Best Flooring Options for Pets | Flooring HQ

Best Flooring Options for Pets

The best pet-friendly flooring materials for your home
Read Time: 3.5 minutes
Jul 3, 2023

Choosing a new flooring material can be a challenge. This is especially the case if you are a pet owner, as your choices are more limited. Your cat’s nails can leave scratches or your dog could have an accident on the floor, resulting in stains and unappealing odors. Keep your furry friend inside with your family by investing in a durable and suitable floor for pets. Here are the top five flooring options for pet owners.

Top 5 flooring options for pets

1. Tile and stone flooring

Stone and tile flooring are favorable options for many pet owners, for a number of reasons. Stone and tile are both durable and scratch-resistant. Any scratches that do occur are very difficult to notice. Furthermore, stone and tile flooring do not absorb any moisture, which makes it easy to clean if your pet does have an accident.

Tile flooring can cost anywhere between $1.00 per square foot to $30.00 per square foot. Contact Flooring HQ to choose a flooring that works best with your budget.

If you worry that the hard tile or stone may be uncomfortable for your pet, you can place a soft dog sofa or bed so your pet has a warm place to rest. Cats are also able to rest on any nearby cozy couch or chair.

Dog on tile flooring in a kitchen

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Highly resistant to scratches
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Feels cold and hard underfoot

2. Bamboo flooring

If you want a natural look for your floors that is also suitable for pets, bamboo flooring will work best. It is highly durable and resistant to scratches and stains. Bamboo gives your home a special look and the hardwood surface makes it easy to clean up after your pet.

The more sustainable flooring option, bamboo flooring roughly costs between $5.00 to $15 per square foot.

Close-up of bamboo flooring

Pros

  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Stain and scratch-resistant
  • Eco-friendly
  • Durable

Cons

  • Irregular quality depending on source

3. Luxury vinyl flooring

Luxury vinyl is a budget-friendly option for pet owners looking for durable flooring material. The thick underfoot surface creates a floor that is comfortable for your pets to lie down, which makes it easier for you to keep them off your best furniture.

When correctly installed, the luxury vinyl planks are water-resistant, which makes them appropriate for pets. Average material costs for vinyl plank flooring range between $1.50 and $10 per square foot, depending on the product.

Luxury vinyl flooring planks

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Comfortable for pets
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Water and scratch-resistant
  • Durable

Cons

  • Difficult to remove

4. Engineered hardwood

As a rule of thumb, solid hardwood floors are not recommended for pets. However, engineered hardwood is durable and scratch-resistant, making them ideal for pet owners who love the look of wood flooring. Brazilian cherry or white oak are recommended.

Costs for engineered hardwood range between $4.50 to $12 per square foot.

Pros

  • Increases your home’s resale value
  • More water-resistant than older hardwood floorings
  • Durable
  • Looks elegant

Cons

  • Can easily be scratched
  • Higher maintenance
  • Not moisture-proof

5. Cork flooring

Cork flooring is ideal for pet owners because of microbial properties which keep your home free from mold and allergens, even with the presence of a pet. Cork flooring is also a soft, warm surface for your pet to lay on. Its resilient nature allows your pet to move around without slipping easily.

While no natural wood floor is completely resistant to scratches, cork flooring is more adaptable to a pet’s claws than traditional hardwood. While water-resistant, cork flooring is not waterproof, so pet owners will need to clean any spills or accidents immediately to protect their floor.

The price of cork flooring material ranges from $3 to $12 per square foot or an average of $7.50 per square foot. It’s available in planks or tiles.

Young girl and dog on cork flooring in a living room

Pros

  • Microbial properties
  • Absorbs sound
  • Warm, soft and resilient

Cons

  • Less scratch-resistant
  • Not waterproof

What flooring materials should pet owners avoid?

If you want a flooring material that is durable and suitable for your pets, it is important to know which flooring materials to avoid.

Carpet

Carpet absorbs water and stains easily. Cats also claw at it and your dog will chew the new carpet flooring.

Solid hardwood

Solid hardwood can easily be scratched. Pet accidents and spills destroy the floor as well.

Traditional laminate flooring

Traditional laminate flooring can damage easily from water spills. Its slippery texture is a potential cause for injury.

Ready to install new flooring?

It is important to choose a flooring that suits your home and your pet. Contact Flooring HQ for all of your flooring needs.