Dogs, cats, and other four-legged friends aren’t just pets—they are family. They bring joy and warmth into life, and a house isn’t a home without them. Like any other valued member of your household, their needs should also be considered when choosing flooring for your home.
The pitter-patter of little paws and claws on the flooring may be cute, but it also translates to scratches and dents. Pets also sometimes forget they’re potty-trained, and they also drag in leaves and dirt from outside into your home.
When choosing flooring for your home remodel, here are the factors you need to consider.
Stain Resistance
No matter how well they’ve been house-trained, pets can still sometimes have little “accidents.” Cats are notorious for knocking over glasses, and you can’t stop Rover from tracking in mud after a happy day at the park. When choosing the flooring for your property, opt for materials that can withstand stains and can easily be cleaned.
Scratch Resistance
Even if they don’t actively dig, dogs and cats can still scratch floors just by walking around. Even if you keep their nails trimmed, they can still damage the flooring.
Some flooring materials are resistant to scratches. Others, such as hardwood, can easily be re-sanded they become too damaged so you won’t have to live with dents and gouge marks on your flooring year after year. Meanwhile, vinyl and carpet tiles can easily be replaced.
A great option for pet owners is textured laminate flooring. Santa Ana homeowners won’t have to sacrifice style for durability, as laminate flooring comes in a wide range of colors and finishes. It can be made to look like hardwood, ceramic, or tiles. In addition, laminate flooring is highly resistant to scratches, dings, and moisture.
In the past, laminate wasn’t considered pet-friendly because of its smoothness. Today, you can get thick and textured laminate flooring that provides dogs and cats with a better grip.
Traction
That high-gloss flooring option you’re considering might be durable and look nice, but it might also be too slippery. You want your pets to be able to walk and run comfortably on your floors, not slip and slide all over the place. Choosing the flooring with enough traction is especially critical if you have older pets that find it difficult to stand or walk.
Comfort
Concrete might be stain-resistant and scratch-proof, but your pets might not find it very comfortable to lie on. When choosing a flooring option, don’t forget to consider the comfort of your pets. Senior dogs and cats as well as pets with joint issues especially need flooring that isn’t too hard.
When it comes to pet comfort, nothing trumps carpeting. It also provides excellent traction. However, having a carpeted floor means having to vacuum regularly to remove pet hair. The carpeting might not also be the best option if you have incontinent pets.
When choosing the flooring for a home with pets, factor in both your needs and that of your four-legged friends. To find the best option, compare popular flooring materials and research their pros and cons.
