The Complete Guide to Selecting an Ideal Surfacing Option for Your Furry Friends
One of the most rewarding things about being a pet parent is the fact that they always have an excited furry companion by their side, looking forward to being with them. If you have a pet, you would surely do everything possible to uphold such a precious relationship and make life safe and enjoyable for your furred partner.
Your furry mate is resolutely floor-bound; so, the surface you choose for your indoor and outdoor space has a huge influence on their quality of life. Hence, when considering a floor installation, your pet’s needs should be one of your priorities.
Your pooch or mouser is always around for you. Hence, as a loving and responsible pet parent, it’s only fair to consider their needs when undertaking such a project. This post offers valuable tips on choosing a pet-friendly surfacing option for families with four-legged members.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pet-Friendly Surface
An ideal pet-friendly surfacing will be comfortable for your four-legged friends, resistant to wear and tear, and yet, render an aesthetic appeal to your space. Consider your needs and your pet’s comfort when opting for a suitable flooring. For instance, you may need something durable and easy to clean. On the other hand, for your furred pal, it’s all about traction and comfort.
Consider the below-mentioned factors to make an informed decision in this matter.
1. Moisture Resistance
Even a well-trained pet can be a cause for spills in the living area. Also, let’s not forget the signature shake of a wet dog or long-haired cats after a bath or swim. Mutts drool too! If not cleaned up immediately, the floor will be left wet for long hours, permanently damaging the surface and the subfloor and leading to bigger problems like mold and mildew.
Therefore, you should opt for a surface that’s not just impervious to moisture in any form but also inhospitable to mold, pathogens, and allergens.
2. Durability
Your quadruped’s claws constantly make contact with the surface they walk on. Plus, canines are naturally curious beings; hence, they tend to claw or scratch surfaces. This can cause scratch marks on soft surfaces like cork, permanently damaging the area.
Make sure you choose a scratch-resistant and durable flooring option that can be easily refinished, allowing the claw marks to blend in with the surrounding area.
3. Traction
Isn’t it a great feeling to have your furry mate speed towards you to welcome you when you get home? But in their excitement, they may skid and bruise their bones, especially of your floor lacks the required traction. That’d be a shame!
Hard floors like wood and laminate are not only tough on your pet’s foot but also increase the risk of injuries. Choose a floor that offers adequate traction and cushioning, allowing your canine to express their excitement freely and greet you without skidding or injuring themselves.
4. Underfoot Comfort
Your mutt deserves a comfortable surface that’s easy on their tender paws. Surfaces like tiles and stone may be durable and resistant to moisture but fail to offer adequate cushioning to quadruples, making them feel uncomfortable. Further, these surfaces tend to get cold in harsh winters.
On the other hand, a surface like poured-in-place rubber surfacing is pliable and offers adequate cushioning in comparison to the hard flooring materials.
5. Easy to Clean
Regardless of how cute they are, pets tend to track dirt and debris inside the living area, making the floor look dirty in no time. They also tend to leave hair and dander (or even a messy surprise!) and spill water and food around.
Therefore, it’s critical to choose a flooring option that’s easy to clean and maintain. Laminate floors can effortlessly stand up against the mess caused by pets; however, they offer little or no traction. Similarly, tile and stone floorings are easy to clean and maintain; yet, they aren’t the most comfortable for your four-legged friends.
On the other hand, installing a rubber surfacing can make your living space more pet-friendly. The surface is also easy to clean and maintain. Make sure you consider all the above-mentioned factors before choosing an ideal option for Fido!
The Top Pet-Friendly Flooring Options Compared
Now that we are clear on what criteria to consider when choosing an ideal flooring for your furry mate, let’s see how the top surfacing materials compare.
1. Tile or Stone Flooring
Tile and stone are considered to be a great option when it comes to holding up whatever your pet dishes out. However, being hard flooring they aren’t easy on your pal’s paws.
Pros
- Water and stain-resistant
- Easy to clean in case of an accident or a spill
- They demand little maintenance
Cons
- Hard and cold; hence, they aren’t comforting to the tender paws
- Offer no traction, increasing the risk of skid injuries
2. Laminate Flooring
Laminate floors seem to be a good choice for homes with pets because they are easy to clean and need less maintenance. However, the texture and finishing of laminate flooring tend to make it slippery for pets, increasing the risk of hip injuries.
Pros
- Moisture resistant flooring. You don’t have to stress about letting moisture like urine or spills linger for too long
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Resistant to scratches and scuffs
Cons
- Since it’s a hard surface, it isn’t comfortable for your pet
- It offers zero traction. So, if your canine is a fast-moving being, they may end up hurting themselves
3. Cork
Cork is an eco-friendly flooring option that’s pliant and comfortable for quadrupeds. However, they aren’t durable and easily get scratched. Also, cork doesn’t perform well in wet conditions.
Pros
- Sound-absorbing and pliant, making it easy for pets to move around
- Offer sound traction
Cons
- Gets scratched easily; hence, it’s recommended that you clip your pet’s nails regularly before letting them on the surface
- Not easy to clean and maintain
- Not moisture resistant. In fact, it’s easy for moisture to seep into the subfloor and harbor mold, bacteria, and other allergens
4. Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood comprises of a hardwood glued to a plywood base. The flooring can be installed quickly and is slightly more moisture-resistant in comparison to wood. Further, it’s less prone to warping.
However, being hardwood they aren’t easy on your pet’s paws and can be easily scratched. Hardwood is not recommended for families with pets. Let’s see why!
Pros
- They are durable and add value to the overall decor
Cons
- They are prone to scratching and need refinishing with urethane
- Spills need to be cleaned up immediately, else the moisture tends to seep in, thus damaging the subfloor
- Offers little traction, increasing the risk of skidding
5. Rubber Surfacing
Of all the surfacing options we’ve seen so far, rubber surfacing seems to be the winner as it’s a durable flooring option that offers adequate cushioning and traction. Thus, rubber surfacing is ideal for families with furred members.
Pros
- Moisture resistant and inhospitable to mold, mildew, and other pathogens
- Offers adequate cushioning underfoot and is safe for your pets
- Offers good traction and is skid-proof
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Highly durable and resilient to regular wear and tear
- Available in a wide variety of colors and textures to complement your overall decor
Cons
- It may seem like a costly option; however, rubber surfacing pays for itself in the long term
- The flooring may have a car-tire like smell when newly installed. However, the smell fades away after a week
Flooring Options to Avoid in Homes with Pets
There are a few flooring types that are an absolute no when it comes to families with pets.
1. Carpets are easily stained and not a pet-friendly flooring option. Thick and lush carpets tend to soak in the moisture, harboring microorganisms that may compromise the indoor air quality and hygiene. Though carpets may add warmth and coziness, they tend to reek of pet urine, making it impossible for anyone to restore its original charm.
Further, cats and mutts tend to claw at or chew on carpets, making them look worn out in no time.
2. Solid hardwood flooring is easily damaged with spills and pet accidents. Further, in case of a fall, pets are easily bruised. Yet, if you must choose hardwood, go for engineered hardwood flooring. Just bear in mind that you may have to live with the compromises we spoke about earlier or work extra hard to maintain them.
Summing Up
Flooring is a critical aspect of home decor that affects the comfort and wellbeing of all the family members, including your furry companions. Therefore, when making a flooring decision, it’s critical to determine a surfacing option that not just matches your lifestyle but also makes life easy for your pets.
Use the flooring tips shared in this post to convert your home into a ‘pawsome’ living space for your pet pals.
