Pet-Friendly Flooring: The Best Options for your Pets

While dogs may be known for their title of man’s best friend, we recognize that there are many more companions out there to fill our hearts and homes. However, your pets and lifestyle may impact your flooring decision more than you know.

As you can tell if you’ve already scrolled down a bit, we decided to go more in-depth than many other articles because we recognize exotic pets can be man’s best friend too. So, gather round as we detail which flooring is best for homes with a dog, cat, lizard, fish, horse, or alpaca.

__________________________

Pet-Friendly Flooring for Homes with Dogs

Homes with dogs are also homes suited for any and every floor we offer, including laminate, hardwood, and vinyl. However, when selecting your floor, you should also take into consideration how your dog may interact with the floor.

• How often do you trim your dog’s nails? Long nails can scratch and scrape.
• Relating to the prior question, how large is your pet? A Great Dane’s long nails may damage a floor far more than a Corgi’s nails can.
• Is your dog house-trained? If not, how quickly are accidents found and cleaned up?

So, while all floors may be great for dogs, we do have a few recommendations. Textured flooring can conceal small scrapes and scuffs. In addition, textured flooring can also lead to paws slipping and sliding less as they have more traction than smooth floors. And if your dog isn’t potty-trained, loves to drool, or often swims then comes straight inside, a waterproof floor may be your best option. However, you should still clean spills and accidents as soon as you see them.

Hardwood is another great option as it is durable, eco-friendly, and long-lasting. If scratches and scrapes do occur, you can always oil it (if it has an oil finish) or refinish it to remove deeper blemishes.

__________________________

Pet-Friendly Flooring for Homes with Cats

There is nothing cuter than cats kneading! However, your floors may disagree. Just as with dogs, cat’s nails can scratch and scrape. Hairballs can make their way to where you were just about to step. Sometimes the litter box is missed or litter is tracked about your home. So what flooring is best for you and your kitty?

The recommendation for homes with cats is much the same as with dogs. Textured floors can conceal slight blemishes and waterproof flooring may be the way to go if your cat often misses the litter box. However, litter tracked throughout your home has the potential to drag along your floor and scratch it. Clean up any stray litter as soon as you see it. The same goes for hairballs and accidents.

__________________________

Pet-Friendly Flooring for Homes with Aquarium/Paludarium Dwellers

Water and flooring are typically a tricky combination. Therefore, your flooring recommendations will differ vastly depending on if you choose to keep a small jar with some aquatic moss or a lush 300-gallon turtle tank.

However, we do have a few basic recommendations regardless of your flooring or species selection. ALWAYS wipe up water that has been spilled! Never let it sit. Pools of water can damage flooring and even water-resistant flooring can only tolerate certain extents of water penetration.

You should also factor in how much water you spill during water changes. Water changes are inevitable and for large tanks, this can create large amounts of water sitting on the floor. The worst-case scenario should also be discussed in that your aquarium or water-holding vessel has exploded. Your pets are all safe, but how much water is now on the floor? Is it a manageable amount or are your floors ruined?

If there is a high likelihood of water getting onto your flooring, maybe decide on a waterproof or water-resistant flooring option. However, this is not a necessity as long as you clean up spills as soon as you see them!

__________________________

Pet-Friendly Flooring for Homes with Reptiles or Terrarium Dwellers

We recognize that your reptile will most likely not be leaving its terrarium for a stroll on your floor. However, as with anything, there are exceptions. If you share your home with a Tegu, Monitor, Iguana, or any other large reptilian friend, we recommend selecting a waterproof floor that can also stand up to spills and scrapes. But if your roommate is a Bearded Dragon or Western Hognose who doesn’t need to take a stroll across your home, any floor will be great for you!

__________________________

Pet-Friendly Flooring for Homes with Livestock or Farm Animals (Horses, Goats, Sheep, Alpacas)

Any floor is great when dealing with pets that live mostly outside! But while these animals do not usually come inside, dust, fur, and debris often do! Therefore, we recommend leaving your muck or riding boots outside and sweeping up any dust or fur that follows you in.

__________________________

Overall – Pet-Friendly Flooring

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all flooring option when pets are involved. Many homes have an assortment of animals which means a variety of different pet-related situations ranging from accidents to scratches to drool. While we can recommend options, you know your pets and their behavior best. However, we are always available to help you and your family find your ideal flooring.

And most importantly don’t forget to give your dog, cat, lizard, and maybe not your fish, a few pats for being a good boy or girl.