Your Pet-Friendly Flooring Guide

050520 American Flooring American Flooring Hgtv Buy Carpet 10
050520 American Flooring American Flooring Hgtv Buy Carpet 10

If you have pets in the home, flooring choices are more important than ever. Pets have a big impact on your home and it’s smart to think about their effect before making a choice. Many are unsure of what the best flooring options are for pets in the home, so here are some pros and cons of several types of flooring to help your decision making process.

Carpet

When it comes to pets, carpet is one of the worst flooring choice you can make, simply because it is easily damaged. Carpet wears extremely fast from pet accidents, hair, and traffic. Although carpet is most cost effective option, it may end up being more of a price hassle in the long run, because of the many replacements and cleanings.

Hardwood Flooring

Although hardwood flooring is one of the most desired types of flooring, it is not the best option for homes with pets. One of the biggest problems with pets on hardwood is pet urine. The urine can stain the hardwood, leaving a foul odor and a dark spot in the wood. The urine quickly seeps into the wood making it hard to avoid this even when the accident is cleaned up right away.

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is one of the best pet-friendly flooring options. It’s harder than the hardest hardwoods, which will help it withstand more traffic and won’t wear out. It is also stain resistant, so no need to worry about accidents or spills.

Tile

Tile is a good choice in terms of durability for pets. The surface won’t scratch or wear out easily. Tile is also stain resistant; if your pet has an accident urine won’t damage the condition of the tile. A downside is tile is hard, cold, and uncomfortable for pets to lie on, but rugs can be placed to help.

Laminate

Laminate flooring can be challenging for pets, specifically dogs, because how slippery the flooring can be. This can cause damage on a dog’s hips, making them slide and move in unnatural ways. There is a smarter option of choosing a laminate flooring with an embossed or textured finish. You can also help avoid sliding with area rugs.

Vinyl

The new luxury vinyl flooring is a great choice for a pet household. The flooring is scratch and stain resistant, low in allergens, and easy to clean and maintain.