The 5 Best Types of Floors For Dogs
Dog owners know how much work it takes to make a pet-friendly home. Welcoming a dog into every family is like welcoming a new family member.
Furry friends have needs as well, and they prefer some stuff over some other things. For example, dogs love having a small piece of the backyard, and they won't mind its size as long as they can play catch and sunbath.
Still, owning a dog is a serious commitment. After all, dogs live for more than ten years, and in that long period, things happen - good and evil, including home accidents.
That's why dog owners need to have the right solution when it comes to dog's accidents on hardwood flooring.
If you prefer to see hardwood flooring at its glory, and not smother it with carpets, here are your best options for high-quality flooring when you have dogs.
Best Floors for Dogs
The US is full of love toward lovely canines. Did you know that 6 of 10 of all U.S. households have a pet? Having furry friends in so many homes means two things: a lot of love and occasional floor-related accidents.
If you want to choose the best flooring options for both you and your dog, here is an overview of some of the most popular flooring types.
Not only that, these flooring options will hold up with dogs, but they will serve perfectly for cats and other furry friends.
Before we jump into the best flooring options for your pet-friendly home, let's see the two main characteristics that your new floor must provide.
When looking for pet-friendly flooring, the two most important considerations are:
Waterproof (or at least water-resistant)
Your dog may be the best-behaved dog ever, but accidents can still occur. Dogs are sensitive, and some of them are scared of rain, strange sounds, or simply have a weaker bladder. Therefore, accidents happen.
Also, they might spill water and food from their bowls, step into the house with mud on their feet, and create a mess.
Even a small amount of water can permanently damage particular floors if it's not cleaned up immediately. Damaging your floors is why you should always think about continually cleaning the dog's paws after a rainy walk.
With this in mind, always choose waterproof, or at least floors with a high level of water-resistance. This is a must for any pet-home.
Scratch-Resistant- Scratch Repairable
Dogs have durable and long nails that can make contact with the ground when they walk.
As you may already know, this can cause substantial scratches on sensitive floors. Add to that scratching natural clawing instincts, and they can make short work of soft flooring.
Flooring for dogs should be scratch-resistant since there is simply not such a thing as scratch-proof, but a better solution is scratch repairable. Floors that are easy for a homeowner to repair themselves are better since easy repair allows the flooring to last longer.
Explained in a nutshell, this means hard floors. It's always good to look for Wood Flooring with a durable protective layer on top so that they can be easily refinished or better yet easily repaired.
Pro tip: It is always good to choose designs where scratches can easily blend in rather than stand out.
With these criteria in mind, here are the top five flooring types that will perfectly serve you and your dog.
What's the Best Flooring for Dogs?
One of the most significant issues with pets and floors, next to sudden wet accidents, is scratching. Even pets that aren't that active can leave a mark by walking, gently jumping, or jumping around.
Pets also shed less or more. Luckily, we have good news and the best flooring solution for your furry friends. Here are the best flooring options and considerations to keep in mind.
Panaget Hardwood Flooring
If you want the best for yourself and your furry buddy, you can't go wrong with hardwood flooring. When it comes to matching hardwood flooring and pets, you should think about Panaget.
This French wood flooring manufacturer brings the best from the European style and quality.
Responsibly forested, this hardwood flooring is 100% manufactured in France, and 100% of Oak is genuine French oak, that comes with an A+ rating.
An A+ rating means that the floor contains ultra-low chemical content, making it safe for any family member.
To keep your Panaget long-lasting next to your pet, always choose those that are wire-brushed and/or hand-scraped. This way, you will hide any scratch and keep your floor safe.
- Wire-brushed flooring: Wire-brushing is a subtle texturing technique that enhances the soft grain, creating a seasoned appearance. This type of flooring can be improved with a specific liming technology. Simply said, this technique involves scraping the wood planks with a hard-bristled wire brush. The result of this process is a wood floor with more texture, appearing more rustic.
- Hand-scraped flooring: Hand-scraped wood flooring is a popular wood flooring option among those who want something original and a little different. This type of flooring makes the floor look old, worn, and distressed. This look can only be achieved by using a technique called hand scraping.
Plus, Panaget hardwood flooring can be thick up to 9/16" ( 15mm), making it durable at its start. Your dog will love hardwood flooring; it will keep your canine cool in summer and warm during the breezy days.
Make sure that you train your dog well before your set hardwood floors.
Train your dog to be OK with nail clipping to avoid a mess, and be ready to clean as soon as an accident occurs. If possible, have a food or water bowl stand or mat under the bowls to protect the floor.
Vynil
Families with pets are well familiar with this type of flooring. Vinyl sheets and tiles are durable, long-lasting, and resistant to moisture. They are also easy to maintain. You can clean the vinyl floor in a few minutes.
Vinyl tile is easy to install and affordable. Bear in mind that people usually choose vinyl as a fast solution appealing to the eye.
When it comes to repairing, it's not possible with vinyl. It cannot be repaired, and it can be challenging to recycle. Still, a vinyl surface will keep your dog fresh during the hot summer days.
Also, vinyl may dull quickly. Always make sure to choose flooring with a thick top layer and an aluminum oxide coating to ensure durability and longevity.
Tile and Stone Flooring
Tile and Stone Flooring is one of the most popular flooring options in warmer areas. They are water-resistant, stain-resistant, easy to clean, and all-natural material.
This flooring works for pets of all ages. The biggest downside of these floors is that they are hard and cold, making it chilly both for you and your pet.
If you decide to get this type of flooring, you should provide soft area rugs or a dog bed somewhere in the house for your dog to lie down.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Everyone knows that ceramic and porcelain floor tiles are super easy and fast to clean. You will need more water to clean this type of floor, unlike water-averse laminate.
Due to the cement board underlayment, tiles are solid from top to bottom—no empty spots and no click-clacking claws.
Dogs will be aware of the tile floor's sickness. If you have an older dog, you may expect a difficult time gaining traction when changing from a lying to a standing position.
Pro tip: When shopping for ceramic and porcelain tiles, check the coefficient of friction specs, and buy the one with a better grip than others.
Bamboo
Bamboo flooring is a little-known secret of the flooring world. Bamboo is sturdy, durable, and stylish. Did you know that bamboo is actually a grass, which is why bamboo is derived from an organic substance?
Bamboo is still wood, and as such, it's sensitive to moisture, just like a cork. Luckily, bamboo is easy to clean and maintain. However, it may be susceptible to scratches.
If You Absolutely Must Have Carpet
If you are a die-hard carpet fan and you want to add a cozy look to your rooms with carpets, you should plan it right.
Consider installing carpet designed to resist odors and pet stains.
Always choose a nonwhite neutral that will rather hide the dirt than shows it, and be ready to vacuum every day and wash carpets frequently.
Sincerely talking, if you live with pets, any carpet-free options is a better idea - it will save you time and energy.
Maintaining And Cleaning Your Pet-Friendly Floors
Whatever type of flooring you choose, you are keeping it clean is essential. So, last but not least is how you maintain your floors.
Dogs will play inside, have indoor adventures, leave pet hair and dander, and they may harm your floors. However, if you know how to keep your floors fresh and clean, you won't have any problems.
That being said, here are some tips on how to keep your floors clean:
- Have a cleaning routine
- Mop hard surfaces regularly
- Clean up accidents if possible immediately
- Feel free to use homemade remedies to neutralize any moist spot
- Place a mat under food and water bowls
- Trim your dog's nails regularly
- If your floors need refinishing every six months to a year mark your calendar and stay up to date
Remember: the best way to keep your floors clean and durable is to have a regular maintenance routine.