Pets enrich your life with their companionship, but they can take a toll on your home. Pets can chew, scratch, drool, shed and forget their house training, which can wreak havoc on delicate flooring. However, choosing durable, stain-resistant and easy-to-clean flooring can make all the difference. If you’re looking for the best flooring for pets, you’ll find you have plenty of different options.
What should you consider when it comes to choosing a pet-proof floor? Here are some of the factors to keep in mind:
Because pets can be destructive, pet-proof flooring must have several qualities. It has to be:
It also has to accommodate any of your pet’s special needs, such as mobility issues. Many different flooring options are ideal for accommodating pets, depending on your goals and your lifestyle. Here are some of the best types of flooring for dogs and other pets.
Vinyl is a popular type of synthetic flooring. It can mimic other kinds of flooring, like wood or tile, with convincing accuracy. You can choose between a few different types of vinyl floors, including:
Vinyl flooring is one of the best flooring options for dogs and cats. It has many advantages, including:
You’ll want to keep a few considerations in mind before deciding to go with vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring:
Vinyl is an affordable and stylish flooring choice that can resist most pet-related damage. Dogs and vinyl plank flooring go well together. It’s one of the easiest types of flooring to maintain and makes an excellent choice for homes shared by humans and pets. It’s budget-conscious, stylish and durable.
You might prefer to use laminate, another type of synthetic flooring. It clicks and locks together, making installation easy. It’s also designed to float, meaning you don’t need to attach it to your subfloor. This can be a significant advantage for homes with humidity or settling concerns. Like vinyl, laminate mimics hardwood for a stylish appearance. It’s quick to put together and easy to maintain, which makes it perfect for homes with pets.
Thanks to its wear layer made of aluminum oxide and melamine, laminate is an excellent waterproof flooring for pets. It also offers all of the following benefits:
Before you choose laminate flooring over other options, keep these things in mind. Laminate is:
Laminate flooring might be the right choice for you. It’s one of the best flooring choices for pets, thanks to its quick installation, easy maintenance and resistance to pet-related damage. However, if you have noisy or aging pets, you might opt for vinyl instead, given vinyl’s skid and noise resistance. Either choice is ideal for those who need affordable and easy-to-maintain pet flooring.
Hardwood flooring is a popular choice for plenty of reasons. It presents a beautiful, classic and timeless look. You can choose unfinished hardwood flooring, giving you the chance to apply your preferred stain. You can also choose specially-designed waterproof hardwood, which is a great option for homes with pets.
Solid hardwood offers plenty of compelling benefits, including the following:
While hardwood is popular among homeowners, it does have its drawbacks. Here are some things to consider before you buy hardwood floors:
Whether or not you choose hardwood floors will depend on your personal goals and priorities. If you’re looking to make a long-term investment toward home resale, solid hardwood is the best option. While other flooring materials can mimic the look of wood, some homeowners feel there’s nothing like the real thing. On the other hand, you’ll have to work a little harder to keep your hardwood floors pristine if you own pets. You might choose solid hardwood if you have a small dog or cat, but consider other options if you own a large breed of dog.
Engineered hardwood is the best wood flooring for dogs and other pets. It’s made from multiple layers of hardwood and plywood, giving it stronger resistance against warping or bowing over time. It has the same beautiful look as regular hardwood with added durability and easier maintenance, making it perfect for pets.
You’ll find that engineered hardwood has plenty of advantages, including:
Here are a few things to consider before you commit to engineered hardwood floors:
If you’re looking to improve your home resale value or prefer the look and feel of wood flooring, engineered hardwood is the best hardwood floor for dogs and cats. However, other flooring choices can offer better resistance against moisture and scratches. If you want maximum durability and easy maintenance, you might choose vinyl or laminate instead.
Many homeowners with pets or kids prefer carpet, which is well-suited to many different lifestyles. You can find carpet options in a wide range of colors, textures and designs. A pet-proof carpet can make your home feel cozy and welcoming while helping you handle any pet-related concerns.
You might choose a pet-proof carpet for any of the following reasons:
Carpet can have a few drawbacks, such as:
Pet-proof carpet is a viable option for plenty of reasons. It’s built to stand up against pet-related stains and odors. In addition, it eliminates concerns like scratching or warping. It’s comfortable to walk on and perfect for aging pets or pets with medical concerns. At the same time, however, you’ll have to keep up with regular maintenance, and it may not contribute as much to home resale as other flooring choices. Consider the pros and cons of pet-friendly carpet before making a decision.
When choosing a new floor, pet owners have to consider water and stain resistance. Even the most well-trained and well-behaved pets can have accidents. Pets can also bring water into your home by drooling, tracking mud from outside, walking around after a bath or knocking over their water bowls. In any case, pets make water-resistant flooring an absolute necessity. If your number one concern is finding a urine-proof floor, you’ll likely want to go with:
When searching for the best pet-friendly flooring, you’re bound to have some questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about pet flooring options.
Identifying the best type of flooring for dogs is a challenging task. Dogs have unique needs, especially larger breeds. You’ll need dog-friendly flooring that can withstand clawing, chewing, drooling, urine and spills. If you have a dog, you may want to choose vinyl, laminate or pet-proof carpet, depending on your priorities.
It’s important to keep up with floor maintenance — however, many floor cleaners can be toxic to curious pets. Before using a floor cleaning product, ask your veterinarian for pet-safe recommendations.
While you’re bound to be concerned about durability and maintenance, you’ll also have to prioritize your pet’s comfort and happiness. You may be wondering which flooring option your pet would pick if they had a vote. A few considerations are important for pet comfort, such as:
Finding the right flooring for your home can be a monumental task, especially if you have pets. You’ll have lots of different factors to consider, including maintenance, durability, style and unique characteristics. You can find pet-proof options in almost any type of flooring, so it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each choice.
If you’d like to learn more about pet-friendly flooring, we can answer your questions at Metro Flooring Contractors. Our flooring professionals offer fast and friendly service. We’ll be happy to visit your home with quality flooring samples. We can supply in-home estimates to help you pick the best floor for your home. We also provide next-day professional installation so you can start enjoying your new floors right away. If you’re ready to install pet-friendly floors, schedule an appointment with Metro Flooring Contractors today!
