About 63% of all households have a pet but they can be tough on your home’s floors. If you have a pet and are thinking of getting new floors you may want to take into account a pet-friendly flooring option that will make both you and your pet happy.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is a popular option for families with pets because they are highly durable and long-lasting and resistant to moisture scratches and dents and they are easy to maintain. Vinyl floors also soften the sound of your pet’s nails and loud toys when they walk across the floor.

Laminate

Laminate is also an excellent choice if you have pets especially dogs. Laminate is easy to clean for any of those unwanted spills of puddles left behind by your pooch. Laminate floor is also resistant to scratching that could be caused by your pet’s nails.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring and pets didn’t always go hand in hand. Hardwood typically isn’t made to protect against spills and puddles as the board can stain or warp from moisture. Also, most hardwood flooring can scratch easily making it bad for pet’s nails and toys. But new hardwood flooring with durable finish can allow you to have the hardwood floors you want without having to worry about your furry friends ruining them. You can also opt for a rustic of distress look or a lower gloss level to help hide signs of imperfections.

When it comes to pets and flooring it’s important to take the necessary steps to help protect your floors from pet wear & tear. Here are some tips to keep your floors & tip top shape no matter what your pets habits.

• Keep your pet’s nails short and smooth to avoid scratching
• Keep dog toys outside or in an isolated area of your home.
• Make sure dog & pet food and water is kept in a place you can easily clean. Clean any water or food spillage right away to prevent stains and other damages
•  Use mats at the doorstep to help remove any dirt from being tracked in the house by your pets.

Pets are an important part of many families which is why it is also important to take them into account when refinishing or installing new floors.