At Floors for Paws, we know that our customers all want the best for their pets but when it comes to our homes, what is the best flooring for dogs? Here, we look at which flooring is good for our four legged friends.

When it comes to our homes, we are spoiled for choice – do we want carpet, or ceramic tiles, or laminate or vinyl? But which of these is good flooring for dogs and are we confusing Pet-proof or pet-friendly and what’s the difference?

Ceramic tiles

Arguably a fine-looking flooring solution and practical in terms of maintenance and cleaning, ceramic tiles are cold underfoot and underpaw. Unyielding too, ceramic tiles are hard and uncomfortable to lie on and will cause pain in older, arthritic joints. The smooth finish of ceramic tiles also represents a huge slip hazard to dogs and humans. For young, gangly pups trying to find their feet, and senior dogs trying to maintain their stability, ceramic tiles are hard to navigate safely and pose a serious risk to our pets.

Laminate flooring and solid wood floors

Representing a comparable slip hazard to ceramic tiles for our pets, solid wood floors and laminate flooring have a further disadvantage for pet owners – their reaction to liquid spills. The wood content in laminate floors (its core consists of compressed wood fibres) means it can never be classed as waterproof and, when exposed to excess liquids, will buckle and warp. Similarly, solid wood floors can cause slips and are uncomfortable, and can become seriously discoloured through continuous exposure to moisture.

Carpet

Carpet is lovely for our pets – it’s comfortable to lie on and warm – and nothing beats the feel of a deep pile carpet underfoot for us. Sadly though, we rarely walk barefoot outdoors, unlike our pets, and transfer from their paws can include dirt, mites, pollen and much worse! This unwelcome matter gathers in the carpet pile and can be difficult to clean away effectively. Add to this the sponge effect of carpet when it comes into contact with liquid (think toilet training pups and incontinent senior dogs) and you can see that while carpet is a kind solution to pets, it is not ideal for pet owners.

So, does the elusive solution exist that is not only a dog friendly flooring but that will tick all the boxes for pet owners? At Floors for Paws, we believe it does!

Luxury vinyl flooring from Floor for Paws

At Floors for Paws, we offer three ranges of vinyl flooring, which are all pet friendly and which will keep pet owners very happy too!

The Pawsafe ranges from Floors for Paws

Developed in conjunction with Canine Arthritis Management (CAM), our Pawsafe Domestic range is ideal for any room in the house. Offered as planks or tiles, the range comes in both wood- and stone-effect finishes in a wide choice of colourways. The textured surface layer makes this the best non-slip flooring for dogs as it has the highest slip rating of any vinyl flooring in today’s market and a comfort layer means that older dogs will be able to lie down on it comfortably. Pet owners love this range too as it is scratch resistant, waterproof and easy to maintain, while its great aesthetic will suit any interior.

The Pawsafe Commercial range from Floors for Paws has also been developed alongside the expert veterinarians at CAM. With the same brilliant features and benefits of the Pawsafe Domestic range, the Pawsafe Commercial range is offered as sheet vinyl on the roll. With hardly any joins, depending on the area to be covered, this is a completely waterproof flooring that is hardwearing enough to cope with the high traffic of commercial premises.

Luxury vinyl flooring from Floors for Paws

Our luxury vinyl range offers pet owners a wide choice between wood-effect finishes (great for creating traditional herringbone designs) and a stone-effect look (great for those who want the aesthetic of a ceramic floor).

To find out more about the best flooring for dogs (and their owners!), get in touch with our friendly team by email at info@floorsforpaws.com or by phone on 01522 300218.

In our latest guide, we delve into the importance of non-slip flooring for dogs and how it can make a paws-itive difference in their lives.

As pet owners, we cherish the joy and companionship our furry friends bring into our lives. From playful romps in the backyard to cozy snuggles on the couch, our dogs enrich our daily routines in countless ways. However, amid all the fun and frolic, it’s crucial to consider the safety and well-being of our canine companions, especially when it comes to their environment. One often overlooked yet critical aspect of pet safety is the flooring they walk and play on.

The Need for Safety

Dogs are known for their boundless energy and enthusiasm, but their exuberance can sometimes lead to accidents, particularly on slick or slippery surfaces. Whether it’s a hardwood floor, tile, or laminate, smooth flooring materials can pose significant hazards to dogs, especially those with mobility issues or older dogs with arthritis. Slips and falls can result in injuries ranging from minor bruises to more severe fractures or sprains, causing pain and discomfort for our beloved pets. ‘Arthritis is caused either by abnormal forces being placed through normal joints, or normal forces being placed through abnormal joints-or possibly a combination of both. Although there could be a number of reasons why a dog develops arthritis, the most prevalent cause is developmental joint disease.’*

Enhancing Stability and Security

Non-slip flooring offers a simple yet effective solution to mitigate the risk of accidents and injuries for dogs. Unlike traditional flooring materials that provide minimal traction, non-slip surfaces offer enhanced stability and grip, allowing dogs to walk, run, and play with confidence. Whether navigating indoor spaces or outdoor areas like patios or decks, dogs can move about safely without the fear of slipping or losing their footing.

Protecting Joint Health

For dogs, maintaining joint health is essential for their overall well-being and quality of life, especially as they age. Slippery surfaces can exacerbate existing joint conditions such as arthritis, leading to increased pain and discomfort. Non-slip flooring helps alleviate stress on joints by providing a stable and supportive surface for dogs to walk and stand on. By reducing the strain on their joints, non-slip flooring can contribute to improved mobility and comfort for dogs, allowing them to enjoy their golden years to the fullest.

Promoting Confidence and Independence

Beyond safety concerns, non-slip flooring also plays a crucial role in promoting dogs’ confidence and independence. Dogs thrive when they feel secure and in control of their movements, and non-slip surfaces empower them to explore their surroundings with confidence. Whether navigating stairs, jumping onto furniture, or playing fetch in the backyard, dogs can engage in activities without the fear of slipping or falling, fostering a sense of freedom and autonomy.

Choosing the Right Flooring

When selecting flooring for homes or pet-friendly spaces, it’s essential to prioritize safety and comfort for our four-legged friends. Non-slip flooring options such as rubber, cork, or textured tiles provide excellent traction and durability, making them ideal choices for pet-friendly environments. Additionally, regular maintenance and cleaning of floors can help ensure optimal traction and prevent the buildup of debris or substances that may compromise surface grip.

Pawsafe Domestic Range

Our Pawsafe Domestic range is a luxury vinyl plank flooring offering the aesthetic and choice that our customers want. Durable and scratch resistant, the luxurious cushion comfort layer is kind to old bones and sore joints, while the anti-slip wear layer will help your dog not to slip and slide. A textured surface aids traction and allows infirm dogs to move around confidently, without the fear of losing their balance. Available in a choice of plank sizes and a herringbone option, Pawsafe Domestic is low maintenance and, when professionally installed, completely waterproof with a 30-year domestic guarantee.

Best flooring for dogs from Floors for Paws

To chat through your requirements for the best flooring for older dogs, please get in touch, and our friendly sales team will be happy to help. Email us at info@floorsforpaws.com or give us a call on 01522 300218.

*What causes arthritis

As we age, we start to experience the natural aches and pains of older age, and dogs are exactly the same. Here, we look closely at the best flooring for older dogs.

Much research has been carried out into the ailments that afflict older dogs, and the overriding statistic that emerges is the prevalence of arthritis in dogs. A staggering 80% of dogs over the age of 8 will develop the condition and there are some breeds that are more susceptible such as Golden Retrievers and Springer Spaniels. Given that the RSPCA gives the average lifespan of a dog between 12-13 years, an arthritic dog may have to bear the condition for several years.

Recognising your dog is ageing

Paws For Floors has enjoyed a long collaborative working relationship with Canine Arthritis Management (CAM), focussing on developing the best flooring for dogs with arthritis (read CAM working with Floors for Paws). As well as telltale signs that your dog may be suffering from arthritis (and it is recommended that you seek a professional veterinary diagnosis to find out definitively), there are other signs to be aware of. These include increased thirst and drinking, tiring quickly and lethargy. Your older dogs may seem stiff and have difficulty getting up or laying down and they may develop a limp and find it difficult to maintain their balance.

Taking care of older dogs

Our guide to Arthritis in Dogs has lots of helpful advice and tips on how to help a dog with arthritis, with things you can implement in your home including home adaptations, exercise, and diet and nutrition. At Floor for Paws, however, our priority is always to ensure your older dog is as comfortable as possible, for as long as possible. We know your older dog will need longer periods of rest and may spend a lot of their day lying down, and we know they are likely to develop age-related incontinence and need to pee much more frequently. We also know they need to be comfortable and able to maintain their balance.

Best flooring for older dogs

The best flooring for older dogs is one that will tick all the boxes above – be comfortable to rest on, be able to cope with increased accidents, and be safe to walk on. Working with CAM, we have developed two ranges which each do just that:

Pawsafe Domestic Range 

Our Pawsafe Domestic range is a luxury vinyl plank flooring offering the aesthetic and choice that our customers want. Durable and scratch resistant, the luxurious cushion comfort layer is kind to old bones and sore joints, while the anti-slip wear layer will help your dog not to slip and slide. A textured surface aids traction and allows infirm dogs to move around confidently, without the fear of losing their balance. Available in a choice of plank sizes and a herringbone option, Pawsafe Domestic is low maintenance and, when professionally installed, completely waterproof with a 30-year domestic guarantee.

Pawsafe Commercial Range

Mindful that there are many businesses that welcome four-legged clients, customers and visitors, we have developed our Pawsafe Commercial range specifically with their needs in mind. Available in vinyl flooring rolls, the range has the highest slip rating of any commercial vinyl flooring currently on the market. A thicker than average wear layer gives durability for high traffic volumes and, once installed, the flooring is completely waterproof. Available in attractive wood- and stone-effect finishes to provide a warm and friendly welcome to all visitors, the range works well in conjunction with the Pawsafe Domestic range to offer a complete flooring solution for reception areas and consultation rooms.

Best flooring for dogs from Floors for Paws

To chat through your requirements for the best flooring for older dogs, please get in touch, and our friendly sales team will be happy to help. Email us at info@floorsforpaws.com or give us a call on 01522 300218.

At Floors for Paws, we believe the best flooring for dogs is vinyl flooring and here’s why.

As pet owners, we have the pick of flooring solutions for our four legged friends, from deep pile carpet to real wood floors and lots in between but which is the best flooring for dogs and why?

Carpet – obviously comfortable and warm for pets to lie down on but not the best flooring for dogs that pee! Carpet fibres will retain odours, take a long time to dry out and can discolour easily.

Solid wood floors – hard, solid wood floors are uncomfortable for dogs to lie on and can be unyielding to older dogs with arthritic joints. Wood will absorb liquid (think puppies who are still being house-trained and older dogs who may have incontinence) and will stain easily. For dogs who are unsteady on their feet, wood flooring offers no traction and will succumb to claws easily, becoming scratched and damaged.

Tiles – ceramic tiles are undoubtedly waterproof but are cold and uncomfortable in the extreme. For dogs and owners alike, ceramic tiles can pose a real slip risk which can cause serious injury too.

Laminate floors – while laminate will withstand small spillages, excess liquid will penetrate the fibreboard construction of the flooring damaging it and causing it to buckle. Extremely slippery underfoot and paws, laminate will scratch easily and its hard surface is uncomfortable for dogs.

Vinyl flooring

Offering a choice of luxury vinyl sheet flooring, LVT flooring (luxury vinyl tiles), and luxury vinyl planks, vinyl flooring is popular with pet owners. As pet friendly flooring goes, vinyl flooring can’t be beaten. It’s durable and hardwearing and, when professionally installed, is waterproof. Additionally, vinyl flooring is easy to maintain and will resist scratches and dents, making it perfect for any room in the home.  For business or industrial use, vinyl flooring comes with a commercial-quality wear layer with fiberglass reinforcement and has a textured surface layer to help reduce the risk of slipping. A super soft comfort layer makes this extra comfortable for dogs of all ages too.

The best flooring for dogs from Floors for Paws

At Floors for Paws, we have worked with Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) to develop a flooring solution that is pet-friendly and budget-friendly.  Our Pawsafe Domestic Range is available as luxury vinyl planks and our Luxury Vinyl Range is supplied as tiles, allowing homeowners to choose from a wide selection of stylish patterns, both contemporary and traditional to suit every home.

We also supply a range of luxury vinyl sheet flooring – the Pawsafe Commercial Range – which is perfect for any commercial premises, including veterinary clinics, grooming parlours and dog daycare centres. Indeed, many of our commercial customers will choose from the Pawsafe Commercial Range for areas of high traffic that require thorough cleaning, for example in consultation or surgical rooms at vet clinics, and from the Pawsafe Domestic Range for reception areas to offer their own clients a warm and friendly welcome.

To see for yourself just why we believe vinyl flooring is the best flooring for you and your dogs, why not order up to three free samples today? Alternatively, our friendly sales team is on hand to help answer any questions you might have – simply send an email to info@floorsforpaws.com or give us a call on 01522 300218.

At Floors for Paws, we know our customers need flooring that works not only for their pets but for them too. Here we look at the best flooring for pet owners and their pets!

Our blog contains lots of posts about the best flooring for dogs and we pride ourselves on the work we do with Canine Arthritis Management in helping to provide comfortable and kind flooring solutions to help your ageing dog. However, we understand that customers who are pet owners have high expectations when it comes to their flooring and at Floors for Paws, we deliver solutions to keep everyone happy.

Pet friendly flooring from Floors for Paws

Pet friendly flooring prioritises the needs of your pets and our Pawsafe Domestic Range does just that. A unique comfort backing gives better cushioning, particularly important for older dogs with arthritis while the textured, anti-slip surface layer helps prevent young pups not yet steady on their feet, and older dogs to retain their balance. Indeed, the Pawsafe Domestic Range currently has the highest slip rating of any vinyl plank flooring available.

So, we know our pet friendly vinyl flooring is kind to animals, but what does it offer to owners?

Best flooring for pet owners

In addition to our Pawsafe Domestic Range, we offer the Pawsafe Commercial Range and a Luxury Vinyl Range and all are manufactured from the highest quality vinyl. This gives our customers the confidence that they are choosing flooring that is pet-friendly and pet-proof!

Features of dog proof flooring from Floor for Paws

Durability – our vinyl flooring is made up of 5 separate layers making it hardwearing and durable. When professionally installed by an approved contractor, our Pawsafe Commercial Range carries a 10-year commercial guarantee and our Pawsafe Domestic Range carries a 30year domestic guarantee.

Scratch resistance – no one wants to see their flooring damaged by sharp claws or teeth so at Floors for Paws, our vinyl is given a scratch-resistant surface layer to withstand scratches and scuffs.

Waterproof – whatever age your dog is, accidents will happen so owners need dog pee proof flooring. Our vinyl flooring is glued to the sub-floor to create an impermeable seal between any joins, making our ranges completely waterproof.

Stylish – who says pet-friendly flooring has to be dated and unattractive? At Floor for Paws, we know our customers want flooring that is aesthetically pleasing and stylish to suit every type of home. Available in a wide choice of styles, colours and patterns, our flooring caters for every taste to suit any style of décor.

Eco-friendly – our flooring is manufactured from sustainable materials using environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes to ensure a product that is kind to the planet.

Low maintenance – vinyl floors are extremely low-maintenance requiring little more than regular vacuuming and mopping. Deep cleaning can be carried out easily and frequency will depend on the foot traffic your floor has to deal with. How to maintain vinyl flooring has all the information you need to keep your flooring in tip top condition.

To discuss any aspect of our flooring, please contact our sales team by email at info@floorsforpaws.com or by phone on 01522 300218.

Our canine companions bring joy, love, and boundless energy into our lives. However, they can also face their fair share of challenges, one of which is the impact of hard and unforgiving flooring on their well-being. Choosing safe flooring for your dog can provide numerous benefits that not only enhance their comfort but also safeguard their health.

1. Joint Health Matters: Just like humans, dogs can experience joint problems, especially as they age. Hard surfaces, like concrete or tile, can exacerbate joint pain and contribute to conditions like arthritis. Safe flooring, which is softer and more cushioned, helps reduce the strain on joints, keeping your pup more comfortable and mobile.

2. Reduced Slippage: Dogs are not immune to slips and falls, and these accidents can lead to injuries, especially in older or less agile dogs. Safe flooring with good traction minimizes the risk of your furry friend losing their footing, providing a secure environment for play and movement.

3. Comfortable Rest: Dogs spend a significant portion of their lives lying down. Whether it’s naptime or a long night’s sleep, safe flooring provides a comfortable surface that prevents pressure sores and discomfort. Elevated dog beds or soft mats can further enhance their relaxation.

4. Stress Reduction: Dogs are sensitive creatures, and stressful environments can affect their overall well-being. Safe flooring can contribute to a calmer atmosphere. A comfortable, non-slip surface can reduce anxiety and help your dog feel more secure in their surroundings.

5. Maintained Activity: Exercise is essential for a dog’s health, both physically and mentally. Safe flooring encourages activity. When dogs have secure footing and reduced joint discomfort, they’re more likely to engage in play and exercise, which can maintain muscle strength and overall fitness.

6. Hygiene and Cleanliness: Safe flooring is easier to clean and maintain. Accidents happen, but with the right flooring, cleaning up is a breeze. This is especially important for puppies or senior dogs who may have trouble controlling their bodily functions.

7. Long-Term Cost Savings: Investing in safe flooring can be cost-effective in the long run. Preventing joint issues or injuries can save you money on veterinary bills and treatments. It’s a wise investment in your dog’s health and happiness.

8. Versatile Design Options: Safe flooring doesn’t mean sacrificing aesthetics. There’s a wide range of flooring options that combine safety with style, allowing you to choose a design that complements your home while keeping your dog’s needs in mind.

In conclusion, safe flooring for dogs isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. It promotes joint health, reduces stress, enhances comfort, and ensures your dog can enjoy a full and active life. By choosing flooring that prioritizes your dog’s well-being, you’re making a loving investment in their future happiness and health.

At Floors for Paws, we’ve expertly combined both quality and style within our selection of flooring that is not only pet-friendly but also remarkably easy to maintain. While traditional flooring materials like real wood, laminate, and ceramic may present a slipping hazard and a less forgiving landing surface, our vinyl solutions are an ideal choice for dogs of all ages. These specialized vinyl options feature a textured, anti-slip surface and an additional layer of soft protection. They come highly recommended by CAM (Canine Arthritis Management), especially for older dogs and those suffering from arthritis.

Our flooring is available in both tile and plank formats, offering a wide array of colours and designs to suit any room in your home. Whether you’re revamping your living room or transforming your kitchen, our Pawsafe Domestic Range and Luxury Vinyl Range are perfect options.

For businesses that frequently welcome furry visitors, such as veterinary clinics, dog daycare centres, and canine cafes, our Pawsafe Commercial Range is available in roll format. It represents the pinnacle of pet-friendly flooring, ensuring both durability and aesthetics.
Call us today on 01522 300218 or send an email to info@floorsforpaws.com

If you run a dog daycare centre what type of flooring should you have? Our guide explains what owners want to see when they drop their pets off.

What is doggy daycare?

Dating back to 1980s America, doggy daycare is a relatively recent phenomenon in the UK and is the pet equivalent to child day care. For pet owners who work, daycare can be a lifesaver and often centres will accept pets for one-off dates, for example if an owner has an appointment.

Where a dog day centre is run as a commercial business, there are government regulations that owners have to follow but there are also the expectations of pet owners to consider. If you run a dog day centre, what should you provide for the pets in your care? The answer is obvious and all your clients will expect their pets to be cared for, looked after, occupied, and safe. Of course qualified, caring staff will deliver most of these qualities but what practical steps can you take to keep them safe?

Best flooring for doggy daycare

Like veterinary flooring, doggy daycare flooring needs to be tough enough to cope with a high volume of traffic of every size and shape. It needs to be able to withstand accidents by dogs that pee, and be easy to clean. Most of all it needs to be kind to the animals and, if it can be attractive and welcoming to human visitors, well that’s a huge bonus! At Floors for Paws, our range of Pawsafe Commercial flooring is perfect and here’s why:

Hardwearing and durable

Paws and claws scratch, causing damage that could lead to your flooring having to be replaced sooner than you’d like. So your flooring has to be hardwearing enough to withstand all that your four legged clients will put it through.

Resistant to wear and tear

Doggy daycare flooring has to hold up to the wear and tear from paws, scratching, chewing and the inevitable dog pee it will be exposed to. Pawsafe Commercial flooring features a 0.7 wear layer and is hardwearing and waterproof. Able to withstand heavy duty washing down, the flooring also offers very good electrical resistance.

Easy to keep clean

With muddy paws, germs and bacteria in abundance, your flooring needs to be easy to clean. Luxury vinyl plank flooring and luxury vinyl tiles both have seams that are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria but the Pawsafe Commercial range is supplied as vinyl flooring on a roll which creates a waterproof and seamless floor covering (when professionally installed with hot weld rods) that cannot be penetrated by liquids and requires little more than mopping.

Attractive

At Floors for Paws we believe a commercial flooring solution should be just as attractive as those found in our homes so the Pawsafe Commercial range is not only practical but aesthetically appealing too. Offered in a wood– or stone-effect finish, the flooring will make visitors feel like they are at home and your premises will look welcoming and much less clinical as well.

Pet-friendly flooring

The difference between pet-proof and pet-friendly flooring is important to us at Floor for Paws and we know that all our ranges are both! Endorsed by Canine Arthritis Management and veterinary clinics across the UK, the Pawsafe Commercial range has an anti-slip finish making it kinder to older dogs with mobility problems. The cushion comfort layer offers a level of comfort unseen in average commercial flooring.

The best flooring for dog daycare from Floor for Paws

To try our Pawsafe Commercial flooring for your dog daycare business, choose up to three free samples and then give our friendly team a call on 01522 300218 or send us an email to info@floorsforpaws.com

Vinyl flooring can be supplied as tiles, planks, or sheeting. In this article, we focus on sheet vinyl flooring.

Vinyl flooring is one of many flooring solutions available for the domestic and commercial sectors, along with carpet, real wood and laminate. It is supplied in one of three formats; as vinyl flooring planks, vinyl floor tiles or as vinyl sheet flooring.

At Floor for Paws, our Luxury Vinyl and our Pawsafe Domestic ranges are available as vinyl planks and/or vinyl tiles, enabling you to be creative with patterns. Our Pawsafe Commercial range, however, is commercial sheet vinyl flooring.

What is sheet vinyl flooring?

Sheet vinyl flooring is supplied in rolls, similar to carpet, and is cut to your chosen length, based on the area of the floor to be covered. Sheet vinyl flooring allows an area to be covered with no, or very few, joins.

Features of sheet vinyl flooring

Fewer, if any, joins – depending on the roll width, sheet vinyl flooring allows an area to be recovered with no, or very few, seams

Wide choice of patterns – sheet vinyl flooring is offered in a wide selection of designs, to emulate natural materials like stone, wood and ceramic. Patterned vinyl sheet flooring features intricate patterns like those created with parquet wood flooring, allowing you to have the aesthetic of a high end floor without any of the fuss!

Absorbs noise – vinyl flooring will absorb the noise from foot traffic, making it the perfect solution for busy commercial premises and especially veterinary practices where lots of four-legged visitors are welcomed. The Pawsafe commercial range is cushioned for increased noise absorption and to be kinder on dogs’ joints.

Waterproof – with sheet vinyl flooring involving very few, if any, joins, the floor will be completely water resistant, with nowhere for moisture to penetrate.

Low maintenance – no specialist products are required to keep sheet vinyl in tip top condition; regular sweeping or vacuuming and mopping is enough.

Sheet vinyl flooring from Floors For Paws

Our Pawsafe Commercial range of flooring, approved by Canine Arthritis Management (CAM), is supplied as sheet vinyl. Offering excellent slip resistance and maximum grip, the Pawsafe Commercial range is particularly recommended for veterinary surgeries where four-legged visitors are often elderly and arthritic, or young and bouncy.

Available in a range of wood- and stone-effect designs, our sheet vinyl flooring enables commercial premises to have the warm and welcoming look of a private home with the durability and strength necessary for high volumes of traffic.

The Pawsafe range supports safe movement and provides comfort to ageing pets thanks to its thicker than average wear layer, and is being used in veterinary practices across the country.

Once you have requested your three free samples, ordering can be done quickly and easily. Simply call us on 01937 830948 or email us at info@floorsforpaws.com for a no-obligation quote. With a network of approved contractors across the UK, we can arrange for a full installation service or you can arrange your own installation. Once you have placed an order, delivery is between one and six weeks, depending on your installation preferences.

We look forward to hearing about your next project soon!