Your pet is a part of your family, and your house is just as much their house as it is your house. However, your cat or dog’s claws, toys, and …“bathroom habits” … are definitely something to consider when deciding on a flooring option. The biggest decision when adding flooring to your RI or MA home is whether you should get hardwood, tile or carpet. There are pros and cons to each, but you simply need to decide what is best for you and your pet.

Hardwood: Pros and Cons

Hardwood floors are a beautiful, popular option for flooring. They are durable and add instant value to any home. However, it is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages to adding hardwood to a house with a pet.

The Pros:

• • Graining hides scratches: Woods with strong graining actually hide scratches! The same can be said for flooring with a satin or matte finish (rather than a glossy finish). So if you go with a hardwood with strong graining like Red Oak, you can have the hardwood floors you love without noticing every nick and scratch from your cat or dog’s claws.

• Easy clean up: If you have a long-haired dog or cat that sheds a lot, wood floors are a great option because the hair is easy to sweep up.

The Cons:

• Water and wood don’t mix: If your fur-baby is not potty trained, their accidents can have lasting damage on wood floors. Even if pet urine is cleaned up immediately, it can sink into wood floors. Wood flooring that has endured frequent accidents also retains the smell of pet urine, even after it is cleaned up. Water bowls can also harm a wood floor if your pet is a messy drinker.
  • However! Stronger protective coatings and using harder wood like eco-friendly Bamboo can protect against these issues.

Carpeting with Pets: Pros and Cons

Carpets are a lush and inviting way to floor your home. It’s also probably the most cost-effective flooring option. Unfortunately, the drawbacks for carpeting in a pet-friendly home far outweigh any benefit.

The Pros:

• No scratches: Your pet’s claws and toys won’t scratch carpet. But…

The Cons:

• • Lots of snags: Many carpet options have small loops, which can snag on a pet’s nails. This can increase wear-and-tear.

• Smells stick around: This one is obvious—because of carpet’s porous nature, it soaks up the stains and smells from your pet’s potty-training days. Over time, carpets retain the smell of pet urine and will need to be replaced more quickly than any other option.

Tile: Pros and Cons

Tile is a durable, sophisticated option for your floors. It resists wear and tear and is easy to replace one or two tiles if there is damage. Because of its hardiness, tile is a great option for a pet-friendly home.

Pros:

• • The sweep life: Like wood floors, tile floors are easy to sweep if your pet sheds.

• • No stains in sight: Tile is stain and water resistant, and it is easy to clean up any spills or accidents from your pet.

• Lookin’ good: You can find tile that looks like wood, getting the best of both options—the beauty of wood floors and the hardiness of tile!

Cons:

• Not great for senior pups: Pets usually don’t like tile floor because it’s hard and uncomfortable. They can also slip around on it.

The Best Flooring For Your Best Friend

Depending on you and your pet’s needs, the type of flooring you may want in your home can vary. If your pet doesn’t shed and is impeccably potty-trained, then carpet may be a viable choice for you.

With a puppy or longhair cat or dog, tile is easiest to clean up their hair and messes. More durable wood floors are also a good option, if your pet doesn’t have too many accidents.

But don’t worry, no matter what your needs are there is a great flooring option for you and your four-legged best friend. If you need some more help or want to see some options, don’t hesitate to come by our storeroom or give us a call!