My Dog Ate the Corner of My Rug — What Should I Do?

Rug Expert
6 days ago
3 min read

If you’re reading this, chances are your dog decided that the corner of your rug was a chew toy.

You’re not alone — dog damage is one of the most common rug issues we see, especially with wool and handmade rugs. The good news is that in many cases, the damage is repairable.

What you do next matters more than the damage itself.

First: Don’t Panic (and Don’t Cut Anything)

When a dog chews a rug corner, the instinct is to:

Trim loose fibers
Cut the corner clean
Tape it down
Try a DIY fix

❌ These steps often make professional repair harder or more expensive.

Leave the damaged area exactly as it is until it’s evaluated.

Why Dogs Chew Rugs (It’s Not Just Boredom)

Dogs are often attracted to rug corners because:

Wool smells like natural animal fiber
Corners and fringes are easy to grab
Rugs absorb household scents
Puppies and anxious dogs seek texture

This is common — especially with handmade wool rugs.

Is a Chewed Rug Corner Repairable?

In most cases: yes.

Whether a rug can be repaired depends on:

How much of the corner is missing
Whether the foundation threads are intact
The type of rug (handmade vs machine-made)
The fiber material (wool repairs best)

Rugs that are usually repairable:

Handmade wool rugs
Persian and tribal rugs
Moroccan rugs
Vintage and antique rugs

Rugs that may be harder to repair:

Low-quality synthetic rugs
Rugs with melted or fused backing

Even then, it’s worth evaluating before deciding to replace.

How Professional Rug Repair Fixes Dog Damage

A proper corner repair doesn’t just “patch” the area.

It involves:

Rebuilding the corner structure
Reweaving missing foundation threads
Matching wool, pile height, and density
Blending the repair so it doesn’t stand out
Reinforcing edges to prevent future damage

When done correctly, the repair becomes structurally sound and visually subtle.

Should the Rug Be Cleaned Before Repair?

Yes — in most cases.

Dog-chewed areas often contain:

Saliva
Dirt
Bacteria
Odor

Professional cleaning before repair:

Sanitizes the rug
Makes repairs last longer
Prevents future odor issues
Allows accurate color matching

Cleaning and repair usually go hand in hand.

When Replacement Might Make More Sense

Replacement may be considered if:

The rug is machine-made and low value
The damage spans a large portion of the rug
The foundation is severely compromised
Repair costs exceed the rug’s value

That said, many rugs are replaced unnecessarily when a repair would have been the better option.

How to Prevent It From Happening Again

After repair, consider:

Using proper rug padding
Applying a bitter spray to corners
Providing chew alternatives
Addressing anxiety or boredom triggers
Rotating rugs occasionally

These steps reduce repeat damage significantly.

Final Thought

If your dog ate the corner of your rug, it doesn’t mean the rug is ruined.

In many cases, professional rug repair can restore both structure and appearance, saving you the cost of replacement and preserving a rug you love.

The key is acting early and avoiding DIY fixes that cause further damage.