I always have a white cotton blanket folded up at the foot of my bed that I can spread over my duvet when the pets are on the bed.  I like it to be white (matching the sheets) and cotton (dirty outdoor pets) so I can bleach it and wash it easily - if necessary.  Many blankets are a "basketweave" and the threads often get pulled by claws and the grains of sand go right through the little holes in the open weave onto my duvet cover.  The Duvet cover is more difficult to wash, iron and put back onto the duvet.  These cotton blankets can be folded right out of the dryer and this Golub Throw/Blanket is a solid weave to the dirt does not pass through as readily!   I only need a twin size to cover the top of my full size bed.