If you have a family home with furry friends, you will know that your home needs to be modified to suit the needs of your dog or cat. You might need to install stair gates, remove any toxic plants, and store food on high shelves to avoid any mishaps happening while you are out of the house.
One aspect of their home that some pet owners fail to consider before they introduce a pet to their home, is the flooring. You might never have thought about what flooring is best for your pet – or what pet is best for your floors! – until now.
In this post, we will explore the best types of flooring to have in a home with dogs, cats or both!
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Are carpets pet friendly?
Carpets are a highly popular form of flooring, loved for their comfort, aesthetic and low price. But are carpets pet friendly, or should they be avoided altogether?
If you are not averse to regular cleaning, carpets are a good type of floor to have with a pet. There are downsides to having a carpet with pets; the fibers of the carpet will absorb smells and fur, meaning that if they are left uncleaned, your home may begin to smell, and your carpet could seem discolored.
However, the upshot of this is that carpets hide all manner of sins. Your pet can lounge on the floors in luxurious comfort, without being at risk of scratching it. Plus, it keeps the home warmer, which helps your pet stay cozy.
Do dogs ruin wooden floors?
Many people avoid wooden floors when they know they want to get a dog or a cat. This is because your pet’s claws, as they run or walk across the wood, can scratch it, causing unsightly damage.
The truth is, if you are concerned with having a pristine home, wooden floors are best avoided if you have pets. Pets can’t help scratching the floor, especially if they are active and like to run around!
What floor should I avoid if I have a pet?
This is all dependent on how concerned you are with the appearance of your floor. Pets don’t ruin floors to the point where they need replacement, but they can make them seem scratched or faded over time.
In addition, you need to make sure that any chemical flooring treatments, such as primers, varnishes or paints, are pet safe before you apply them.
What is the best flooring for pets?
Ultimately, the best flooring for pets would either be a carpeted floor, or a solid floor such as flagstone, as this doesn’t scratch easily. Lino flooring is also a great cost-effective option for pets, as this can be replaced more cheaply if your pet damages it.
There are no flooring options that will totally resist the wear and tear of having a pet – if you want a perfect floor, it’s probably best not to have a pet altogether.
Use this blog as your flooring guide before you decide to bring a dog or cat into your family home!
Photo by Binyamin Mellish