistance are obvious selection criteria, as is the ease of cleaning. And here we’re always happy to provide some sound advice. They will scratch, shed fur and have accidents and all we can do is to choose carpets that help us to limit the problem. The thing is, none of us can really control and protect against the natural behaviour of our four-legged friends.

To the disappointment of the more desperate homeowner, our honest answer generally begins, ‘No, not really, I’m afraid…’. Living in a country of pet owners like us, the question: ‘Is there such a thing as a pet-proof carpet?’ is one we’re quite often asked.

Carpet runner that is cat proof