Non-slip flooring for dogs

Watching dogs sliding along highly polished floors is funny in old cartoons, but the reality of a slippery floor, particularly for older dogs, is no laughing matter. Here, we look at non-slip flooring for dogs and why it’s so important to get it right.

The risks to dogs of slippery floors

Just like humans, dogs feel insecure on slippery surfaces and when they understand that there is the possibility of falling or sliding, it will make them unstable. For dogs of any age, this feeling of instability will lead to a lack of confidence which will make them alter their gait when walking, overusing muscles to maintain their stability. For older dogs who may be suffering from canine arthritis, as well as puppies who haven’t fully developed, a fall will cause pain and may result in serious injury.

The need for good quality, anti slip flooring for dogs is important in any setting, but especially in environments which welcome lots of dogs of different ages, such as veterinary practices, doggy day care and commercial kennels. At Floors For Paws, we work closely with veterinarian professionals to ensure we have a deep understanding of what a floor has to deliver.

The features of dog-friendly flooring

So, if you are in the market for new flooring, what should you be looking for? Humans need pet flooring that is easy to keep clean and water resistant. Dogs on the other hand, need flooring that is not hard, so that the risk of injury through falls is reduced, nor cold as cold flooring affects circulation and is unforgiving to arthritic paws.  Flooring that offers good traction and grip will not only reduce the incidence of sliding for the dogs but will also allow them to get back up more easily if they do fall.

Best non slip flooring for dogs

While carpet is soft and warm, it isn’t very practical when it comes to accidents and in a commercial setting is impractical from a hygiene point of view. Wood flooring and laminate both offer a great aesthetic and can be durable and hardwearing for the humans walking on it. Sadly for our four legged friends, they are both highly slippery and would be a hard landing surface for dogs of any age. Just as slippery are ceramic tiles, which come with the added disadvantage to dogs of being extremely cold under paws. So what does that leave?

Luxury vinyl flooring

Luxury vinyl flooring is perfect for owners and dogs alike. Humans love that it is easy to clean, scratch resistant, waterproof and available in a wide range of attractive designs. Dogs love that it is not cold to the touch, is comfortable to lie down on and has good grip when they want to get back up.

Ease of cleaning, scratch resistance, traction, and moisture damage are all considerations in choosing the best flooring for homes with pets. Both laminate and luxury vinyl flooring are great choices but if the pet is prone to accidents, luxury vinyl is the way to go thanks to its waterproof qualities.

The Pawsafe Commercial Range from Floors For Paws

Our Pawsafe commercial flooring is high quality vinyl roll flooring approved by CAM (Canine Arthritis Management) that will please two- and four-legged users! Ideal for making pet-care settings and veterinary practices more appealing, while being easy to clean and maintain, the wide range of colours and designs available would also look perfect in a family home. With a cushion comfort layer and an anti-slip wear layer, this is a flooring that is kind to puppies and dogs of all ages and gentle on their joints.

To find out more about a flooring that appeals to humans while prioritising the needs of their pets, or to order three free samples, call us today on 01937 830948 or email us at info@floorsforpaws.com

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