Unless you give your dog frequent baths and daily brushings, it isn’t really possible to keep your home completely clean when you have dogs living there. Even dog owners that do keep their pups well-groomed know that you can’t catch every hair and piece of dirt that they bring into the house. While we love having them as companions, they put an awful lot of wear and tear on our carpet and rugs. If you haven’t considered it before, it might be a good time to buy a rug that your pup can lay and play on throughout the day. These products protect your expensive rugs while still withstanding the rough play and grime that comes from pets. The following reviews show you some of the top dog rugs on the market today that are perfect for your home.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites – 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Pick For Life Pet Playpen Mat
Waterproof
Machine washable
Lightweight
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Best Value
Color & Geometry Indoor Rug
5 different sizes
Machine washable
Non-slip coating on back
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Premium Choice
Paw Brands Orthopedic Bed
Orthopedic padding
Pretty design and colors
Combination dog bed and rug
Check Price
Best for Puppies
SincoPet Reusable Pad
Doubles as a pee pad
Machine washable
Four-layer design
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Kluein Pet Playpen Mat
Lightweight
Cheap
Machine washable
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The 5 Best Rugs for Dogs
The Pick For Life Pet Playpen Mat is the perfect size for your dogs to play on. The large size accommodates all breed sizes, so they won’t damage the floors around it. The material is high quality and incredibly soft. On top of that, it has an absorbent top layer to help with odor control and wick away any moisture. This rug is non-slip and waterproof in case of any accidents. Plus, it is machine washable and easy to clean. However, there are some complaints that the rubber backing comes off after several washes. Still, we love that it is also lightweight and easy to move from your house to your car and think it is one of the best overall rugs for dogs.
Size: 72 x 72 inches
Colors: Grey, green
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Pros
Affordable
Large size
Waterproof
Machine washable
Lightweight
Cons
Rubber backing washes off
Your dogs are most likely to bring mud into the house through the door that you let them in and out of. The Color & Geometry Indoor Entry Rug is one of the best rugs for dogs for the money because of the stylish design and many sizes offered. This rug looks good in any home, and there are five different sizes for you to choose from. It comes with a non-slip grip on the back and is durable and machine washable. The fabric also has a double layer to absorb excess moisture when they come indoors. Even though the design is pretty, it may not be for everyone. However, it is a great way to help dry your dog’s feet before they go running through the house.
Affordable
Large size
Waterproof
Machine washable
Lightweight
- Affordable
- Large size
- Waterproof
- Machine washable
- Lightweight
Rubber backing washes off
- Rubber backing washes off
Size: 32 x 40 inches
Colors: Grey with yellow or blue
Pros
Affordable
Unique pattern
5 different sizes
Machine washable
Non-slip coating on back
Cons
Design might not appeal to everyone
What we love most about Paw Brands Puprug Orthopedic Dog Bed is that it doubles as a dog bed. The orthopedic cushion inside is gentle on your dog’s joints while still looking like a beautiful statement piece on your floor. The colors are neutral and work for all home interiors. It also comes in two different shapes and many different sizes. The rug isn’t large enough for a rowdy play session, but it is a nice place to have your dog lay and keep them off of your more expensive flooring.
Affordable
Unique pattern
5 different sizes
Machine washable
Non-slip coating on back
- Affordable
- Unique pattern
- 5 different sizes
- Machine washable
- Non-slip coating on back
Design might not appeal to everyone
- Design might not appeal to everyone
Size: 50 x 30 inches
Colors: White, grey
Pros
Orthopedic padding
Pretty design and colors
Combination dog bed and rug
Many shapes and sizes
Cons
Expensive
No extra room to play
- SincoPet Reusable Pet Pad – Best for Puppies
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Size: 40 x 60 inches
Colors: Brown
Those who have puppies running around know it’s nearly impossible to keep them from peeing all over our floors. The SincoPet Reusable Pet Pad is the perfect solution because it doubles as a rug and a pee pad because of the four-layer design. Whenever they have an accident, simply throw the rug in the washer and use it all over again. This rug has many different sizes to choose from, so it will fit in any room or area of your house. While it does have an anti-slip back, it doesn’t hold up well. The material is also easy for puppies and dogs to chew through.
Orthopedic padding
Pretty design and colors
Combination dog bed and rug
Many shapes and sizes
- Orthopedic padding
- Pretty design and colors
- Combination dog bed and rug
- Many shapes and sizes
Expensive
No extra room to play
- Expensive
- No extra room to play
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Size: 40 x 60 inches
Colors: Brown
Pros
Doubles as a pee pad
Machine washable
Four-layer design
Cons
Anti-slip gripping doesn’t hold up
Easy to chew through
- Kluein Pet Playpen Mat
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Size: 68 x 48 inches
Colors: Grey
Even though this extra-large Kluein Pet Playpen Mat is huge, it doesn’t have the most padding to make your dog comfortable. Still, we love that the size is enough to cover a large area and protect your floors. The fleece material on top is only somewhat waterproof, and some moisture might leak through, but it is machine washable. This mat is also lightweight and perfect for when you’re traveling.
Doubles as a pee pad
Machine washable
Four-layer design
- Doubles as a pee pad
- Machine washable
- Four-layer design
Anti-slip gripping doesn’t hold up
Easy to chew through
- Anti-slip gripping doesn’t hold up
- Easy to chew through
Size: 68 x 48 inches
Colors: Grey
Pros
Lightweight
Cheap
Machine washable
Cons
No padding
Only slightly waterproof
Lightweight
Cheap
Machine washable
- Lightweight
- Cheap
- Machine washable
No padding
Only slightly waterproof
- No padding
- Only slightly waterproof
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Rugs for Dogs
Rugs really are the perfect way to soften your hardwoods and make a room feel cozier. The only problem with them is that they are easily destroyed by pets when they go years without any protection. Buying a rug for dogs is a perfect solution because you can lay them directly over your existing flooring and never have to worry about them getting dirty or damaged. There are some things that you should be looking for when purchasing one of these dog rugs.
Why Should I Buy a Dog Rug?
There is no point in abusing your expensive carpet just so you must replace it years ahead of schedule. Here are some of the top reasons why purchasing a dog rug is a good idea:
Dogs regularly track in grease, mud, fur, and dirt. Over time, these things get ground into your carpet fibers and wind up damaged and stinky.
Your pup might enjoy chewing and tugging at your expensive rugs and leave them in an unraveled mess. While you should already be providing them with proper chew toys, you’re less likely to be upset when they chew on one of these rugs rather than your more expensive ones.
Dog hair can get everywhere. Even when you brush them every day, you’re never going to be able to find every strand. Their fur eventually embeds itself into your carpeting and compromises the overall aesthetic.
Dogs will vomit, pee, and poo inside the house on occasion. These things happen, even though we’d prefer they didn’t. Buying a dog rug means that they are more likely to soil that item rather than your flooring.
Rugs can be the perfect site for fleas to lay eggs. When you use these machine-washable options, you keep fleas out of your home and off your pet.
What Else to Consider When Buying a Rug for Dogs
Most of the rugs that you buy for your home are not pet-proof. You have to protect them by buying things that can actually withstand some wear and tear.
- Dogs regularly track in grease, mud, fur, and dirt. Over time, these things get ground into your carpet fibers and wind up damaged and stinky.
- Your pup might enjoy chewing and tugging at your expensive rugs and leave them in an unraveled mess. While you should already be providing them with proper chew toys, you’re less likely to be upset when they chew on one of these rugs rather than your more expensive ones.
- Dog hair can get everywhere. Even when you brush them every day, you’re never going to be able to find every strand. Their fur eventually embeds itself into your carpeting and compromises the overall aesthetic.
- Dogs will vomit, pee, and poo inside the house on occasion. These things happen, even though we’d prefer they didn’t. Buying a dog rug means that they are more likely to soil that item rather than your flooring.
- Rugs can be the perfect site for fleas to lay eggs. When you use these machine-washable options, you keep fleas out of your home and off your pet.
Dog Rug Material
There are dozens of different fabrics out there. When you are buying a dog rug, think about how that rug is going to stand up against your pet for the next few years. Fabrics like nylon and polyester are going to be a lot better than cotton or wool.
Dog Rug Color
The color of a rug is useful because it can help hide pet hair and other messes. Consider your pet’s coat and how the color is going to show up on the rug as they shed on it.
Dog Rug Pattern
Patterns also do a decent job at hiding some of your pet’s hair and messes. If you can find a pattern you like, we always recommend it over a solid color.
Rug Non-slip Grip
Nobody wants their dog to get hurt while they are playing in the house. Try to purchase a dog rug with a non-slip backing to keep them from having an accident and getting hurt.
Conclusion: Best Rugs for Dogs
We hope that these reviews of dog rugs have provided you with a few useful options for your own home. At the end of the day, they should keep moisture, fur, and dirt off your flooring and make a perfect place for them to play or take a nap on. We found that the best overall dog rug is the Pick for Life Playpen Mat. However, if you’re looking for a premium option, we think the Paw Brands Puprug is another excellent choice that doubles as a bed and looks stylish in your home.
Featured Image Credit: Paul Steven, Shutterstock
