If you’ve got a pet that sheds a good amount of hair or cats who like to scratch carpets and pull out the threads and you’re looking for new flooring, then it’s likely you’re looking for pet-proof flooring options.

As you’d imagine, certain types of flooring, like thick carpets, aren’t ideal for households with heavy-shedding pets or ones with claws.

In addition, when pets have accidents in the home, it’s important to consider how easily your chosen flooring is going to stain.

Simply put, your pet-proof flooring options are generally going to be either LVT, laminate or vinyl.

In this article, we’ll take you through the pros and cons of these flooring types, and why they might be ideal for your home when you own pets.

LVT Flooring

One of the first options for your pet-proof flooring is LVT, which stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile.

LVT is a type of flooring made up of layers of material, mostly consisting of PVC. This makes it the thickest flooring type, compared to laminate and vinyl.

Luxury Vinyl Tile, as the name suggests, comes in planks or tiles and is made to look like either wood or stone. 

Pet-Proof LVT Flooring

This is one of the best types of pet-proof flooring, as it is easy to clean and maintain, and it doesn’t stain easily.

In addition, due to its composition, LVT flooring is well-cushioned and comfortable underfoot. This also helps it stay scratch-resistant, so if your pets are partial to some indoor digging, you’ll have peace of mind that your flooring is less likely to be affected.

It’s important to note that LVT is more expensive than other types of flooring like vinyl, but it could prove a good investment, as it’s generally more durable and softer underfoot.

Laminate Flooring for Pet Owners

Another good option if you’re looking for pet-proof flooring in your home is laminate.

Laminate is slightly thinner than LVT flooring but still consists of several layers, and it’s made up of synthetic material. A realistic image of wood or stone is printed on the top, helping it look like the real thing.

The Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring if You Have Pets

There are several pros of laminate flooring, especially in terms of being pet-proof.

Firstly, this type of flooring is low-maintenance, meaning that it’s easy to keep it clean regardless of what’s been spilled or dropped on it. Therefore, it’s straightforward to sweep or vacuum to get your pet’s hairs off to keep your floors looking clean and new.

Secondly, laminate flooring is very durable, meaning that it’ll be able to withstand the scratching and walking of paws and claws for longer than other types of flooring like vinyl.

However, there are a few cons when it comes to getting laminate flooring, especially in a household with pets.

Unfortunately, while laminate flooring is water resistant, it’s not fully waterproof, so it’s important that if anything spills or if there are any accidents on your floor, they’re dealt with quickly. This also means that it’s not advisable to wet-mop your laminate flooring.

So, whether or not laminate is for you fully depends on what you’re looking for from your pet-proof flooring.

Vinyl Flooring

Similarly to laminate and LVT flooring, vinyl is made up of a few different materials put together in layers.

While LVT flooring comes in tiles or planks, vinyl often comes in the form of a big sheet of material. This makes it overall easier to install, and it helps with waterproofing.

Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of vinyl as a pet-proof choice of flooring.

Vinyl Flooring with Pets

As we mentioned above, vinyl is one of the most waterproof types of flooring, compared to LVT and laminate. This makes it ideal if your household is quite busy and prone to accidents and spillages, which can be the case in households with pets.

Another pro of vinyl flooring is that, in comparison with the other two options, it is generally the cheapest, both to buy and install. Therefore, if you’re on a budget, vinyl could be the way to go, as it’s usually less expensive per square metre.

However, vinyl isn’t quite as durable as the other types of flooring, as it’s not quite as thick. This means that it’s not the best to put heavy things on - such as pet cages or crates - as this could even cause permanent indents in the floor.

Also, if you’ve got pets who are prone to scratching the floor, vinyl might not be the best choice, for this exact reason.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to weigh up your priorities in terms of cost versus lifespan and durability, before deciding to go with vinyl as your pet-proof flooring of choice.

Wall2Wall Carpets and Flooring Can Help

Whether you’ve made the decision as to which pet-proof flooring option you want, or if you’re still figuring it out, at Wall2Wall Carpets and Flooring, we’re here to help.

We have a wide range of LVT, laminate and vinyl flooring available, in lots of different styles and patterns, from parquet to herringbone and more.

In addition, our friendly and expert team are here to help make your decision easier. We aim to try and understand your requirements and your household, and based on this, we can recommend you different products and steer you in the right direction.

We all know how difficult it can be to keep your floors looking clean and brand new, especially when you have pets, which is why we want to help you find a flooring solution that fits your life and cleaning routine.

You should still be able to feel house-proud and happy in your home environment - and we can help with that, with our range of easy-to-maintain and stylish flooring.

So, if you’re looking for LVT, laminate, vinyl, or some other type of flooring, get in touch with Wall2Wall Carpets and Flooring today.