Cats have a need to scratch. It's a battle older than time: your cat vs. your household possessions. Cats aren't picky when choosing something on which to sharpen their nails, and felines don't distinguish your favorite belongings from junk. The same holds true for rugs, but some carpeting holds up better to a cat's persistent scratching. Choosing Your Carpet There are a multitude of choices when it comes to replacing your home's flooring. Carpet may be more pet-friendly, as both dogs and cats have soft pads, and can slide and flounder on hardwood or linoleum surfaces. A wool carpet is desirable, as its durability can withstand a cat's nails, and fur tends to remain at the surface, as opposed to sinking deep into the pile. It's naturally fire-resistant, making it a safe alternative. Along with the pros of a good, durable wool may come a hefty price tag, so the more budget-minded consumer may prefer to seek an alternative. Alternatives Nylon fiber carpet is a good alternative to wool and is the most common fiber used in today's carpeting.

It is hard-wearing and durable, and can withstand constant contact with a feline's nails. Nylon is treated to be stain resistant, which can create a pet-friendly environment. Nylon is a man-made fiber, while wool is a natural fiber, so the eco-friendly consumer may choose to shy away from nylon because of chemical additives. Pile Low piles may wear quickly, especially in high-traffic areas. Higher piles may have a longer life expectancy, but can trap hair deep within the fibers. A Berber style may be a less preferable choice, as the loops in Berber can be easily pulled by a cat's claws. The Need to Scratch and Knead Regardless of the choice you make when considering a new carpet, your cat is likely to scratch. Cats have a need to scratch to groom their claws, and claws are normally extended when a cat stretches after a long, lazy nap. Provide an alternative for your cat, such as a scratching post, to satisfy your cat's need to dig. Cats also knead, which can give your carpet a workout.

A cat identifies kneading with the comfort of nursing, and many cats knead throughout their entire lives. The Ultimate Decision Ultimately, the best carpet to resist a cat's scratching will be determined by budget, eco-friendly alternatives and preferred appearance. You may chose to go with a lesser-priced alternative, although the carpet may need to be replaced more frequently, or a higher-priced wool, that will give you and your feline companion years of comfort. References Fidose of Reality: Best Rugs to Get For Pet HouseholdsHarrisons Carpet One: Carpet Fibre TypesPetMD: Why Do Cats Knead? Photo Credits George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images MORE MUST-CLICKS: Do Cats Multiply in Age Like Dogs? Are Azaleas Poisonous to Pets? How to Keep a Dog From Turning Over the Food Dish The Number of Vocalizations in Cats Vs. Dogs Diseases Passed Between Cats & Dogs What Kinds of Intestinal Parasites Do Cats & Dogs Transmit? Are Irises & Daylilies Poisonous to Cats & Dogs? What Happens to a Cat or Dog After It's Spayed or Neutered?

How to Get Rid of Cats, Dogs, Squirrels, Raccoons & Skunks How to Apply for Financial Help for Rescued Dogs & CatsThe lifetime of your carpet can be strongly impacted by the lifetime of your cat. When it comes to floor decor, your kitty -- and her habits -- take center stage. Choosing a carpet that is cat-compatible can make your feline's debut in the living room limelight less traumatic for both of you. Ikea Panel Curtain PicturesFurs and Spills First and foremost, you want a carpet that resists the twin banes of cat people everywhere: discarded fur and accidents (even the accidentally-on-purpose kind). Mirror Hanging Brackets ManufacturersSynthetic fibers are most stain-resistant. Truck Seat Covers Nashville TnNylon and polypropylene (Olefin) are highly recommended because they not only resist stains, but are very stable chemical compounds with low out-gassing, which means you're not compromising your or your kitty's health for the sake of a clean and tidy floor.

The tighter the pile or loop, the more resistant to poop. Many carpet retailers and manufacturers offer stain-resistant chemical treatment. These are considered safe for indoor air quality, but some chemical-sensitive consumers report that this is questionable. If you (or your furbaby) have a history of environmental sensitivity, you may want to go light on the additional treatments. The pile of your carpet determines how much fur, dander, kitty staining and, horror of horrors, fleas can get inside to create a long-term problem. Berber carpet is a tightly-looped classic widely considered virtually pet-proof when it comes to shedding issues and stains. However, if your kitty is a clawmeister, the loops may encourage serious scratching (some flooring experts report entire sections of carpet uprooted by overly ambitious felines). To prevent your cat from embarking on unsanctioned redecorating, many experts suggest a cut pile style, such as plush or frieze. These can trap more shed fur, but are less attractive to claws.

Most flooring experts strongly suggest an underbarrier or carpet backing for cat owners, but some decorators warn that they can reduce the overall life of your carpet. Their primary purpose is to keep liquids from reaching the floor underneath the carpet, where they can fester and create a problem that will persist long after your carpet has gone to the great showroom in the sky. Cork is all-natural but pricey. Foam is very easy to find, comfortable to walk on and cheap to install, but can outgas and cause an indoor air quality issue. Compressed gel and waterproof backings come highly recommended by many flooring experts. They have most of the benefits of cork or foam, but are considered more durable. Pawternatives If you are very concerned about your feline's felicity for your new flooring, you may want to consider some alternatives to traditional wall-to-wall carpet. Persian rugs can be found in any price range, color scheme and size, are tightly looped or piled, and easy to pick up and clean.

Throw rugs can be strategically placed and then thrown straight in the wash. Carpet tiles are an answer for some cats with a vendetta against your decor. These can be found at very reasonable prices, and when your problem child goes on a rampage, you can lift and replace that section alone. Sisal floor treatments have many of the benefits of carpet, are all natural, durable and available in wall-to-wall and portable styles. Some, however, are particularly attractive to clawing cats, and the chemical-free fibers may stain. References The Carpet Buyer's Handbook: Berber CarpetHow to Buy Carpet Wisely: What Consumers Need to Know - Carpet FibersFind Any Floor: Pet Friendly Floors - CarpetingHow to Buy Carpet and Save Money: Buying the Best Type of Carpet for Dogs and CatsSisal Carpeting Photo Credits Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Getty Images MORE MUST-CLICKS: How to Remove Static From Dog or Cat Fur Cat Cleanliness vs. Dogs How to Get Rid of Cat Urine in a Sofa Do Kittens Like It When You Pet Their Stomachs Do Long-Haired Cats Shed Less?