You want to upgrade your floor to something that works for you, your infant, and your pet. While your child will eventually grow up and start walking upright, your dog will always sprawl the floors.
What is the most durable flooring for dogs? Lucky for you, there are countless solutions you can try.
They are solutions that will benefit both parties. Statistics show that you will find at least a dog in 40% of all homes, and the owners have found plenty of pet-friendly flooring options. But just like most things in life, it involves compromises.
What is the most durable flooring for dogs?
Because as much as you want to make sure your furry friend feels at home, the option that you decide to take up should also include your furry pal.
When thinking about remodeling your floor to accommodate your dog, you need to consider both human’s and dog’s needs.
On the human side of things, a floor that is scratch-resistant, easy to clean, and sound absorption is the goal.
Considering the needs of your pet friend, you want a floor that has enough traction so that when your dog gets old and having a hard time standing up, it gets help from the floor.
Many pet owners usually confuse durability with resistance. These are two completely different things. While durability includes moisture, impact, and scratch, resistance is mainly about scratches.
There is a flooring option out there that is friendly for you and your pet, and I am going to take you through some of them, indicating how it will benefit both you and your dog.
Let’s get started!
8 Pet Resistant Flooring Options
Laminate Flooring
Why it’s good for you:
Although laminate is weak when it comes to moisture resistance, it actually performs spectacularly well in the area of scratch resistance.
To know how well the product you have purchased is in terms of scratch resistance, read on the label’s specs section.
The floor Abrasion Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5.
The floors with Abrasion Ratings AC 1 and AC 2 and typically too light and are not the best floors for dogs.
Going up, AC 3 floors are usually for residential properties with moderate traffic, while floors with AC of 4 and 5 ratings are for commercial use.
Buying a thicker laminate floor of let’s say, 12 mm, with underlayment, you will have a floor that is scratch-free and also sound-proof from dog’s click-clack.
For dog:
It is not harmless to your dog, besides it is transparent, so it won’t know it is there. And there will be no claws and scratches.
Vinyl Flooring
For you:
Vinyl flooring is pet-friendly, and you are going to love that. Another thing you will like about this option is that you can totally install it yourself. Vinyl is a perfect option if you are seeking total resilience.
For dog:
Vinyl flooring is able to absorb heat during hot months of summer and retain it during the cold seasons. So your dog is going to be happy with this arrangement.
Bamboo flooring
For you:
Bamboo flooring is one of the most durable options on this list due to its natural resins. So it is ecologically friendly, easy to maintain, water-resistant, and pocket-friendly.
For dog:
Bamboo floor will be warm during the cold months, so your furry friend is going to love this option.
Solid hardwood
For you:
Dogs usually enjoying playing and clawing solid hardwood floors, but the harder the wood, the less scratching marks on the floor.
Another good thing about hardwood is that it can be restored whenever you want to renovate. While the dog will still scratch, it will take your pet years to leave a noticeable mark.
For dog:
The floor will be warm, so that is a plus to the dog.
Tile
For you:
This is arguably the best option. The tiling floor, especially with ceramic and porcelain, will make your life easier.
First, it can be mopped without a hassle, and second, it is sound-proof as well as scratch-resistant.
For dog:
Due to its slickness, your older pet may find it hard to stand, but your dog will find traction if you lay the tiles in a manner that reveals thick plaster lines.
Plus, you can always buy tiles with a better grip by checking the specs.
Carpeting
For You:
Everything about carpeting, you will love. Of course, except for the part where you have to vacuum to get rid of dog hair.
For dog:
It is probably the best option for dogs, and not you. Carpet provides the much-needed traction for your dog to run around the house.
Engineered wood flooring
For You:
This option is popular in the contemporary flooring industry. Engineered wood flooring is not like your regular hardwood straight from woods and into your floor. It includes layers of plywood sheets, mainly a thin slice of veneer in the outer layer and fiberboard or plywood in the inner layers.
Going with this option, you will reduce the moisture problem, your floor won’t swell or warp with a change in climate, and the cost of maintenance is low. Additionally, the engineered floors can also be installed on subfloors such as vinyl and ceramic.
For dog:
Engineer wood is warm and comfortable for your dog. Prefinished engineered hardwood floors are also durable and last longer.
Your dog will freely play with its claws because the floor has a solid wood layer that is susceptible to scratches, dents, and other sorts of marks.
Cork flooring
For You:
similar to bamboo flooring, you are going to love cork flooring due to its eco-friendliness and antimicrobial compound that reduce mold and allergens growth. It can withstand foot traffic and scratches from your dog very well.
For dog:
It is warm for your dog, pliant with enough traction.
