What is the best flooring for dog owners?
This is one of those questions you spend days, if not weeks, pondering.
Should you invest in flooring that adjusts to your style, then get accessories for your four-legged mischief-maker? Should you consider it from your dog’s POV?
Our tip? Choose the latter.
Pets that leave hair and dander in their wake, scratch or wet the floor like no tomorrow, or have special needs require special flooring. Finding one that aligns with your style while being pet-friendly is hard, but that’s not to say it’s impossible.
Here’s how you can find the pick of the litter.
While 100% pet flooring is a myth, there are some flooring on the market that align with your style, support your pet’s lifestyle by withstanding wear and tear, and offer superior cleanability. Here are some factors that’ll help you spot them.
Ideally, you want to steer clear of carpeting and other flooring essentials with fiber. They attract dirt, dust, hair, and dander and can’t stand their ground against stains.
If your pet likes to scratch every surface it lays its eyes on, look for scratch-resistant material like vinyl or a hard material like bamboo. For one that isn’t potty trained or prone to incontinence, an easy-to-clean material that won’t easily stain will be a good choice. Tile, for example, is one of the best floorings for dogs that pee.
If you have an extremely active pet, look for floorings with some texture, like embossed vinyl. This way, they won’t make noise as they slip and slide on the floors and they will be safer overall. It would also help if you prioritized non-slippery surfaces; they’ll allow your pet to roam around while keeping injuries at bay.
Some flooring types can put your pet at risk of bone and joint injuries. So, if you have a senior pet, make it a point to look for warm, soft floorings that offer both comfort and traction. Bamboo or hardwood floors will be good options.
Additionally, you must also consider the cost.
Good floorings typically last 7-10 years before needing to be sanded or changed, so select one that offers high value for money while supporting your pet’s needs.
Wondering — which flooring is best for dogs?
We got you.
Here are five flooring options that stand up admirably against your pet’s assaults.
Bamboo flooring is an eco-friendly material that puts durability front and center. It can be stained in your color of choice to provide a unique look to your space.
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Bamboo is a type of grass — not wood — that has resin added during production, making it resilient to physical damage. The right type of bamboo flooring can hold its fort against scratching better than most hardwoods, is stain resistant, and has an inherent warmth to it, which could provide relief to your aged pet during winters.
The downside is that it can be expensive and is prone to moisture damage due to spills — a combination that’s not the picture of perfection for humid climates.
Engineered hardwood flooring, sporting a thin layer of natural hardwood flooring on top, offers better protection against dents and scratches than solid hardwood at a fraction of the cost. Oh, and it comes in different colors, finishes, and patterns, so you’re destined to find one that suits your style.
Regular sweeping and vacuuming will cover you in the fur-shedding season. It can handle surface moisture but only when cleaned quickly; otherwise, it could cause damage. It can sustain scratches easily, but nothing sanding or fresh finish won’t fix it.
Have an active pet? Opt for the hardest type of hardwood and get a rustic protective finish to make the surface slip-resistant and camouflage scratches.
Laminate looks like hand-scraped hardwood and vinyl, adding a nice touch to your interior without costing a bomb. It excels at scratch resistance, perfect if you have active pets, although to what level depends on its abrasion class (AC) ratings.
It resists stains and messes and is fairly easy to clean. However, “accidents” can seep down between the planks, destroying the underlayment if you’re not diligent.
Some types could lie on the slippery side of things, providing less traction and insulation for furry paws, which could harm your pet’s joints and bones. If you’ve selected one such, you may opt for heated laminate or one with some texture. Alternatively, you could pair it with non-slip rugs.
Tile is durable and mostly scratch-resistant, making it an excellent option. It has a cement board underlayment, which keeps it from getting warped with moisture and ensures that it won’t produce a click-clack sound with foot traffic. It’s also easy to clean and is virtually waterproof — provided the grout lines are maintained.
Oh, and it comes in different types to make your home look right out of an HGTV commercial. Ceramic and porcelain are the best materials for stain resistance, although it wouldn’t hurt to experiment with natural stone tile as well.
Tile can be cool and slippery under your pet’s feet. So, be sure to check the coefficient of Friction (COF) of the flooring before making a purchase. You may also want to consider installing a radiant heating system or invest in rugs or pet beds to keep your four-legged friend out of harm’s way and enhance their quality of life.
Vinyl is the best flooring for a house with dogs. It is cold during the summer and warm in the winter and is available in different types like antimicrobial vinyl as well as patterns that mimic hardwood, stone, or tile flooring, so you’re sure to be spoiled for choice.
This type of flooring is super easy to clean, but its lack of resistance to spills could result in lifting and mildew growth, so you have to reach for the mop ASAP. It provides excellent traction, so your pet’s joints won’t be affected when trotting across the surface, but bear in mind that untrimmed nails can shorten their lifespan. It is also pretty sound-absorbent, which is excellent for homes with larger, active pets.
Pet hair and muddy paw prints all over the house can take away from the appeal of your flooring. If you want to keep them looking clean and fresh at all times — even with furry friends around, clean spills as soon as possible to reduce the likelihood of stains, trim your pet’s nails regularly, and placemats in their food and water area.
While we’re on the subject, check out the Wild Earth Dog Food Review to make more informed decisions about what you feed your pet.
Get higher ROI by combining the best flooring for dog owners, such as vinyl, engineered hardwood, and laminate floors, with regular care and maintenance. It’ll keep your home looking fresh and improve your pet’s quality of life by minimizing risk to their joints and muscles, striking the perfect balance between the two.
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