The Best Flooring for Your Pets

It’s estimated that over 60% of American households have at least one cat or dog for a pet. It’s true that pets can be wonderful companions and endearing family “members”, but their residence in the home poses certain challenges, especially to your floors. Scratches, urine stains and other messes can all be expected when keeping a pet cat or dog.

So what’s the best type of flooring for your family and your pet? The answer to that question ultimately comes down to what you are most concerned about, as well as budget, décor preferences and the type of subflooring you have. But here are some top choices to consider:

#1 Luxury Vinyl – Luxury vinyl is a heavy duty vinyl product that now comes in beautiful hardwood-like planks or tile-like sheets. Fans rave that their luxury vinyl floors look almost identical to real hardwood or stone tile—but without the hefty price tag. This type of flooring works wonderfully for pets as well. Vinyl is extremely durable and holds up well against scratches and stains from moisture. And as an added bonus, this flooring quiets the sound of pets’ feet.

#2 Tile – Tile is a classic floor choice for pet owners. Sealed tile is almost completely non-absorbent and can be kept practically stain-free. If your pet is prone to accidents, tile may not be a bad choice. Clean-up is easy on tile and you won’t have to worry about an awful smell setting in. Your pets can run around all they want and you won’t have to worry about scratches, either. The downside of tile is that it feels (and can look) cold, so it needs to be warmed up with area rugs.

#3 Laminate – Laminate flooring is another common choice for pet owners, given its low cost and ease of installment. Laminate is incredibly durable, but its slippery surface and hardness can be stressful on animal joints.

#4 Bamboo or Cork – Both highly renewable natural resources, bamboo and cork flooring have become popular floor choices. High-end bamboo flooring is harder than most hardwoods, so it stands up under high traffic. Bamboo is also stain resistant, so spills and accidents shouldn’t be as much of a problem. Cork flooring is naturally antimicrobial, durable, and sound and shock absorbing, making it the most comfortable choice outside of carpet—for pets and owners alike.

#5 Carpet – For those without pets, carpet is a beautiful and inviting choice. But for pet owners, having carpet is a challenge. Dogs and cats are especially notorious for pulling up carpet fibers, staining carpet with urine and embedding carpet with pet hair.

But don’t lose heart if you love both your carpet and your pets: Steamer’s Carpet Care is San Antonio’s answer to your pet problems. Let our technicians renew your floor by removing stubborn pet odors and conducting a thorough cleaning that will make your carpets look, feel and smell like new.

Contact our team today!