Carpet resistant to cat claws?

mariannewims

Hi all,

Strange request I know, but I was wondering if anyone knows of a particular type of carpet that is better than others at standing up to a cat using it as a scratching post?!

My little guy loves clawing at the bottom and top steps of our stairs. He doesn't really sharpen, it's more of a territorial, paw pad scent distribution kind of clawing! He has 2 scratching mats and a wicker laundry basket that he uses for scratching and has access to the great outdors with tree bark galore but just loves the carpet too. I tried to encourage him to use a couple of mats instead but no, he didn't take to them at all.

So, I've resigned myself to the fact that he's not going to stop, but we're getting new carpet fitted in the stairs and landing and I want to minimise the damage done. I don't want the new carpet to look tatty after just a few weeks.

Can anyone recommend a type of carpet that would be more forgiving, or types to avoid completely? All I've found online so far is to avoid loop carpets but more advice would be very much appreciated!

Thanks,
Mad cat woman decorating her house around her cats needs. Sigh. ;-)

lolo62

im in a rented property and have worries about the same kind of thing...
i spoke to a woman at carpet world who has 30 years experience and she recommended low pile carpet and definitely no loops!

another option would be a runner...a friend of mine has a thick sisal runner on her stairs ( wood painted white underneath, very pretty!) and the cats can claw to their hearts content doing no damage...the sisal is so strong and thick it take as much hacking as the kitties like with no sign whatsever

if i had my own house thats what i would be doing... i love cats way more than carpet so there would be plenty of rugs instead

mariannewims

Thanks a million for your reply, Lolo, very helpful

Mar.

u_c_thesecond

mariannewims wrote: »

Mad cat woman decorating her house around her cats needs. Sigh. ;-)

hi sorry ive no advice on this but this made me laugh my head off:)

CJhaughey

I got a big sisal mat from Ikea, it was less than 100 euro and should hold up to cat damage no problem.

planetX

mariannewims wrote: »

Mad cat woman decorating her house around her cats needs. Sigh. ;-)

Don't worry, I bought my sofa with the cats in mind. I went around the showrooms doing little scratches at the fabric. Luckily the dog likes it too:)

I also avoided looped carpets - and mine get a haircut every so often with scissors where they've been fuzzied by claws.