The Best Pet-Friendly Flooring for Your Home

When it comes to our pets, more times than not, they’re the most spoiled family member, and with that, the choices that we make often take into consideration their needs, along with our own. We want a home that is warm and loving for our pets, and also one that is safe for them. That means choosing flooring that will provide comfort and safety for them, while also meeting the needs of the humans in our family.

What are the Best Hardwood Floors for Pets?

There is no doubt that homeowners love hardwood floors and more times than not, want solid wood in their home, but when you own pets, specifically dogs, there are several things to consider. The best pet-friendly hardwood option is a harder species like oak or hickory with a distressed appearance and a tough Urethane finish that will help hide everyday pet wear and tear. Ultimately, at the end of the day, because hardwood is slick, cold, and prone to scuffs, it’s not going to be the best dog friendly flooring option.

What is the Best Laminate Flooring for Dogs?

You might not be able to have hardwood in your home if you own dogs, but thanks to innovative manufacturing, laminate flooring can give you the look of hardwood while also giving your pets more support and comfort than hardwood is able to.

Laminate is constructed of 4 layers which absorb the heavy traffic and day-to-day use of an active family. It is the wear layer that protects the floor from pet stains, fading, and surface burns, making laminate wood flooring and dogs a great mix.  The surface is easy to clean and is water resistant, so no longer are pet accidents a big deal, but just be mindful that the slippery surface might cause your dog to have trouble with grip. However, adding rugs to a room with laminate can make it look complete, cozy, and comfortable for your pets.

Is Luxury Vinyl Flooring Good for Pets?

Just like humans, pets aren’t perfect, and sometimes life gets a little messy. For those with pets who are accident prone or messy, vinyl flooring is going to be a great choice for you. Not only is vinyl durable and waterproof, but it’s also incredibly easy to clean up an accident. Vinyl has a protective top coat that provides ease of maintenance, which means that your floors will be resistant to scratches and scuffs and have a wipe clean finish. The rugged versatility and waterproof characteristics make vinyl flooring and dogs a walk in the park.

What is the Best Carpet for Pets?

There is a general consensus that carpet and pets don’t mix. Their fur and the dirt that comes off of their fur can get trapped in the carpet, or their accidents are difficult to get out of carpet. Those are several things that we hear a lot, but there is in fact carpet for pets that can resist stains and accidents.

For a household with pets, it’s best to choose a carpet with nylon fibers, as nylon is the most durable and stain resistant carpet fiber, when treated with stain protection. The best carpet for pets and high traffic areas is going to be carpet that has been treated with static, stain, and soil resistant treatments, making them easy to clean and maintain.

What is the Best Tile for Pets?

Tile may just in fact be the best flooring choice for a household with pets due to its long wearing durability, moisture resistance, and ease of maintenance. Tile is both scratch resistant and easy to clean, making this a practical option; however just remember that it can be hard, cold and slippery for both pets and humans.

When considering the best flooring for pets and your family, you want to take into consideration how easy it will be to clean up messes, but also keep in mind how comfortable the flooring will be for both you and your pets. No matter what type of flooring you choose, there will always be a product that is most suitable for pets, so if you’re set on hardwood, make sure that you talk with a professional about selecting the best product for you and your family.

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