The Best Flooring for Dogs That Will Help You Avoid Long-term Damage
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SPY.com may receive an affiliate commission.
If you’ve lived with an animal for any amount of time, you know that accidents happen, and these accidents can damage or permanently ruin your floor. Water damage is a serious issue for any type of flooring, including dog messes. So what kind of floor will stand up to the test of time? If you want nice hardwood floors, it’ll be a challenge to keep them pristine and you might find yourself investing more time than desired into protecting your expensive floor from damage. Dogs (and kids) are tough on hardwood floors, stone, and marble, but there are plenty of durable, safe options out there that won’t leave you scrubbing on hands and knees every other day.
Today's Top Deals
These Amazon Security Cameras Are Going for Less Than $20 Each Right Now
Over 34,000 Users Gave These Fat Burner Supplements 5 Stars on Amazon
Yes, It’s Possible To Get AirPods for Less Than $100 — But Hurry, This Deal Won't Last Long
Dogs create more damage on floors than we think with their nails, pet dander, and waste (even on accident). Some options for the best flooring for dogs may be cleaner than others but may also echo with the loud sound of a dog’s nails, so your own personal comfort is also a factor. The style of your home is another. Consider your budget, floor plan, and square footage before investing in a desired material that may be pet-friendly. Here, we’ve rounded up a few of the best floors for pets.
1. Vinyl Flooring
BEST OVERALL
Vinyl flooring is our number one choice for dog flooring because of its easy-to-clean surface and resistance to long-term damage. It is cost-effective and stain-resistant. There are waterproof options. Need we say more? Let your dog enjoy running around at home and let yourself relax whenever there is a scratch to be buffed out or an accident to be cleaned. Vinyl floor is an excellent option for pet owners because of it is quiet and comfortable underfoot, easy on senior dog’s paws, and slide-resistant for aging seniors. Keep your home safe and clean with a realistic and cost-effective option while staying stylish. While this isn’t the most eco-friendly option, or valued at resale price, this is our best overall pick for floors while living with dogs.
2. Laminate Flooring
RUNNER-UP
Laminate flooring is another excellent choice for pet owners who have active dogs running about the house. It is scratch-resistant and easy to clean, making it a desirable choice for homeowners who want to keep their home intact while also housing a dog. Laminate flooring is an ideal choice because it is a cost-effective way to cover a lot of square footage, which is ideal for pet owners who wish to cover as many rooms in their home as possible. Some things to consider about laminate are that you’ll need waterproof laminate to be properly protected from water damage or pet messes as well as noise resistant laminate to ease the noise of a dogs loud nails.
3. Tile Flooring
ALSO CONSIDER
Tile flooring is a timeless option that pet owners have long desired and used to protect the value of their homes. Tile is scratch resistant, easy to clean if it has large grout, and doesn’t have the tendency to house odors if a mess goes unattended for long periods of time. Some things to consider about tile are the effects of slippery tile for aging pets, being hard to clean if you have thin grout lines, and the reality that tiles flooring can get fairly expensive. There are cost-effective options available, but it is a generally more expensive option. If you value the price of your home, it is a worthy investment.
4. Engineered Hardwood Flooring
BEST FOR HIGH-TRAFFIC SPACES
While engineered hardwood flooring is expensive, it may be prudent to install it in the most trafficked areas of your home. Dogs are messy to live with, but the value of your home doesn’t have to decrease over time because of your pet with engineered hardwood flooring in front rooms and living spaces. Engineered hardwood floors offer style, clean lines, and easy-to-clean exteriors but don’t handle water damage well and may scratch easily. This may be a great option for well-trained dogs with well-trimmed nails, but not for aging seniors or puppies. With all of these factors in mind, it is mid-way on our list for being expensive as well as prone to water damage.
Buy: Engineered Hardwood Flooring
5. Solid Hardwood Flooring
TIMELESS
Hardwood floor is a staple in any home that wants to generate value and for a home with pets, it can be a timeless option that will prove worthy. With a waterproof option available, a hardwood floor can be sustainable through the life of a pet, from pleasant puppyhood to the wild and playful teenage years without wear or tear. The slippery texture may prove difficult for aging dogs, but you can put down carpet by then. Hardwood floor is a viable, cost-effective option for families with smaller dogs versus larger dogs, as it is liable to scratch and hard to maintain over time.
6. Carpet
BUDGET-FRIENDLY
Carpet has long been a staple in homes worldwide, but with pets, it may seem like a surprising choice. With carpet, you want an easy-to-clean option, one that won’t absorb odor from pet messes. There’s nothing worse than carpet that constantly smells of pet dander and other odors. The main benefit of choosing carpet is the cost-effectiveness and while it may not be a great choice for every room, it can help reduce the cost of other expensive floorings in other highly trafficked rooms.
More Top Deals from SPY
