What are your biggest priorities in pet-friendly flooring? Is it ease of maintenance, or how long it will last? As you may have guessed, there’s no one best option. But today, we’re taking a closer look at the top three contenders. 

 

Key takeaways:

  • Engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), and porcelain tile are among the very best flooring for pets.

  • LVP is easy to care for, affordable, and comfortable under paws.

  • Engineered wood has natural beauty with more moisture resistance than solid wood.

  • Porcelain tile is the least likely to sustain damage from pets, and can last 50+ years. 

 

What makes a material the best flooring for pets?

Passionate pet owners need flooring that:

 

  • Can be cleaned as needed with pet-friendly cleansers.

  • Won’t be scratched by their nails extremely easily.

  • Is relatively slip-proof and easy for them to walk on.

  • Is durable enough to hold up under their zoomies.

  • Has enough moisture resistance to withstand accidents and training. 

 

Today’s options are presented as though maintenance and durability are the top priorities, but this won’t be the case for every pet owner. The number of pets you have, their age and health status, and your own design goals matter.

 

Good: Engineered hardwood is an attractive pet-friendly flooring option.

Engineered wood is a veneer of real wood fixed onto a structural board. This makes it less prone to warping than some older solid woods. Innovative wear layers on this type of floor also make it less prone to getting scratched up. 

Biggest benefits: Timeless aesthetic, very high-quality look, can be refinished a few times in its 30+ year lifespan.

Best for: Owners with one or two loyal companions, calmer packs of pets, fully house- and litterbox trained animals.  

Always consider: Engineered wood can still sustain scratches, but trimmed nails prevent a lot of this. Textured finishes that prevent slipping also help.

 

Better: LVP is a comfortable, low-maintenance choice.

If you need pet-friendly flooring that’s practically foolproof, go ahead and try LVP. Vinyl floor maintenance is easiest for cleaning up after pets, and the durability and design range have expanded very broadly in the last 20 years. 

Biggest benefits: Most budget-conscious option, great design flexibility, very durable and most comfortable under paws. 

Best for: Families with kids and pets, puppy training, senior pets, multiple pets, desire to regularly replace flooring. 

Always consider: A great fit is what helps keep this moisture-resistant option intact. Professional installation can help ensure accidents don’t seep between planks. 

 

Best: Porcelain tile is the ultimate in durable, scratch-resistant flooring.

Looking for a 50- to 100-year floor that doesn’t care how many pets you own? Definitely check out porcelain tile. Porcelain tile is fired to such high temps that it becomes the most resistant to cracks or chips. Pet claws cannot scratch it, and it’s the most moisture-resistant option.

Biggest benefits: Wipes clean, doesn’t absorb spills, cannot be scratched, incredible longevity. 

Best for: Heavy paw traffic, frequent cleanups, and sweeping away hair and dander with ease.

Always consider: The finish of the tile can keep it from being too slippery. Proper sealing and grout keep the subfloor in good shape. 

 

How to choose the right pet-friendly flooring for your home

Any of the above options are great for pets, but if you really want to know which is best for you, decide in three steps.

1. Have a professional designer listen to your needs and design goals.

2. Peruse the selection at your local showroom and see how it looks and performs up close. You can even enjoy a virtual walkthrough of how the new floor will look in your home.

3. Locate a trusted contractor for quality installation. In many cases, it’s not the flooring material itself that sustains damage. It’s the areas underneath and around that are compromised.

 

You can have some or all of the above at The Designery. Whether you need a free consultation to examine your options, a careful in-person look at an expansive range of materials, or a trusted pro to do it right, we’ve got you covered.

 

“There were plenty of colors to choose from. The floors were delivered on time, and we are enjoying the new space. Thank you very much for all your time and effort to ensure we got what we were looking for.”

Kanaka, The Designery client