Best Rug Pads for Cowhide Rugs

Cowhide rugs make beautiful additions to any room’s decor. Available in gorgeous brown, black, gray, and white patterns, they lend themselves to various decor, including antique and contemporary aesthetics. Plus, cowhide rugs are hypoallergenic and easy to maintain.

However, the hides tend to be thin and slippery, so it’s a good idea to pick up a suitable rug pad. With so many options available, choosing the right rug pad for your cowhide rug can be overwhelming. Don’t worry; we can help you decide on the best rug pad for cow hide.

Why you need a rug mat underneath your cowhide rug

There are a lot of reasons to love cowhide rugs, including style. You can use one large rug or mix and match two rugs, say a brown and black pattern with a gray and white.

Aside from adding impressive style to any room, it’s virtually impossible to stain them, they feel soft and comfy under your feet, and they have hypoallergenic properties.

Cowhide rugs stylishly protect your hardwood and tile floors from scratches and gouges. They reduce the amount of dust, hair, dander, and debris in any room, even a carpeted one. Plus– to clean them, you only have to vacuum, shake them out, or use a damp cloth and paper towel.

However, cowhide rugs have two major drawbacks. First, they slip and slide on virtually any flooring. Whether you have carpet, tile, or hardwood floor in your space, it will be a constant battle to keep your cowhide rug safely in place. The only exception is high pile carpeting, but you can still expect bunching underneath your feet.

The other issue with this type of rug is its tendency to curl up in places. Since they are thinner than many other area rugs, the sides can fold or roll up over time and pose a tripping hazard.

No matter how gorgeous and convenient a cowhide rug is, nobody wants a tripping hazard in the middle of their home. That’s why you need a rug pad! Not only does it keep your rug in place, but some pads can also prevent curling edges.

What to know before you buy

Unfortunately, not all rug pads are equal, so you can’t go to any store and walk out with a sufficient one. Some use materials or tape strips that can actually damage the floors they should protect.

Cheap rug pads often contain toxic chemicals that can be hazardous to your health and your floors! When the chemicals in the rug pads interact with the stains and treatments on your floors, it can create toxins in the air and damage your room.

It’s also important to watch out for products that use an adhesive coating to mimic a non-slip grip. Others feature a substance similar to double-sided tape that attaches to the rug and flooring. Those adhesives can get clumpy and gummy until they eventually damage the flooring. It’s not likely to hold up well to foot traffic either!

Additionally, a sub-par rug pad could be dangerous for your pets as well. A hypoallergenic, stain-resistant, easy-to-clean cowhide rug is an excellent choice for pet-proofing your home, but only with a proper rug pad.

These are the best rug pads for small cowhide rugs

Now that you know how important it is to use a rug pad underneath your lovely new cowhide rug, let’s talk about some options.

These are the best rug pads for cowhide rugs because they prevent bunching and tripping. You can get all of them in various sizes and shapes, including round or rectangle.

Anchor Grip

If you want a low-profile, durable rug pad with exceptional grip, you may want to consider the aptly named, Anchor Grip. It won’t detract from the look or feel of your space, but it will protect your floor and keep the rug in place.

The Anchor Grip features an EVA backing, so it won’t damage your floors or pose a hazard to your family. This rug pad is also waterproof and mold-resistant, making it an excellent option for humid rooms, like a bathroom.

Super-Lock Natural

For those seeking something a little thicker, the Super-Lock Natural provides a little more cushion without compromising durability or grip. The eco-friendly rubber layer resembles a honeycomb pattern and works well in those high traffic areas.

Since it’s made from natural rubbers, you don’t have to worry about plastics or chemicals damaging your floors. Plus, it’s easy to clean with a sponge and dry rag, which works well in a dining area.

Superior-Lock

When you want maximum durability, grip, and extra thickness, you may want to consider the Superior-Lock. It’s one of the best rug pads for hardwood floors because it protects the wood, prevents slipping, and even has soundproofing qualities.

This thick, odor-free rug pad features a soft, recycled felt top and grooved natural rubber underside that can keep a cowhide rug in place and even prevent the corners from curling. As a bonus, the Superior-Lock wears well, comes with a 15-year warranty, and is made in the United States.

Other things you want to know

Do you still have questions about purchasing a non-slip rug pad for your cowhide rug? We thought you might, so here are some of the most popular questions.

Will I have to cut the shape myself?

Part of the cowhide rug’s style is its unusual shape, but that can make finding a rug pad a bit challenging. It’s a great idea to purchase a rug pad that’s slightly larger than your rug. Then you can trim it down for a custom fit.

Thankfully, it’s not as difficult as it sounds to make a DIY rug pad that works with your cowhide rug. You don’t even need special tools or skills to customize the size to work with your hide.

How do you flatten a curling cowhide?

As noted above, curling edges is one drawback to choosing a cowhide rug. If it happens, don’t fret! We can teach you how to flatten a curling cowhide in a flash!

To correct curling hides, you need a few basic supplies. You probably have everything you need at your house.

Clean water in a spray bottleClean, dry cloth rags or towelsSomething heavy for stacking, like books

Once you have everything, it’s a relatively simple process.

1. Vacuum the rug to remove any dirt and debris before you start.
2. Spray a little water on both sides until your cowhide rug feels damp but not saturated.
3. Put a dry rag or towel underneath the damp area to protect your floor and another one on top of the area that’s curling.
4. Flatten the curled edge and stack the heavy items on top for at least a few hours, but preferably overnight or for a few days.
5. Remove the books and towels to reveal your re-flattened cowhide rug!

Note that this method also works on creases and wrinkles. However, some people move furniture around so that a table leg or bedroom outfit flattens the rug.

Whatever you do, do not put your cowhide rug in the washing machine or send it to a dry cleaner. The cleaning products can ruin the rug and the machines are not gentle enough for cow hide which can ruin the texture.

Final thoughts

Cowhide rugs make cozy additions to any room, but they can be slippery and create tripping hazards without a proper rug pad. Even if you plan to arrange your cowhide rug over a carpeted space, a rug pad can prevent slipping and bunching over time.

Choosing a proper rug pad for your cowhide rug will keep it straight so that it doesn’t detract from your environment. We hope that this helps answer your questions and gives you everything you need to make the best choice for your space!