Whether you are renovating your home or changing your flooring, your choices are restricted if you are a pet owner. Having a furry friend in the house means that you need to look for options that you and your pet will love.
Cats and dogs can potentially ruin your flooring with scratches and stains. These fears, even though genuine, can be overcome with the right flooring options.
In this blog, we will look at the top pet-friendly flooring options with each one's advantages and disadvantages. We hope this will help you make the right decision and help you choose the purr-fect flooring for your home. But before you begin your search, there are broadly three points to remember while considering pet-friendly flooring options:
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Resistance to scratches and claw marks
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Resistance to damage from stains
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Good pet grip so that they can walk with ease
Based on these three concerns, you can decide which flooring option will suit your home the best. While dog nails can cause scratch concerns, with cats, you need to worry about their paw stains post their outdoor adventures. Keeping all these points in mind, let us look at the best pet-friendly flooring options available for you.
Image source: Nerang Tiles
Tile and Stone Flooring: Marble and Travertine are Good Options
Stone and tile floorings are the perfect options for pet owners for they are water and stain resistant, as well as easy to clean. They work well with both cats and dogs of all ages and sizes. So, whether you are toilet training your pooch or feline, stone tiles such as marble are extremely forgiving. But the downside of these stones is that they are hard and cold, which might get a little uncomfortable for your pet. They don’t provide the best option for your pets to move around and can be quite slippery. However, there are certain ways you can overcome these negative points such as installing a radiant heating system or have a soft bed for your pets. Tile and stone flooring options such as marble and travertine are our top picks if you have a furry or feline friend at home. Here’s how to select tile flooring for your home.
Advantages: Scratch-resistant, water-resistant, easy to clean
Disadvantages: Cold and hard, can be slippery and uncomfortable
Image: Marble and travertine samples suitable for pet-friendly homes. See more details on our website.
Cork Flooring
Cork is another pet-friendly flooring option you could consider. It is similar to hardwood flooring, and the best part, it is microbial. It does not breed bacteria, mold or other allergens even if your pet has an accident on the floor.
Cork flooring also absorbs sound and is scratch resistant to some extent. If you want to have a sound sleep while your pooch walks around through the house, then cork flooring is your best bet. To avoid making the ugly scratch marks obvious on your floor, use a lighter shade and finish it with a tough, scratch-resistant finishing product. Cork flooring may not be a completely “pet-proof” option, but it provides a natural warmth.
Advantages: Water-resistant, anti-microbial, requires little maintenance, sound absorbing
Disadvantages: Discolors over time, not scratch resistant, not suitable in rooms with heavy furniture
Ceramic/Porcelain Tiles Are Easy To Maintain
Ceramic and porcelain tiles have almost the same benefits as stone tiles. Like stone tiles, they are scratch and stain resistant are the perfect flooring options for pet owners. Even though these tiles are popularly found in kitchen and bathroom, it can be used in other areas of the home if you are looking for budget friendly, easy to maintain flooring. Ceramic tiles are also cold and hard like stone flooring and can be uncomfortable for pets, especially dogs. However, the coldness of ceramic tiles is a huge advantage for pet owners residing in hot climates.
Advantages: water, stains, and scratch resistant, easy to maintain, low cost
Disadvantages: hard and cold, slippery
Image: Ceramic and Porcelain samples suitable for pet-friendly homes. See more details on our website.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring is another great option for pet owners. It looks similar to natural stone tile or hardwood, but is a lot friendlier with your pet and on your pocket. Luxury vinyl has different forms: luxury vinyl planks (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT). Read more about vinyl flooring.
High-quality LVP and LVT are both very durable and resistant to scratches as well as wear and tear. It holds up well against food or water spills as it is mostly water resistant. Some superior quality of luxury vinyl is also waterproof. This budget-friendly flooring option is also comfortable on your pet’s feet. With luxury vinyl flooring in your home, you won’t ever have to worry about the things your pet might drag into your home from your backyard!
Image source: Enterprise Restoration Services
Advantages: scratch and stain resistant, easy-to-clean, low levels of allergens, quiet underfoot
Disadvantages: dulls easily
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Although having hardwood flooring with pets is not advisable, if you still must have it, then opt for engineered hardwood flooring. Look for the ones that are rated high on the Janka test and get a tough, scratch-resistant finish on it.
Opt for planks that have a thick veneer to avoid scratches for as long as you can. With a thick top layer, you can sand and refinish it a few times. You can also opt for flooring with a rustic look to avoid visible scratch marks on the floor, as these marks will naturally blend in. With engineered wood, you also have to remember to clean the spills immediately to maintain its longevity.
Image source: Catster.com
Advantages: available in various colors and finishes, easy to vacuum or sweep
Disadvantages: expensive, prone to water damage and scratches, easily stain if not promptly cleaned, pet urine can cause odor and stain
Read more flooring options here: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/dog-friendly-flooring-rules
