Flooring with pets

What is the BEST flooring if you have pets?

It goes without saying that Australians love their pets. In fact, a recent study found that while Australia has a human population of just over 25 million, there are almost 29 million pets in the country today.

Not surprisingly the pet that comes out on top of the leader board is ‘man’s best friend’, the humble hound. While two in five households (3.6 million) own a dog, cats claw their way into second place, with approximately 2.7 million households playing servant to a furry feline.

Whatever your preferred pet, you can be sure that they won’t always be the perfect house guest. Whether it be ‘Smokey’ dragging her half-dead prized mouse into your bedroom, or ‘Buster’ trapsing his muddy paws over your lovely new Queens Twist wool carpet, your pets are certain to bring in unwanted mess.

Fact is that it doesn’t matter how well trained your pet is – they don’t hold a broom, can’t reach for the mop and bucket, and cannot see what their claws and paws are doing to your lovely Blackbutt timber.

We know that no matter what stress your pets bring on a daily basis, you love them, and they love you. So, to make your life as easy as theirs, we have out together this simple guide as to what is the best flooring for pets.

Before you start

Firstly, when it comes to choosing household flooring that’s pet-friendly, the most important things to consider and check off are:

• Durability
• Resistant to scratches
• Stain, moisture and odour resistant
• Easy to clean

That’s where the following two styles of flooring can really assist you and your furry friend co-exist.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is one of the best cost-effective flooring options because it’s extremely tough, waterproof, and highly resilient to wear and tear. Plus, as one of the easiest flooring types to clean and maintain, it remains a great option for allergy sufferers as hair and dander can be easily swept or mopped away. What’s more, vinyl flooring is cool and comfortable for those pets that like lounging around, and as it is quiet underfoot, you won’t be woken by your pet’s midnight ‘zoomies’.
Vinyl is also extremely stylish, and with a huge range of timber-look surfaces, textures and tones it is a fantastic, affordable alternative to timber floors

Laminate

Incredibly tough and scratch-resistant, it is no wonder that Laminate is one of the top flooring choices for households with furry friends. Laminate is a particularly durable and wear-resistant flooring choice because it has an additional external layer and resin coating. Laminate is also very ‘low-maintenance’ – it has superior stain-resistant properties and is extremely easy to clean.
However, it is important to remember that Laminate is top-layer moisture resistant. Unless cleaned quickly, moisture or puddles left to sit will be absorbed and may cause the flooring to swell and buckle.
When it comes to style, texture and designs, Laminate is also incredibly versatile with a wide range of looks and finishes. It has always been a popular option for pet owners and this trend will continue for some time.
If neither of the options above tick the box, you can also consider carpet.

Carpet

While it doesn’t sound like a practical choice, there are now many carpet flooring products that are manufactured specifically for pets. In fact, carpet can be a comfortable, warm and cosy flooring option, especially if your pet is older or starting to feel arthritic.

While carpet will prevent slipping and scratching, it is important you choose a pet-specific range that features a moisture backing. Importantly, you will also need to consider pet proof carpet protection as in many cases, carpet can harbour fleas, hair or unwanted pests like ticks.

Carpet is a warm, traditional flooring option that can last many years with pets, however, it can have a short wear life and will probably need to be replaced every ten years or so. If you have your heart set on carpet, make sure you opt for a lower pile and look for options that are durable, stain resistant, and easy to clean.

Installing new flooring is an investment, so you’ll want to find an option that both you and your pet will love. The right choice will make your flooring look neat and attractive for longer periods of time.

If you are unsure as to which product is best suited to you and your pet, make sure you talk to one of our professional team.

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