What genders are best for dogs
Flooring can sometimes be hard on dogs, but it can also be tough on pets, especially those with disabilities. The right choice of flooring should take into account not only your needs, but also the needs of your dog. Finding the right floor can seem like a daunting task, but there are excellent options on the market to meet the most demanding needs of pet owners and their pets.
How to choose flooring materials for dogs and the most suitable hardwood floors – further in the article.
Contents
The Best Floor Coverings for Dogs: A Few Choices
The choice of flooring will depend on your priorities. Style certainly matters, but durability and ease of cleaning are also important. If your dog is shedding, you can choose a floor color or pattern to mask the pet’s shedding hair so you don’t have to constantly sweep. If your pet has special needs, they may take precedence over any other preferences. Cost is also an important factor when choosing a floor. Luckily, there are many stylish and affordable flooring options on the market that will suit your and your dog’s requirements.
Tile
Ceramic, stone and porcelain tiles are easy to keep clean. To remove dirty paw prints or the effects of early toilet training failures, all you need to do is quickly wipe the floor with a mop. The tile is durable and scratch-resistant material, so it will also withstand the impact of dog claws.
The disadvantage of tile is that it can be slippery for the dog. And if in warm weather it is quite pleasant to lie on a cool tile, then in winter it can become very cold. However, both of these problems are solved with the help of cozy rugs and beds for pets. Resource The Spruce notes that you can find out the coefficient of friction of the tile and choose less slippery for dog paws. In addition, a thicker layer of grout can help the dog not slip.
Vinyl
Vinyl floors are more affordable than tile. This is another durable and easy to maintain option. Vinyl generally provides better grip on the floor than tile. In summer, the coating remains cool, and in winter it cools less than tiles. However, it is better for the dog to provide a comfortable surface on which he can relax.
Laminate
Laminate, which mimics the look of a wood floor, is more durable and scratch resistant. One disadvantage is that laminate flooring can deteriorate from exposure to spilled liquid if it is not quickly removed. If you’re just potty training your dog, if you have an older dog with incontinence problems, or if your pet is prone to accidental “incidents”, it’s best to consider another cover option.
Another potential disadvantage of laminate flooring, according to the American Kennel Club, is that the dog slides on the laminate. This is due to the texture of the coating used to seal and protect the laminate panels. You can choose a floor with a rougher texture, which will provide better grip for the dog’s paws on the floor surface. However, it is worth remembering that the dog clicks on the laminate and does it quite loudly. If you want to sometimes have silence in the house, it is better to pay attention to another coating.
Probka
Cork flooring is another pet-friendly option that will create the desired look of a wooden floor. Cork is durable and absorbs sound, which means that the click of a dog’s claws on the floor won’t echo throughout the house. In addition, cork is not only more resistant to liquids than laminate, but according to Floor Critics it has natural antimicrobial properties. It is easy to care for and is suitable for owners who often have to clean up after their pets the consequences of “little troubles”.
Cork flooring provides excellent grip and retains heat well, making it a comfortable surface for both walking and lounging for your pet.
Bamboo
With properties similar to those of the hardest wood species, bamboo is a stylish and durable option for those looking for a hard-wearing floor. Durable and scratch resistant, it provides enough friction to keep the animal’s paws from slipping and moving apart. Bamboo is also able to retain heat. It is important to note that bamboo floors can vary in quality. If you’re looking for a harder floor that can withstand pet claws, look for interlocking bamboo stalks that have reached maturity, Home Flooring Pros advises.
carpet tiles
Wall-to-wall carpeting is perhaps the most comfortable type of flooring for both pets and people. But the presence of pets in the house, as a rule, ends very sadly for the carpet material, because stains are poorly washed from it, it accumulates odors and allergens, and it also easily deteriorates from scratching with claws. If you still like carpet, consider installing carpet tiles instead of wall-to-wall flooring. Carpet tiles will provide all the benefits of carpeting, including comfort, warmth and ease of movement for the dog, but if a particular area is damaged, it will be easy to replace.
The Best Types of Hardwood Floors for Dogs
Wooden floors are not usually considered the best option for a dog house because they are easily damaged. However, if you want your floor to be made from real hardwood, your best bet is to choose the strongest material you can afford. The softer the wood, the more scratches from the claws will remain on it.
Listed below are the best hardwood flooring options:
- Brazilian nut: hard enough for outdoor use, brazil walnut, also called ipe, is one of the hardest wood floors on the market. While this option is expensive, according to The Spruce, the cost has come down in recent years.
- Hard Maple: hard maple flooring, often used to cover basketball courts and sometimes also called sugar or rock maple, is slightly more affordable than brazil walnut. It has a certain hardness rating and is able to withstand the onslaught of most pets. But if your dog is especially large and heavy or very active, it will still get scratches.
- Reclaimed wood: the most affordable option that can give your home a vintage, well-maintained look. Since the floor is meant to look scruffy, any scratches or dents left by a dog will blend into its texture and add charm.
How to make the floor more comfortable for your dog
If you don’t want to completely change your flooring, there are a few steps you can take to protect your floor from damage and make it more comfortable for your dog:
- On hard floors, lay rugs to provide softness and warmth.
- In high-traffic areas, place easy-to-clean mats and walkways to protect the floor and provide good traction for the dog’s paws.
- Trim your dog’s nails regularly. This will make it easier for her to move and reduce the likelihood of slipping.
- Equip the dog with a sleeping place so that she does not have to lie on a cold hard floor or occupy furniture.
- If your pet has occasional little mishaps, place training mats in strategic locations and encourage your dog to go there when you can’t get him outside. You might consider diapers or special bandages for dogs if your pet is incontinent. Be sure to check with your veterinarian if your pet goes to the toilet in the house, as this is often a sign of a serious health problem.
There are many types of pet-friendly flooring on the market, so you’re sure to find one that suits the needs of the whole family.