Best Flooring for Pets
Instead of asking yourself why dogs scratch floors or make a mess of things, it's best to invest in pet-friendly flooring. Pet owners often seek specific pet-safe features, such as resistance to scratches and accidents, easy cleaning and maintenance, and a texture that prevents slipping. Depending on the needs of your pets and family, there are many options for customizing floors for durability, longevity and style, keeping you — and your pets — comfortable.
1. Water-Resistant Laminate
Pros: easy to clean, scratch-resistant, affordable
Cons: needs to be replaced when the top layer wears off; may be slippery for older dogs (look for slip-resistant options)
Laminate flooring is an affordable, practical option for pet owners seeking the appearance of wood, stone or tile. Laminate flooring has four layers: melamine backing, a fiberboard core, a design layer printed with an image of wood and melamine wear layer. Pet owners should opt for a water-resistant or waterproof plastic option, as regular laminate flooring and engineered wood may be damaged by liquids if they’re not cleaned up quickly. Those looking for the best flooring for pets should pick laminate flooring rated for durability; look for an abrasion class (AC) of 4 or 5, which is flooring that’ll resist scratches and scuffs.
See our guide How to Install a Laminate Floor to help you get started.
2. Tile
Pros: easy to clean, stain- and scratch-resistant, waterproof, slow to fade
Cons: may be slippery for older dogs (look for slip-resistant options), vulnerable to cracks if heavy items fall on it, may be cold to pets and human feet
Tile offers beautiful designs and allows for easy cleanup of accidents, food and mud, making it one of the most durable kinds of flooring for pets. When properly installed with a solid underlayment and quality grout, ceramic or porcelain tile is sturdy, durable and long lasting. However, dogs may find tile slippery, so look for slip-resistant varieties and consider using wider grout to allow pets to gain traction. Tile may be best in warmer climates, where a cool floor will be comforting for both you and your furry friend in the hot summer months. For cooler climates, tile flooring can be uncomfortable in winter; although it can work well with radiant heating, which can be good for cats and dogs.
While tile may crack if a heavy item falls on it, replacing broken tiles is a manageable project and a way to keep floors looking new.
3. Vinyl
Pros: waterproof, easy to clean, can be slip-resistant
Cons: can be damaged by long claws or repeated scratching
Vinyl flooring is an excellent option since it’s a durable, easy-to-clean flooring type that’s comfortable for both pets and humans. It’s usually made of four layers: foam or cork backing, waterproof plastic, a design layer printed with an image of wood or stone, and a wear layer to protect the surface. Some vinyl flooring also mimics the texture of other materials, such as wood or stone, which can help prevent pets from slipping. Sheet vinyl is easy to install, and it’s a great choice in smaller rooms, which will have fewer seams. (Keep in mind that some liquid may be able to seep in between seams.)
See our guide How to Install Sheet Vinyl Flooring for more tips on vinyl flooring installation.
4. Hardwood
Pros: classic appearance, maintained with sanding, adds to resale value, easy to clean
Cons: prone to scratches, more expensive, isn’t waterproof, vulnerable to staining if liquid isn’t cleaned up, may be slippery for older dogs
Wood is a classic flooring choice. It adds to a home’s value with its warm appearance and can be rejuvenated by sanding. Choose hardwood — like oak, hickory, maple or tauari — which will stand up to pet claws and human use better than softer woods. Check a wood’s durability by referring to the Janka scale, which rates hardness. Wood can be slippery, so older dogs may not fare well on it, though area rugs can both add style and make the floor more comfortable for pets. Wood floors are best for house-trained dogs, as liquids can penetrate and stain wood.
See our guide How to Install Hardwood Floors for more information on how to begin this project.
5. Bamboo
Pros: more water-resistant than other hardwoods, scratch- and dent-resistant
Cons: darker colors often less durable than lighter colors
Though it’s often considered a hardwood, bamboo is actually a type of grass that’s among the most durable flooring, making it great for homes with pets. Bamboo flooring is made from strips of bamboo compressed or glued into planks or bonded to plywood (for engineered bamboo), and it usually has the appearance of wood. It’s more resistant to scratching from pet claws and dents than other types of wood, though be sure to select bamboo with a high Janka rating to get these benefits. When choosing bamboo flooring, keep in mind that lighter bamboo is usually harder than darker bamboo, since the process of darkening bamboo softens it.
6. Concrete
Pros: durable, low maintenance, water-resistant
Cons: may be cold during winter in cooler climates, hard underfoot
Concrete is one of the best flooring options for dogs and other pets because it can hold up to significant wear and messes. Although some may find it industrial in appearance, it can be stained to add color, inlaid with tile and stamped with designs. Also, it’s a great flooring type to style with rugs, which will help make it a warmer and softer surface. People with many pets seeking one of the most durable, low-maintenance types of flooring may find this to be the perfect type of flooring for their needs.
7. Carpet
Pros: warm and soft underfoot, insulates acoustics, comfortable for animals to lie on, good for animals with mobility issues
Cons: vulnerable to stains, holds smells, high maintenance
Carpet is a go-to flooring option because of the comfort and warmth it provides, especially in cooler climates. This may be the best flooring for pets with mobility issues and those who would benefit from a soft floor to lie down on. However, it isn’t a good choice for those whose pets are prone to accidents because it stains easily and holds on to odors. Also, it’s higher maintenance than some other types of flooring, as it requires regular vacuuming, especially with shedding pets. When choosing carpet, look for stain- and water-resistant options.
8. Cork
Pros: resists dents, insulates acoustics, soft underfoot, moisture- and mold-resistant, easy to clean
Cons: vulnerable to scratches, fades in direct sunlight
Though it’s a less commonly known flooring option, cork is a good choice for those seeking the soft, sound-absorbing qualities of carpet without the potential of staining. Cork flooring comes in a range of options, from tile to planks, and can have a variety of wood patterns. It contains a natural wax that makes it naturally water-, mold-, insect- and fire-resistant, and its softness makes it a forgiving surface for dropped items. While it can be scratched more easily than other types of wood, those who choose this option may replace tiles or planks as needed.
Wonder how any of these flooring types would look in your home? Lowe's Flooring Visualizer will help you see what floor works best for your space.