If you are the proud owner of one or more dogs, cats, or other pets and want to lay a new floor, choose a material that is scratch-resistant, durable, and – most importantly – easy to maintain. Here are the top 3 pet-friendly flooring options.
If you share your home with one or more dogs or cats, you probably hoover daily to deal with all the hair, sand, and dust that your four-legged friend brings into the house. Next, a damp mop to make your floor sparkle again. This is exactly why vinyl flooring, laminate flooring or tiles are so beloved by pet owners.
Vinyl floors, high pressure floors, and laminate floors are designed with micro joints. A great advantage for cleaning! By contrast, the uneven and wide joints of natural stone or ceramic tiles can become quite dirty. And parquet flooring isn’t too happy about being mopped daily.
Pups that are not yet potty-trained, older dogs or cats that have little accidents, the daily mess around the food station... Vinyl planks and tiles can handle it all: the stains won’t penetrate the material. That being said, it is of course best to clean up spills as quickly as possible to prevent any long-term damage.
Laminate and high pressure floors can take the wear and tear of messes as well, thanks to their protective top layer, though you do want to clean up spills as soon as possible. Tiles are easy to clean too. Cast floors or mortex floors can be more challenging. Vomit and urine especially can cause permanent staining.
Parquet with an oil or lacquer finish can handle some mess, but only if you clean it as soon as possible.
Do your dogs enjoy chasing each other or does your pet rush to the door as soon as someone rings the bell? Since they cannot retract their claws, these sprints risk making tiny holes in your cast or wooden floor. Or they could damage the paint or varnish. Not a problem with vinyl flooring, laminate, or tiles: they are highly scratch- and wear-resistant. If your pet is very active, we recommend high pressure floors as they are the strongest floors in the world and extremely resistant to scratches.
Slippery tile or cast floors make it challenging for pets to run around freely without slipping and sliding. Something that won’t be an issue with less slippery vinyl or laminate floors.
The constant ticking of dogs' claws on the floor could cause some annoyance. Especially for the neighbours living below your apartment. Vinyl floors and parquet absorb most of the sound made by dogs' claws.
Tiles are the worst option. However, are you rather a fan of the look of tiles in your home? Then go for a vinyl tile. There are vinyl planks and tiles that are up to 50% quieter than other floors. These floors have a unique top layer that is not only comfortable to walk on, but also absorbs the sound in the room.
A cleverly chosen subfloor also makes a big difference to the acoustics in the room. The right underlay dampens the sound in the room and that can come in handy with four-legged friends in the house.
A floor equipped with underfloor heating risks overheating some pets. If you plan on installing underfloor heating, you could always opt for a small area without any heating, so your pet will have its own cool spot.
