The Best Type of Flooring for Pets

Did you know that more than 12 million people in the UK alone have at least one pet?

With numbers like those, it's unsurprising that people would want to pet-proof their homes in the best ways possible. While pets can be a lot of fun to have, they also tend to scratch up and damage various parts of people's homes.

For that reason, it's important to choose the best flooring for pets. But what is the best flooring and how can you make sure that the floor you choose will be sufficiently cleanable and durable enough to stand the test of time?

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Flooring for Pets

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When you think of the best flooring for dogs or cats, you are likely thinking about what floor can withstand the most scratches. However, scratches are only one problem that you'll have to deal with when you have pets. For that reason, floors that claim to be pet-friendly may only be pet-friendly in a certain way.

Another factor you might need to consider is whether your pet is toilet-trained or not. If not, you will likely be dealing with a few spills here and there. Pets who spend time outside may also bring mud, pollen, and others bits of wildlife into your home. If you don't have floors that are resistant to water and stains, you might have a serious problem on your hands. No one wants permanent stains, water marks, or suspicious sticky patches on their floor.

You will also need to consider how much upkeep and maintenance you'll have to put into your floor. Most people want floors that . However, some floors require a little more maintenance in order to function as they should.

There is also the subject of comfort. No one wants an uncomfortable floor that is always too cold or too hard under your feet. Keep this in mind when you look for floors that are resistant to scratches.

Often, the more durable a type of flooring is, the less comfortable it may be. Traction ties in with comfort since some floors can seriously lack traction and have you (and your pet) slipping around with every step. Finally, there is the cost.

There are plenty of high-quality and pet-friendly floors you can choose from, but many of these options may be out of your price range. If this is the case, you shouldn't worry too much. There are still plenty of pet-friendly floors to choose from that don't involve you going broke.

Once you consider all this, you'll have an easier time buying the best flooring for cats or dogs.

Choosing Tile Floors for Your Pets

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When it comes to the decision of the best floor for pets, many pet owners end up choosing tile for their homes. After all, tile tends to be durable, stylish, and easy to wipe down. This is not, however, to say that tile flooring is without its downsides.

The first thing you should know about tile is that it never goes out of fashion. While certain luxury flooring options may come and go, tile is not going anywhere. The benefit of tile is that it can come in a huge variety of colours, textures, patterns, and styles.

Tile also requires next to no maintenance, and therefore, no worry. Whether your pet accidentally dribbles on the floor or you spill a bowl of your dog's water, not much of anything will put a dent in your tile floors. For that reason, if you're worried about the appearance of your floor fading and degrading with age, tiles may be an attractive option.

Whatever you spill on your tile floors, you'll be able to wipe up without any concerns of stains or water damage. Porcelain tiles are especially sturdy and they don't have to look like the typical white porcelain that might come to mind. You can choose porcelain tiles that look more like natural stone or even wood floors.

By being able to choose the appearance of your tile floors, you can make sure that the tile matches every room in your house. A bright white floor could make for a great addition to your kitchen or bathroom, opening up the space and making it feel clean. On the other hand, more rustic tiles can give a bit of warmth to your living room or bedroom with no risk of pet scratches or stains.

Choosing Laminate Floors for Your Pets

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Tile is not for everyone. One of its major downsides is that it can be quite cold or hard on your feet as well as your pet's paws. If those reasons have deterred you from choosing tile flooring, then laminate may be a good alternative.

Like tile, laminate flooring is high on the list of flooring options for pet-owners, and for good reason. Laminate floors tend to look like real wood, but they are actually made of a mix of various synthetic materials. These synthetic materials may include melamine resin, among other materials, which is a particularly strong substance.

For that reason, if you love the look of hardwood floors but can't afford the real deal, you can get laminate. Laminate floors, especially the luxury options, can often be indistinguishable from real hardwood floors. They can add the same kind of warmth and rustic feel as wood floors at a much more affordable price tag.

Laminate floors also are scratch-resistant. No matter how much your dog runs around your home and no matter how much your cat claws at your floors, your laminate flooring won't show the slightest scratch. There is a downside, however, when it comes to laminate flooring and it has to do with how it reacts with water.

Laminate floors don't tend to be as waterproof as tile floors. For that reason, laminate floors may not be a good idea if you are still house training your pet, or are otherwise frequently faced with puddles that may sit overnight. But don't get the impression that laminate floors are completely incapable of handling water.

They are still very easy to clean due to their smooth surface, and stains are rarely a problem. As long as you act fast, you can clean up any spills on laminate floors without any problems.

Choosing Carpet for Your Pets

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Many people think that they have to part with carpets forever once they bring pets into the house, but this is not necessarily true. While it is true many ordinary carpets stain and pick up pet odours, you don't have to choose these ordinary carpets. After all, carpets can make your home feel much warmer and more comfortable than other, harder types of flooring.

When choosing a carpet with pets in mind, you'll ideally want something resistant to water and stains. These carpets have special fibres that won't readily pick up liquids or stains and are especially hard wearing compared to others. Many carpets of this design will often come with warranties.

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Can Carpet Cleaning Remove Urine? and Other Pet Questions

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When it comes to carpets, you'll also have to keep your pet's claws in mind. Claws can eventually tear up carpets and make them look worn down.

However, if you choose carpets that don't have many loose fibres, you'll find that you won't need to worry about this problem too much. By choosing a carpet with very tightly woven fibres, it will be more difficult for your pets to claw up your carpets.

Another pet problem people face with carpets is flea infestations. While these pests can lurk in sofas, curtains, and other upholstery, they can be more of a challenge to remove from carpets.

Luckily, there are still methods for this if the worst happens. These include deep cleans for your carpets and upholstery, steam can be particularly effective due to the high temperatures this exposes carpets to. Some also swear by household remedies like salt or lemon solution. If the problem persists, there are also chemical products on the market to deal with fleas, or you could hire the services of an exterminator.

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How can I Clean my Floors While Keeping my Pets Safe?

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Whatever type of flooring you go for, it will inevitably need a clean now and again. It's vital for the safety of your pets that you use products which don't have the potential to poison or irritate your furry friends.

When buying products from the supermarket, you can often check the ingredient list or any safety warnings. However, if you're hiring professionals to clean your home, it's important to establish whether they use pet-friendly machines and cleaning products before their first visit.

At A Cleaning Service, the cleaning products and methods we use for carpets and hard flooring are suitable for pets and children. This means your whole family can relax in a fresh, clean home which suits them to a T.