Deluxe Golden Sienna Herringbone Click Vinyl from Luxury Flooring and Furnishings
Pet-friendly flooring has never really been something I have had to think about. But my parents recently got a gorgeous little puppy and are making great use of the carpet cleaner every time he decides to wee (or worse) as he’s not yet toilet trained. It can be difficult to choose the right flooring for your home at the best of times. But once you throw a furry friend into the equation, the challenge gets slightly more complicated. Pets can be tough on floors, wearing them down and ruining them with their teeth and claws, everyday activities and accidents.
Fortunately, there are plenty of suitable pet-friendly options out there that can withstand the challenges posed by pets, whilst enhancing the aesthetic of your home.
Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring (LVT)
Signature Harmony Herringbone 3D Click Vinyl from Luxury Flooring and Furnishings
Luxury vinyl tile flooring has emerged as a popular choice for pet owners, who are seeking a combination of style and durability. It’s resistant to scratches, stains and moisture, protecting it from damage caused by claws and any accidents your pets could have.
LVT flooring is easy to clean and maintain too, which means you won’t be spending ages trying to clean up after your pet. A simple sweep/vacuum and a mop will do the job.
It’s also a budget-friendly option; capable of mimicking natural materials such as wood or stone without the price or maintenance.
Pet-Friendly Tile Flooring
Lylia Terracotta Decor Hexagon Matt Wall and Floor Tile from Tile Mountain
Whether ceramic or porcelain, tile flooring is renowned for its durability and ease of maintenance. Like LVT, tiles are a resilient and stylish option. They’re resistant to scratches and stains – plus they’re easy to clean. A bonus of tile flooring is that they don’t retain heat, making the floor cool for your pets to lay on during the summer. Of course, the downside is that the floor is then cold during winter.
Another problem with tile flooring is the lack of slip resistance, which can affect both you and your pet.
Bamboo Flooring
Giving your home a stylish and unique look, bamboo is a great, environmentally-friendly flooring choice.
As an exceptionally durable material, made stronger by the manufacturing process, bamboo flooring is resistant to scratches, scuffs and stains created by your pet. It’s easy to clean and maintain too with a vacuum or a mop.
However, it is susceptible to water damage, which means it’s incredibly important that you promptly clean up any accidents or spills.
Pet-Friendly Laminate Flooring
Luxe 12mm Roman Oak Laminate from Luxury Flooring and Furnishings
As another cost-effective alternative to wood flooring, laminate is fairly similar to LVT. Capable of mimicking natural wood, whilst offering a wide variety of designs, laminate flooring is resistant to scratches and stains. You can get water-resistant alternatives as laminate itself isn’t waterproof.
Cork Flooring
Camada Cork Flooring from The Colour Flooring Company
Naturally resistant to mould, mildew and pests, cork flooring ticks most of the boxes for pet-friendly floors. This means it can withstand a fair amount of moisture – though it’s still important to clean messes up quickly!
It’s soft, warm and comfortable underfoot, giving it great traction that allows pets to rely less on their claws, minimising scratches. This is helpful as cork flooring is more vulnerable to dents or punctures due to its soft nature.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Painswick Biscuit Engineered Oak from Luxury Flooring and Furnishings
If you’re adamant about wooden floors, then it’s best to go with engineered wood flooring instead of solid wood. With the right amount of care and maintenance, wood flooring can last decades. However, this does come into question when pets are involved.
It’s prone to scratches, which isn’t necessarily a problem if you’re willing to put the care and effort into maintaining it. Wood can be sanded and refinished, which will help get rid of scratches and imperfections. However, it’s susceptible to water damage, meaning any accidents and spills still need to be cleaned up immediately.
Tips for Maintaining Pet-Friendly Flooring
Any well-looked-after and cared-for floor will last longer than a neglected floor.
Regular cleaning is incredibly important for the upkeep of your floors. With a frequent vacuum or sweep, you can remove pet hair and debris from your floor. This will help with dust build-up and allergens. It’s also important to clean up any spills and accidents promptly to prevent stains and damage.
Using protective mats and rugs throughout your home will help lessen wear and tear. Consider using moisture-resistant mats near water bowls to prevent damage from spills.
Keeping your pet’s nails trimmed is another helpful way to minimise scratches on the floor surface.
Opting for flooring with a matte or low-gloss finish can help hide general wear and tear and scratches more effectively.
Which Pet-Friendly Flooring?
When selecting the right flooring for your pet-friendly home, there’s a balance between style and functionality that needs to be found. Whether you choose scratch-resistant luxury vinyl flooring, easy-to-clean tile, durable bamboo, budget-friendly laminate, comfortable cork or elegant engineered wood flooring, there are many options available to suit your preferences.
You probably want to avoid carpet as it can be easily damaged. whilst you can get waterproof and stain-resistant carpets, pets can still dig into it and rip it with their claws, sometimes chewing on it. Carpet can also trap pet hair, dander and pests like fleas. It tends to retain moisture; clinging to odours and stains too.
Solid wood flooring is another to avoid as it doesn’t fare well against moisture, which can cause the floor to warp and stain. It’s also not very scratch-resistant, though you can use specific finishes to help with the durability.
By combining your choice with proper care and maintenance, you and your pets can enjoy a cosy home that accommodates both of you as well as your aesthetics.