When you share your home with a four-legged friend, it is important to consider the best flooring for dogs. While we love our pets and they are certainly part of the family, there is no denying that they can wreak havoc on our surfaces. From accidents to scratches, you need options that can stand up to your canine companion.
Stone Flooring and Pets
Stone flooring is generally considered pet-friendly, but not all are suitable. Marble, for example, is sensitive to acid, staining, and etching. If your pet has an accident – which happens to 100% of pet owners at least once! – you risk damaging the stone. Travertine is another stone that is less than ideal. Like marble, it is vulnerable to staining and etching when confronted with accidents.
If you do not want to give up on the idea of stone flooring, there are some great options that you – and your pet – can live with. These include:
- Slate
- Sandstone
- Granite
Surfaces that can mimic the look of stone while delivering pet-friendly properties are a great alternative. Porcelain and ceramic tile floors are beautiful, durable, versatile, and impervious to moisture and staining, scratches.
Because accidents, muddy paws, and wet fur can be so hard on your surfaces, it is important to look into waterproof flooring for pets. The hard stone (granite, sandstone, and slate) and tile (porcelain, ceramic) options we mentioned above are moisture-resistant. Another option is vinyl and luxury vinyl tile. Hardwood and laminate are not waterproof and you may see damage on these surfaces.
What about carpet? There are more “pet-proof” carpets on the market that resist staining and retaining dander and allergens, while offering great durability.
What’s the best flooring for pets – and what will also work for your needs, style, and budget? Contact East Coast Flooring today, and we’ll help you find and install the perfect surfaces.