What is the Best Floor for Dogs?

Dog owners naturally have many concerns when it comes to flooring. While hardwood flooring does not trap hair, many homeowners are nonetheless concerned about urine stains or toenail damage. Fortunately, it is still possible to enjoy the look of a wood floor, even if you own one or more large dogs.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate hardwood is one of the most pet-friendly flooring types. This flooring contains a scratch-resistant coating that also makes it slightly waterproof to eliminate urine damage. Laminate wood consists of several layers that are fused tightly together during the manufacturing process to provided added durability. As a result, you’ll find that laminated hardwood floors can withstand a great deal of wear and tear, making them ideal for households with multiple dogs or very large breeds.

Bamboo

While technically a grass and not a wood, bamboo can nonetheless provide your floors with a similar appearance. Bamboo strands are interwoven and combined with hard resins, making planks exceptionally durable. Some bamboo flooring will have a rating of 5,000 or more on the Janka hardness test, a score that is much higher than traditional hardwood. This means your bamboo floor will be able to withstand rough play with barely a nick or scratch to show for it. Bamboo is also more waterproof than wood, which means that pet accidents are less likely to harm it.

Natural Hardwood Choices

If none of these other color choices sound interesting, you can still go with traditional hardwood if you are willing to keep a few things in mind. For starters, you should choose a very hard species of wood such as Brazilian walnut, hickory, ash, or beech whenever possible. Avoid soft woods such as yellow birch, white pine, or black walnut. Basketball courts are often made from sugar maple, species which are typically found in the northern 1/3 of the United States. Either of these choices would be perfect for households with dogs, because they have been proven to withstand repeated wear and tear.

Just because you choose one of these flooring types does not mean you shouldn’t be diligent about maintenance. Keep your pet’s nails neatly trimmed, and use mats underneath food and water bowls to prevent spillage. Doing these things will allow your floor to look newer for longer, regardless of which one you ultimately decide on.