The best buddy of man. While dogs can be adorable and entertaining, let’s face it, as a dog owner, you don’t want them damaging or scratching the stylish floor you’ve spent so much time and work preserving. Additionally, mishaps will occur; you do not want foul odors to take over your home.
Thus, which flooring options achieve the proper balance? Which type of flooring is best for dogs? Flooring that is both dog- and human-friendly. Before we discuss the flooring options available to you and your furry companions, let us address what is not on the list.
Pet Owners’ Flooring No- No’s
Carpets
Naturally, these cuddly companions adore carpeting. It’s a cozy, fluffy refuge for them, but if you’re a pet owner, you know it’s a no-no due to the amount of pet hair trapped inside. Carpets retain an incredible amount of filth, ticks, fleas, and other microscopic pests that your furry buddy may bring in. Apart from that, carpets are prone to staining.
Authentic Hardwood
As a homeowner, you’re aware that solid hardwood is similar to a high-end garment that should be dry cleaned only and pressed freshly. The basic conclusion is that hardwood flooring requires a great deal of maintenance. They will be irreversibly damaged by scratches and puppy pee.
Additionally, dogs have a difficult difficulty gaining traction on wooden floors. If you’re still set on them, however, consider engineered hardwood flooring. They have the same appearance as the genuine thing but require less upkeep, which is especially important if you have these furry buddies around the house the majority of the time.
Flooring Laminate
Laminate flooring that is not waterproof can be a nightmare for dog owners. They are also unsuitable for pets because of their slipperiness, particularly for dogs prone to hip injuries. However, the market currently offers a greater variety of pet-friendly laminate flooring products.
Now, let’s take a closer look at pet-friendly flooring options:
The Best Dog-Friendly Flooring
Choosing the best pet flooring requires two major considerations:
1. Resistant to Scratches
As dogs walk, their claws make contact with the floor, and because they naturally claw and scratch far harder than we do, scratch-resistant floors make the ideal pet flooring. Due to the fact that scratch-proof flooring does not exist, you should normally pick hard floors or floors with a thick and powerful protective layer that can also be renewed.
When looking for the best flooring for dogs, try purchasing floors with scratches that blend in rather than stick out.
2. Resistant to Water
Pet accidents will occur regardless of how well-trained your fluffy one is, and that’s not all. Additionally, you will encounter numerous water bowl or food accidents, and let’s not forget that some dogs drool profusely.
As a pet owner, you’d want to avoid floors that might be irreparably ruined by even the smallest spills if they’re not cleaned immediately. Consider easy-to-clean flooring that is waterproof or has a high level of water resistance.
Keeping these factors in mind, the following is a list of the finest dog flooring options:
1. Vinyl Plank Flooring
When it comes to the best flooring for pets, particularly dogs, luxury vinyl flooring is a clear winner. Vinyl flooring is not only soft and comfortable underfoot; it is also scratch- and stain-resistant. Despite its price tag, luxury vinyl flooring is an affordable alternative for pet owners.
A significant advantage is that it perfectly replicates a variety of diverse aesthetics, including hardwood, genuine stone, and tiles. Luxury vinyl is available in two varieties: Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) and Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP).
When correctly laid, high-quality vinyl floors will withstand pet mishaps. The majority of luxury vinyl are water-resistant, and some are even waterproof. This makes it simple to clean and maintain.
2. Flooring made of bamboo
Although most people refer to bamboo as hardwood, it is actually a grass. It is more durable than most hardwoods and provides a more scratch- and water-resistant surface for dogs. Bamboo flooring has grown in popularity over the last several decades and is often regarded as a good pet-friendly flooring option for dog-loving families.
Bamboo flooring is one-of-a-kind, robust, elegant, and enduring. It’s a popular choice for those seeking a natural wood-like appearance.
3. Flooring in cork
Cork flooring is inherently antibacterial, which makes it an excellent choice for dog flooring. This antimicrobial property simply means that you, as a dog owner, will not have to worry about mold or allergens in your home.
Cork flooring is predominantly composed of wood goods, which means that it, like the majority of wood floors, provides warmth and traction for your pups. Bear in mind that, while it will give greater scratch resistance than regular wood, it is still susceptible to being scratched or damaged. It is recommended that you keep your pet’s nails clipped.
Additionally, cork flooring is water-resistant but not completely waterproof, so if your furry babies are still potty training, clean any spills immediately to preserve the floor.
4. Ceramic Tile Flooring
Water-resistant, stain-resistant, and ageless, tile flooring. A particular favorite of the majority of homeowners and widely regarded as one of the best dog flooring options. They give sufficient traction for your dogs when paired with grout lines.
Puppies of all ages benefit from tile or stone floors. This flooring is quite forgiving, whether you have a new puppy still learning to potty train or an older dog having difficulty controlling its bowel movements, due to its waterproof nature. Additionally, you can vacuum the pet hair, which makes it very easy to clean and maintain, aside from the fact that it will never go out of style.
Additionally, you won’t need to catch your breath every time you recall forgetting to clip your dog’s nails, as this flooring option is scratch-resistant. With all of these benefits, tile flooring remains one of the most economical pet-friendly flooring options.
5. Engineered Hardwood Flooring Laminate Flooring
Here’s some good news for hardwood enthusiasts. If you must have hardwood flooring, choose laminate engineered hardwood flooring.
There are numerous excellent wood-like choices on the market. Simply ensure that it has a robust, thick, and scratch-resistant top finish.
Another practical consideration for dog owners is to choose a textured, rustic, scraped, or distressed appearance, in case your dog scratches it. Scratches will blend in rather than stand out. Apart from providing scratch protection, the texture/ scrape helps the pups maintain a grip on laminated hardwood floors, which may be quite slippery.
