The Best Flooring Options for Dogs: A Complete Guide

There’s no way around it, even though you love your dog, you probably don’t love the havoc they can wreak on your flooring. Between accidents, dog hair, and nails, even the most attentive dog owners can’t help the fact that they cause additional wear and tear on flooring. When you’re deciding between types of flooring and want to make sure your furry friend will cause as little damage as possible, choosing the best flooring for dogs can make life easier on everyone.

1. Vinyl 

If you grew up between the ‘70s and ‘90s, vinyl flooring probably evokes images of rolls of flexible flooring that was installed in sheets, but todays’ vinyl flooring is a far cry from the fake tile patterns that were so popular at the time. Modern vinyl flooring is still sold in sheets in some cases, but it’s now available in planks and tiles that are highly durable and water resistant and can mimic the look of wood or traditional tile. 

Thanks to this water and stain resistance, vinyl can stand up to wear and tear fro myour four-legged friend. And it’s comfortable to walk on for people and pets. 

Pros

• Affordable

• Water resistant

• Stain resistant

• Easy to care for and maintain

• Available in a wide range of styles that can mimic hardwood or tile 

• Comfortable to walk on

Cons

• Can become dull if the protective coating is thin

• Lower return on investment than hardwood or tile

• Less scratch resistant than other materials

2. Laminate

Laminate flooring was invented in the 1970s and is made to mimic the look of hardwood floors. It consists of a wood fiber and resin core backed with a sturdy layer of melamine. It’s topped with an image layer that looks like wood and a wear layer to protect the image layer. This is an inexpensive flooring that you can clean easily, so it makes great flooring for dogs. If your dog makes a mess, you can wipe it up quickly, and if the flooring needs to be replacing down the road, it won’t break the bank.

Pros

• Affordable

• Mimics the look of wood

• Durable

• Available with extra scratch or water resistance

• Easy to maintain

Cons

• Not as water resistant as other materials, especially if there are scratches that reach the core or it seeps through the seams

• More slippery than other materials 

• Can’t be refinished

3. Tile

Tile is a timeless floor covering that comes in a variety of materials, namely ceramic, stone, and porcelain. Depending on the material and installation, it requires more maintenance than other materials, but its looks and durability can make up for the extra work. This easy to clean flooring it great for dogs—though they may find it a little colder than other materials. If you seal it, it will resist stains and water, keeping it looking great for years.

Pros

• Scratch resistant

• Water resistant (though you may need to seal it)

• Endearing style

• Easy to clean

Cons

• Cost to install tile flooring can be more expensive than other options

• Can require more maintenance than other options (sealing, regrouting, etc.)

• Hard surface that can be cold

• Can be noisy

4. Engineered Hardwood

Photo: Emilija Manevska / Moment / Getty Images

If you’re looking for a hybrid of laminate and hardwood flooring, then engineered hardwood is the way to go. Like laminate flooring, the bulk of the flooring is the core, though in this case, it’s made out of plywood. A thin layer of hardwood covers the core and captures the look of wood flooring at a lower cost than hardwood. 

You can refinish some types of engineered hardwood, so it’s a good option if your dogs create lots of wear and tear by running and playing on the flooring.

Pros

• Captures the look of hardwood at a lower price

• Can be scratch and water resistant

• May have a better return on investment than laminate or vinyl

Cons

• More expensive than other pet-friendly flooring options

• Not as water or scratch resistant as other materials

• May not be able to be refinished like true hardwood floors

5. Bamboo

Bamboo flooring is made from bamboo stalks that have been cut and compressed together. This beautiful material is popular in modern and Scandinavian designs. This environmentally-friendly option is great for dogs, mostly because it retains heat. Imagine how happy your pup will be laying on a warm floor during the winter months.

Pros

• Environmentally friendly

• Easy to maintain

• Dent resistant

• Available in water resistant and stain resistant options

• Retains heat for added warmth in the winter

Cons

• More difficult to refinish than hardwood floors

• Not as stain or water resistant as other materials

• There’s no standard grading system, so there’s no guarantee of quality

• Can be more expensive than other materials

6. Cork

Cork is a unique flooring material that isn’t as popular as laminate or hardwood, but it can still be one of the best flooring options for pets. Made from the bark of a cork tree, it offers unique benefits to pet owners. Softer than hardwood, cork floors can be more comfortable for pets to walk and lay on—and it’s more comfortable for you when you end up on the floor for play time.

Pros

• Naturally anti-allergenic and mold and rot resistant

• Easy to maintain

• Softer than hardwood

• Sustainable 

• Absorbs sound better than other materials

Cons

• Not as water resistant than other materials

• May dent under heavy furniture

• Not as scratch resistant as other materials.

Flooring Types to Avoid If You Have Pets

If you have pets, you know how much wear and tear your floor endures. Some options are less accommodating to pets than others and may need to be avoided if you’re looking for dog-proof flooring. 

Carpet 

Carpet is a comfortable and relatively affordable flooring option, but it collects pet hair and dander and will need frequent vacuuming if you have a pet. Carpet can also stain in the face of accidents or muddy paws, and any accidents can soak through to the under layers, leaving a lingering scent.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is a beautiful flooring option, but it may not be the best flooring for pets. Common problems with hardwood floors include being prone to scratches and not being as water resistant as other options like vinyl or tile flooring. A benefit is that you can reseal or refinish it if it becomes too worn, though you’ll have to factor the cost of refinishing hardwood floors into your decision.

What to Consider When Selecting Dog-Friendly Flooring

Choosing the best dog-friendly flooring means taking into consideration a number of factors and how they will affect the care and maintenance of the flooring. Your local flooring installation professional may even have some insights about what will work best for you.

Photo: Maryna Terletska / Moment / Getty Images

Scratch Resistance

Playing, running, and jumping may be fun for your dog, but it can be damaging to your floor. That’s why choosing scratch-resistant flooring can make play time more fun for both of you.

Water Resistance

Even the most well-trained dogs can have an accident, or they may just drip water when they take a drink. Either way, water-resistant flooring can give you the time you need to spot the mess and clean it up without leaving lasting damage to the floor.

Maintenance

Flooring that is easy to maintain and doesn’t require specialized cleaning products or techniques can make owning a dog and keeping your home beautiful much easier.

Cost

The cost of the flooring you choose is totally dependent on your budget. If you can spring for high-end and low-maintenance flooring, that’s great. If not, choosing a lower cost but still durable flooring is a great option.

Comfort 

You want the flooring to be comfortable for your dog to walk and lay on, so pay attention to how slippery or hard the flooring is when choosing the best option for your best friend. 

Matt Marandola contributed to this piece.