Why Is ‘The Meatball Test’ Trending In Pet-Friendly Homes?

04.03.2024 - 16:37 / bhg.com / Sophia Beams

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If you’re a pet parent, you’re likely already familiar with the struggle of designing a home that looks stylish and simultaneously survives pet damage. From furniture clawing to bringing in dirt and other messes, you might feel like it's impossible to have nice things. But there's an unexpected way you can make it work: the meatball test.

The meatball test is… sort of exactly what it sounds like. Designer Cate Dunning first created the meatball test to help pet owners choose rugs and carpets that they can put in their space without worrying about furry friend-related wear and tear. 

The test is simple: would you be able to tell if meatball dropped onto your rug? If you wouldn’t be able to see it at all, the rug you choose would also be able to hide stains and messes from pets (not to mention dirt and pet hair).

Think about the material, too. Fluffier rugs help disguise usually-visible pet hair, and fuzzy or fur rugs naturally match the texture.

Pet parents who are frequently subjected to dirt and messes (shoutout to those with new puppies) also benefit from the meatball test—dirt won’t be as visible as it typically falls in-between individual rug tufts, which also prevents it from being tracked around. 

The meatball test can also be useful when you think about how to create somewhat of an optical illusion and distract from any mess—go for a dark-colored or statement rug, especially if it's a shorter-tufted rug. More maximalist patterns makes stains less noticeable, while dark colors hide stains that inevitably accumulate over time.

The meatball test also helps you find rugs and carpets that can withstand scratching and playing. Small tears and scratches won’t be as noticeable on rugs with long