Floors for paws® as recommended by Kirsty Gallacher

Creating a beautiful home that also works for dogs can be difficult

Smooth laminate, polished tiles and traditional vinyl may look attractive, but many dogs struggle to gain secure footing on them. That is why we were delighted when broadcaster and animal advocate Kirsty Gallacher chose to trial flooring from Floors for Paws. After experiencing PawSafe flooring in her own home, Kirsty shared the following recommendation:

“Trialling @floors_for_paws flooring and wow! So comfortable under foot — and paw — and looks fabulous. Vet endorsed and perfect not just for comfort but also for dogs with joint issues.”
Kirsty Gallacher

For us, this recommendation is particularly meaningful because Kirsty is not simply a well-known broadcaster. She is also a committed dog owner and a prominent supporter of animal welfare

Kirsty Gallacher: broadcaster, dog owner and animal advocate

Kirsty Gallacher has enjoyed a long career in television and radio, but animals have also played an important part in her life.
She owns Bertie, a French Bulldog, and Frank, a rescue Cocker Spaniel. In a recent appearance on the Oh My Dog! podcast, Kirsty discussed her dogs, animal activism and her support for rescue charities.

Her commitment to animal welfare extends beyond her own pets. Kirsty has supported campaigns relating to rescue animals, animal testing and wider welfare issues. Her professional profile describes her as an outspoken animal-welfare advocate who has supported organisations including Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Born Free and Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home.
She has also worked with Animal Free Research UK, including appearing in a campaign photographed by Rankin calling for alternatives to animal experiments.

In her own words, Kirsty has described herself as a committed animal advocate and has previously supported campaigns concerning fur, live exports and cages used in farming.
Her recommendation therefore comes from someone who genuinely cares about the comfort, welfare and everyday lives of animals.

Why Kirsty Gallacher chose Floors for paws®

Kirsty’s feedback highlighted three of the qualities that matter most when choosing flooring for a dog-friendly home:

• Comfort underfoot and under paw
• An attractive residential appearance
• Support for dogs experiencing joint or mobility problems

These are exactly the principles behind our PawSafe flooring range.
Dogs interact with flooring differently from people. Humans wear shoes and can often compensate for a smooth surface. Dogs rely on the contact between their paw pads, claws and the floor beneath them.
When a floor does not provide sufficient traction, a dog may slip when walking, turning, standing up or running through the home. Some dogs begin moving cautiously, spreading their legs for stability or avoiding particular areas altogether.
A genuinely dog-friendly floor should therefore do more than resist scratches and wipe clean easily. It should help dogs feel stable and confident as they move around their home.

What makes PawSafe flooring different?

PawSafe flooring was created specifically for homes where dogs are part of the family.
Unlike conventional flooring chosen primarily for its appearance, PawSafe brings together practical household performance with features intended to support canine movement and comfort.

Excellent slip resistance

Grip is one of the most important considerations when choosing flooring for dogs.
Young, energetic dogs need secure footing when playing and turning. Older dogs may need more support when standing up or walking through the home. Dogs recovering from surgery or living with arthritis, hip dysplasia or luxating patellas may also find smooth flooring particularly challenging. PawSafe is designed to provide considerably more traction than many standard smooth residential floors.

Comfortable underfoot and under paw

Kirsty specifically commented on how comfortable the flooring felt.
PawSafe Domestic incorporates a softer backing than many rigid flooring products. This creates a warmer, quieter and more forgiving feel beneath both human feet and canine paws.
It still provides the appearance of a premium residential plank floor without the hard, hollow sensation associated with some laminate and click systems.

Water-resistant and easy to clean

Dog-friendly homes need floors that cope with real life.
That includes:
• Wet paws
• Mud
• Food and water spills
• Puppy toilet-training accidents
• Occasional incontinence
• Everyday cleaning

PawSafe flooring is water-resistant and easy to maintain, making it suitable for busy households with one dog or several.Correct installation remains important, particularly around edges, doorways and transitions. The surface itself will not absorb water in the way carpet, laminate cores or natural wood can.

Resistant to dog claws

No flooring is completely indestructible, but PawSafe is manufactured for demanding dog-owning environments.
Its durable surface is designed to withstand normal claw traffic and everyday household use. Regular claw trimming and sensible maintenance will always help preserve the appearance of any floor.

Designed for real homes

Practical flooring does not have to make a home feel clinical. PawSafe Domestic is available in realistic wood-effect finishes, allowing dog owners to create a stylish living room, kitchen, hallway or open-plan area without compromising their dog’s footing.
As Kirsty said, it “looks fabulous” while still delivering the practical benefits that dog owners need.

Why flooring matters for dogs with joint problems

Dogs with joint or mobility conditions can find slippery flooring especially difficult. When a dog loses traction, the muscles and joints may have to work harder to stabilise the body. A dog may also change its natural movement pattern because it does not trust the surface beneath it.

Owners may notice their dog:
• Hesitating before entering a room
• Refusing to walk across laminate or tiles
• Scrambling when standing up
• Sliding when turning
• Walking close to walls or furniture
• Moving with an unusually wide stance
• Avoiding play indoors
• Appearing nervous on particular surfaces

Replacing slippery flooring cannot diagnose or treat a medical condition, and any concerns about pain or mobility should be discussed with a veterinary professional. However, improving grip within the home can remove an unnecessary environmental challenge.
A safer floor can form part of a wider support plan alongside veterinary care, weight management, appropriate exercise and suitable resting areas.
Suitable for young and active dogs too:Dog-friendly flooring is not only for older dogs or dogs with diagnosed conditions.
Puppies and young dogs frequently run, jump, change direction and chase toys through the home. Their enthusiasm often exceeds their coordination. Providing secure footing from an early age can help them explore and play more confidently. Waterproof performance is also valuable during toilet training, when accidents are an unavoidable part of life.
For active breeds, PawSafe offers a practical balance between traction, durability and easy cleaning.

Vet-endorsed dog-friendly flooring

Floors for Paws has worked closely with canine health professionals because we believe flooring should be considered part of a dog’s everyday environment.
Our flooring is endorsed by canine arthritis and mobility specialists who recognise the difficulties dogs can experience on smooth household surfaces. That professional support, combined with recommendations from dog owners such as Kirsty Gallacher, reinforces our belief that choosing the right floor can make a meaningful difference to life at home.

PawSafe Domestic

PawSafe Domestic is normally our recommendation for living rooms, kitchens, hallways and open-plan residential spaces.

It offers:
• Excellent slip resistance
• A softer and more comfortable feel
• Waterproof performance
• Strong resistance to everyday claw traffic
• Realistic wood-effect finishes
• A 30-year residential product guarantee

It is professionally bonded to a correctly prepared subfloor, creating a stable floor without the movement associated with floating laminate or click flooring.

Can PawSafe be fitted over an existing floor?

That depends on the existing surface and the condition of the subfloor beneath it.
PawSafe is a glue-down flooring system, so the base needs to be:
• Secure
• Smooth
• Dry
• Sound
• Free from movement
• Properly prepared

Carpet and floating laminate normally need to be removed. Concrete floors often require primer and smoothing compound. Timber floors may require flooring-grade plywood or another suitable preparation system.
Proper preparation is essential. Even the highest-quality flooring cannot perform correctly when installed over a moving, uneven or contaminated base.

Our approved installers can assess the existing floor and recommend the correct preparation method.
A recommendation we are proud to receive

Celebrity recommendations only matter when they are authentic.
Kirsty Gallacher is a genuine dog owner whose animals are an important part of her family. She has repeatedly used her public platform to support rescue, welfare and animal-protection causes.That is why we are so pleased that her experience of Floors for Paws was such a positive one. Her words capture exactly what we set out to achieve:
Comfortable under foot and paw, beautiful enough for the home, and created with dogs’ wellbeing in mind.

Discover Floors for Paws

Every dog deserves to move confidently within its own home.
Whether you have an energetic puppy, a rescue dog learning to trust its surroundings, or an older companion who needs extra support, the floor beneath their paws matters.

Floors for Paws offers specialist dog-friendly flooring that combines:
• Outstanding traction
• Waterproof practicality
• Durable performance
• Residential style
• Canine comfort

Request complimentary samples today and discover why PawSafe flooring is recommended by dog owners, canine professionals and animal advocate Kirsty Gallacher.

Frequently asked questions

Does Kirsty Gallacher recommend Floors for Paws?
Yes. After trialling Floors for Paws flooring, Kirsty described it as comfortable underfoot and under paw, fabulous in appearance, vet endorsed and suitable for dogs with joint issues.
What dogs does Kirsty Gallacher own?
Kirsty Gallacher has spoken publicly about Bertie, her French Bulldog, and Frank, her rescue Cocker Spaniel.
Is Floors for Paws suitable for dogs with joint problems?
PawSafe provides greater traction than many smooth household floors, which may help dogs move more securely. Flooring does not treat joint disease, so owners should seek veterinary advice regarding any mobility or pain concerns.
Is PawSafe flooring waterp-resistant?
Yes. Both PawSafe Domestic and PawSafe Commercial are waterproof flooring products when correctly installed. Appropriate subfloor preparation, adhesive and edge detailing remain important.
Is PawSafe suitable for puppies?
Yes. Its grip, waterproof surface and ease of cleaning make it particularly practical for young dogs and households managing toilet-training accidents.
Can Floors for Paws arrange installation?
Yes. Installation can be arranged through the Floors for Paws approved installer network, subject to location and availability.