Flooring for older dogs

The needs of an older dog are different to that of a puppy – here we look at the best flooring for older dogs.

Difficulties facing older dogs

Just as an elderly human has difficulties brought about through old age, so do our four legged friends. The most prevalent of these challenges are:

Arthritis in senior dogs

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the joints. The connective cartilage will degenerate through loss of lubrication, resulting in bones rubbing against each other causing swelling and pain. Signs to look out for include reduced activity or reluctance to play, difficulty in getting up after a period of rest, lameness, hesitation in climbing stairs or onto furniture, and audible signs of pain such as whimpering.

Age-related incontinence

As a dog ages, bladder muscles weaken causing loss of bladder control and, while this is seen in dogs, it is more widely seen in bitches who have birthed a litter. A decline in cognitive function in older age can also mean that fundamental skills are forgotten, such as house training. Look for wet patches on bedding, skin irritation, dribbling urine and dampness at the back end.

Kidney issues

As kidneys age, they suffer loss of function, which can manifest in loss of bladder control and incontinence, and vomiting.

Ligament and disc deterioration

Ageing ligaments are susceptible to tearing and if a cruciate ligament tears in the knee, an older dog will experience stability problems. If two knees are affected, for example in the back legs, serious weakness will occur leading to lameness and falls.

How pet owners can help older dogs

In addition to ensuring older dogs are checked regularly by a vet, the main way a pet owner can make life easier in the home is by managing floor surfaces that the dog comes into contact with, choosing a pet-friendly flooring option wherever possible.

Features of pet-friendly flooring from Floors For Paws

At Floors For Paws, our Pawsafe Domestic range is pet-friendly and pet owner friendly, offering the following benefits:

  • Dog owners will love the durability of our luxury vinyl flooring; hardwearing and scratch resistant, it will withstand age-related toilet mishaps, while being low maintenance and easy to clean. It is available in a choice of plank sizes and a herringbone design option, allowing owners to maintain an attractive aesthetic in their home.
  • Older dogs (and puppies!) will love the cushion comfort layer of our Pawsafe Domestic range that is gentle on ageing joints, and they will appreciate the anti-slip wear layer that will help prevent sliding and falls. Endorsed by CAM (Canine Arthritis Management), the flooring also features a textured surface layer to allow pets to move on it with confidence.

If you would like to discuss new flooring that will help your elderly dogs in their later life, our dog-mad team is on hand to help! Simply call us on 01937 830948 or email us at info@floorsforpaws.com Or, if you would like to try before you buy, why not order up to three free samples (or more for an extra charge) to see for yourself.

Best pet-friendly flooring

Welcoming a furry friend into your home is a joyous occasion, but it also comes with unique considerations, especially when it comes to your flooring choices. As pet lovers ourselves, we understand the importance of finding durable, pet-friendly flooring options that can withstand the wear and tear caused by paws, claws, and occasional accidents. In this blog article, Floors for Paws Ltd. is delighted to present a comprehensive guide to help you make the best flooring decisions for your pet-friendly home. So, what are the key factors to consider when selecting pet-friendly flooring?

  • Durability: To withstand scratches and wear.
  • Moisture Resistance: To resist accidents and spills.
  • Sound Absorption: to reduce noise caused by pet movements.
  • Hygiene and Cleanliness: Choices that are easy to clean and maintain.

Top Pet-Friendly Flooring Options:

a) Tile Flooring:
Tiled flooring is a popular option for homes with dogs due to its durability, moisture resistance, and ease of cleaning tile floors. You do need to bear in mind however that dog wee can affect grout in between tiles and lead to discolouration and decay over time.

b) Laminate Flooring:
Laminate flooring is another popular option due to scratch resistance and affordability. It is important to note though that laminate can be slippery for dogs and because it is not secured to the sub-floor it can be very loud under paw. It can also be prone to warping from spilled water bowls and pet wee.

c) Engineered Hardwood:
Engineered hardwood has good durability and resistance to moisture, however it is not immune to scratching from pet claws so it is important to check with the manufacturer prior to purchase if it is guaranteed against pet claws.

d) Luxury Vinyl Flooring:
Luxury vinyl flooring, has excellent scratch resistance, waterproof properties, and realistic designs and can offer you a maintenance free floor for many years.
Floors for paws has all the benefits of luxury vinyl flooring as well as an enhanced slip-rating to ensure your pets benefit as well as you.
The Floors for paws PawSafe ranges are endorsed by Dr Hannah Capon and Canine arthritis management due to its high slip-ratings and cushioned backing making it the best flooring for dogs and dog owners.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right flooring for your pet-friendly home is crucial for maintaining a beautiful, safe, and pet-friendly environment. With this comprehensive guide by Floors for Paws Ltd., you can confidently select the flooring option that best suits your lifestyle and keeps your pets happy. Remember, a pet-friendly floor is a pawfect foundation for a harmonious home where both you and your furry companion can thrive.

At Floors For Paws, we offer three ranges of vinyl flooring. Our luxury vinyl range is available as planks or tiles and is perfect for anywhere in the home, our Pawsafe Domestic range is ideal for creating the look of a traditional herringbone solid wood floor in any room, and our Pawsafe Commercial range, available as vinyl sheeting is hardwearing enough for high traffic commercial premises such as veterinary clinics and doggy day care.

If you have any other questions not covered here, our friendly sales team is waiting to help. Simply call us on 01522 300218 or email us at info@floorsforpaws.com

Questions to ask about vinyl flooring

Customers always have lots of questions – these are the ones we are asked the most at Floors For Paws.

When making the decision to invest in new vinyl flooring for your home or business premises, it is only natural to ask lots of questions before making such a considered purchase. Here, we have put together some of the most frequently asked questions to help you.

What is vinyl flooring?

Vinyl flooring is a synthetic flooring solution made up of several layers with the uppermost surface giving the flooring its final look. Vinyl flooring can be manufactured to resemble natural stone, real wood and ceramic tiles. It can have a textured surface, and is often backed with plastic or felt.

How do you buy vinyl flooring?

Vinyl flooring can be bought by length (usually in metres) off the roll, exactly like carpet. Alternatively, it can be supplied as tiles or planks which can be pieced together to create patterns, some of which can replicate the traditional patterns found in solid wood flooring.

How to lay vinyl flooring

This is not something we would recommend, especially for the novice DIY-er to attempt, as vinyl flooring requires experienced fitters. At Floor For Paws, we work with a network or professional fitters who can install your new floor for you. When you have a Floors For Paws vinyl floor installed by one of our approved contractors, we offer a 30-year domestic guarantee or a 10-year commercial guarantee. However, for those who would like to lay their flooring themselves, it is important to know how to prepare your sub-floor correctly.

What to put under vinyl flooring

Sheet vinyl and vinyl flooring that is installed using the glue down method, require no underlay, as the flooring is bonded directly onto the sub-floor. However, in these cases it is imperative that the sub-floor is correctly prepared with flooring grade plywood or smoothing compound.

Is vinyl flooring waterproof?

Vinyl flooring is waterproof. However, where vinyl flooring is installed as planks or tiles with numerous joins, it may be less waterproof than vinyl sheet flooring, if it has not been installed by a qualified contractor. Our guide to the best waterproof flooring for pets examines the difference between waterproof and water resistance. 

How to clean vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring is relatively low maintenance, requiring little more than regular sweeping and mopping, although all spillages should be dealt with immediately. For areas of heavy traffic, a deeper clean can be carried out to maintain the appearance of the vinyl and to prevent it from becoming dull and tired.

What’s the difference between vinyl flooring and luxury vinyl flooring?

Vinyl flooring is supplied by length in rolls and can be laid with the minimum of seams or joins, depending on the area to be covered. Available in a choice of colours, patterns and designs, vinyl flooring should be professionally installed. Any repairs that become necessary might lead to the whole floor being replaced.

Luxury vinyl flooring, often referred to as LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) is available in tile or plank shapes, allowing the creation of different patterns and designs. LVT flooring is often finished in a choice of hardwood-, stone-, or ceramic-effects. Repairs can be carried out by simply replacing the affected sections.

Is vinyl flooring pet friendly?

Vinyl flooring from Floor For Paws is extremely pet-friendly and all our ranges have been endorsed by CAM (Canine Arthritis Management). Non-slip, and therefore kinder on older joints and young, under-developed bones, our vinyl flooring features a soft upper layer that is more comfortable for our four legged friends to lie on.

Vinyl flooring from Floors For Paws

At Floors For Paws, we offer three ranges of vinyl flooring. Our luxury vinyl range is available as planks or tiles and is perfect for anywhere in the home, our Pawsafe Domestic range is ideal for creating the look of a traditional herringbone solid wood floor in any room, and our Pawsafe Commercial range, available as vinyl sheeting is hardwearing enough for high traffic commercial premises such as veterinary clinics and doggy day care.

If you have any other questions not covered here, our friendly sales team is waiting to help. Simply call us on 01522 300218 or email us at info@floorsforpaws.com