It can be a dog’s life keeping a pet-filled home clean and tidy. From toilet mishaps and muddy walks staining the floor to unclipped claws leaving scratches and scuffs everywhere your four-legged friend goes, staying on top is hard. That’s why it is so important to make sure you’ve got a floor that’s as ready and willing to take on the challenges of pet ownership as you are. We’re here to help you decide on new flooring that’s the cat’s pyjamas!
What is the best flooring for pets?
When picking out the best flooring for your pet, consider what protection you need. Carpets offer the undisputed best comfort for our furry friends but that does not mean that any pile will do. Loop carpets are not pet-friendly as their claws are prone to getting caught in the fibres, which is bad for both them and your floor’s longevity. Saxony cut carpets offer the best in both compatibility with the four-legged members of your home and with plush comfort for everyone.
If scuffs, scrapes, and scratches are your greatest woe, then opt for laminate flooring. Laminate flooring has a tough wear layer that will make it resistant to the claws of your four-legged friends. It’s also easy to maintain so you can stay on top of cleaning, making mud and muck a problem of the past.
If protection against your pet's unfortunate accidents is a more pressing concern, then you will want a water-resistant floor. Audacity and Aqualock are a great choice in this department for laminate lovers. However, luxury vinyl flooring is a 100% waterproof and budget-friendly option, great if you're looking to pet-proof a large area of your home to be pet-proof. Vinyl flooring is easy to maintain and can be more forgiving when it comes to spills and stains. Sheet vinyl is a great budget-friendly option with its water-resistant top layer.
If your heart is set on having real wood flooring in your home, then engineered wood with a lacquered finish is a viable pet-friendly option. With the proper maintenance, your lacquered flooring can endure spills and scratches while still looking its best.
What is the best floor for pet accidents?
When it comes to pet-proof flooring that can protect against unforeseen accidents, of course, you will want something with reliable water-resistance. Luxury vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof and ready to tackle whatever your furry friends want to throw at it. When it comes to cleaning, luxury vinyl is low maintenance, perfect for your peace of mind when you might have to leave your furry friends at home.
Sheet vinyl is a great option for budget conscious makeovers, and still offers a degree of water resistance to accompany its low maintenance nature. Although it is not completely waterproof like luxury vinyl, this will not matter as much if pet accidents are not a high concern in your home and affordability is.
There are some water-resistant laminate options if you want a more authentic feel of wood flooring in your home. Audacity and Aqualock both offer water-resistance for a minimum of 24 hours, perfect if you're often on hand to clean up.
Our carpets are made from stain resistant 100% polypropylene which, with the right care, will be able to survive most marks your pet can make without losing its good looks. Although, if your main concern is having a floor that can be maintained easily and won’t suffer if you aren’t at home during the day, vinyl or water-resistant laminate may be a better option.
Which is better for dogs – laminate or vinyl?
When it comes to your home, it's hard to ignore the appeal of stylish and modern hard floors. When it comes to man’s best friend, the biggest worries with a new floor are watching them slide and scratch their way across the room. For floors that are the least slippy, look no further than luxury vinyl – its tough scratch-resistant top layer provides texture and protection for flooring and your dog to help them stay steady and keep your floor looking its best. If you want extra durability to protect from the pitter-patter of paws, then Life Rigid Core Vinyl is a great choice thanks to its impact-resistant limestone core. Your pooch won’t even ask you to compromise on style either, as there’s plenty of choice across wood, stone, and marble effect flooring, such are the upsides to luxury vinyl!
There’s plenty to love about laminate flooring, though it does not always have quite the right texture that makes it easy for a canine companion to grip on, however it will have the durability to put up with whatever scratching and clawing they subject your floor to while playing and pottering.
What is the most durable and scratch-resistant flooring?
It's hard to do better than rigid core vinyl when looking for a floor that is both durable and scratch-resistance. It's a versatile option with 100% waterproofing and you can read up on everything there is to know about here. If rigid core isn’t the floor for you search for vinyl floors with a high AC rating.
Audacity is a good laminate option - not only is it scratch-resistant, but it has the added benefit of up to 72 hours of water-resistance. Understanding what the AC rating means for durability will help you decide when shopping for laminate flooring options.
What’s the most comfortable flooring for pets?
Our pets are natural heat seekers and always go for the cosiest spot on the floor to curl up on. With a comfortable carpet underpaw, you can make that almost anywhere. The soft and deep cut piles of a saxony carpet, are great for making every step feel heavenly for cats and dogs alike. Our Home Choice Madrid Carpets take this a step further with their combi-backing which insulates your floor even more, as well as adding strength and stability.
If you plan on keeping them toasty with underfloor heating, then any of our laminate or vinyl floors will be suitable. If not, then it's important to know which underlay is best suited for your floor. Getting the right match can make it much comfier for your pets to walk and lie down on, like our Cushion Acoustic Gold Underlay with a laminate floor.
While a good underlay will help with your pet’s comfort if they decide to lie down on the floor, never underestimate the difference a rug can make in creating a favourite spot for your pet to nap on. A proper pet mattress is always beloved by furry friends - provided you have the space it will soon become their favourite place.
