What flooring is best for pets?

When it comes to picking a perfect floor, there’s a massive range of variables to consider. What kind of underlay? What kind of subfloor? What will fit be the perfect decor alignment? Will it suit the room? Is it affordable?

The list goes on and on, and pretty soon customers discover that finding their dream floor can turn into a bit of nightmare. Will the kids love it, maybe their partner hates it, but they’re not important… will their furry friends be happy with their choice?

Picking the right flooring for pets is essential, it’ll save money and a slew of headaches in the long run.

Solid Wood Flooring Does not agree with pets, pure and simple. Pet urine can stain a hard wood floor almost instantly, and it’ll leave a horrible smell that’d be tough to shift once it’s seeped into the wood.

No matter how quickly it can be cleaned up, the damage will be done. Consumers might have to strip, sand and refinish the offending plank, but if there happens to be little spots all over the place, then they might need to replace the whole floor. With young tomcats likely to spray and excited dogs sometimes forgetting their potty training, a solid wood floor is a risk consumers don’t want to take. Pet claws would also need to be trimmed to avoid damage to the floor and surface.

If consumers have to go hardwood, then we suggest they opt for Bamboo flooring. Bamboo is much harder than other woods, and therefore more scratch resistant, so better suited for a home with furry friends.

Laminate Flooring Pet owners can turn to laminate flooring instead of solid, due to the hardness of laminate, as well as it’s scratch resistant nature. It’s important for consumers to consider their pet when choosing the right style of laminate floor, however. A laminate floor with a high gloss or a smooth surface can cause pets to slip and slide, which can be uncomfortable and distressing. It can also cause them to damage furniture or knock things over, which could be an extra hazard if glass is broken.

For best results, a floor with a textured finish, or a floor with a V-Groove finish is ideal. Not only do they look more like real wood, but they’ll also help pets maintain their grip. Due to the hardness of laminate, a rug may be essential for a spot to let any pet to kip and camp.

It’ll make it easier to maintain the floor as well, as pet owners can simply hoover and clean the rug as needs be. Laminate flooring hides scratches and scrapes well, and it’s partially water resistant, meaning that accidents are less of an issue. Just don’t let spills soak into a

V-Groove floor, as it can get under the floor and cause it to warp and buckle.

Bamboo Flooring As mentioned before, bamboo is excellent for homes with pets in the mix. Bamboo is harder than the hardest hardwoods. it’s the diamond of the flooring world, and makes ideal flooring for pets. It’ll easily stand up to traffic, it won’t wear out, it’s resistant to scratches and stains, and as an added bonus, it’s green, good for pets and good for the environment. Bamboo’s durability means the extra cost over a laminate or vinyl will be off set by the fact that bamboo will require much fewer repairs and refurbishing.

Stone Tile Flooring Stone tiles are another prime choice. They’re nearly impossible to scratch, and they’re completely water and stain resistant, so any accidents pets might have won’t be a problem at all. Granite is the hardest of all tile floors and will provide the most resistance, while softer floors like marble or slate will require a little more care, especially with a polished surface.

Tile Flooring Regular porcelain or ceramic tile floors are also ideal. They’re not easily scratched, and urine and other unmentionables won’t cause any lasting damage and can be easily wiped away.

Vinyl Flooring While some might have some preconceptions about the quality and appearance of vinyl, modern luxury vinyl is just as gorgeous as a high quality laminate, while being extremely hard wearing and durable. Vinyl is water proof, scratch and stain resistant, and soft and quiet under foot.

LVT flooring such as Rockwood and Egger's Design Pro LVT may just be the perfect pet friendly choice. Perfect for small children and pets alike, it’s low in allergens and economic price wise. It’s the ideal choice for flooring for pets on a budget. It’s perfect for bathrooms and kitchens too.

Carpet Carpet just might be the worst choice for pets. Even normal wear and tear on a carpet happens much faster than other flooring choices, without adding pets into the formula. If you must opt for a carpet for budget reasons, consider vinyl flooring instead.

If consumers go carpet, make sure they choose one without a loop pile, as pets might snag their claws in a loop carpet, hurting themselves and damaging the carpet in the process.

Final Tips It’s clear that the best choices for pets are either bamboo flooring, stone tile flooring, ceramic tile flooring, or vinyl flooring. However, it’s easy to narrow it down to what would work best depending on the situation.

If budget isn’t an issue, bamboo, stone, or ceramic are best, depending on the type of theme and fit. If looking for a more cost conscious approach then opt for vinyl. Avoid carpet. Carpet can become saturated with pet hair, and their claws can tear it. Plus, any stains or accidents will quickly ruin a carpet, and if left all day while, the smell and the stain will linger for a long time.

And remember, it’s worth the trouble and the stains to see their happy little faces…

We are manufacturers and distributors and do not sell directly to the public. Our products are available from all leading specialist flooring retailers.