Waterproof flooring for pets

puppy has a wee on floor

Establishments welcoming young and old dogs need flooring that will stand up to dog pee, and in our latest guide we look at the most effective waterproof flooring for pets.

 

Commercial premises that have a lot of four-legged traffic, such as veterinarian clinics, dog daycare centres and pet-friendly cafes, need a floor that is hardwearing, durable and attractive (for the two-legged owners!). While a water-resistant floor will cope with small spillages, a waterproof flooring solution is needed to cope with bigger events including dog pee. But, what other features does waterproof flooring need to have?

Features of flooring for commercial premises

Waterproof – as mentioned above, flooring needs to withstand the pee from puppies and old dogs and also be able to withstand regular, deep cleaning without becoming compromised or damaged.

Easy to clean – not only must the flooring be able to withstand urine, it must be easy to clean as it will be exposed to mud, dirt and poop too.

Comfortable and non-slip – dogs of all ages appreciate a softer flooring to lie down on and one that they will feel confident standing on without fear of slipping.

Attractive – one for the owners here! A waterproof flooring doesn’t have to be ugly or boring in its appearance and, for business owners, it is important that their premises are welcoming and attractive.

While undoubtedly comfortable and attractive, carpet is the most impractical and least waterproof flooring for pets. It absorbs spills and will stain easily, and it will provide younger dogs with the perfect chew toy! So what does that leave? Hard flooring is available in four options – laminate, wood, ceramic tiles, and vinyl. Let’s take a look:

Solid wood flooring for dogs

Hard and unforgiving to tender joints, solid wood flooring will soak up excessive liquid and will stain easily. Add to this its slippery surface and the fact that it scratches quite readily, and you can see why this is not the best solution.

Ceramic tile flooring for dogs

Without a doubt practically impenetrable to liquid, ceramic tiles are waterproof. However, they are not pet-friendly, offering a cold, hard and extremely slippery surface to pets.

Laminate flooring for dogs

Water resistant against light spillages thanks to its softwood fibre construction, laminate flooring will not cope with excessive moisture from dog pee and deep cleaning. Moisture entering the joints of the flooring will cause boards to buckle and the floor will become damaged.

Vinyl flooring for dogs

A versatile flooring that can be supplied in a variety of formats to suit the premises, vinyl flooring is completely waterproof when correctly installed. Not only is vinyl flooring waterproof, it is also hardwearing, comfortable and available in a host of finishes, designs and colours to suit any location.

Waterproof vinyl flooring for dogs from Floors for Paws

At floors for Paws, our Luxury Vinyl Range and the Pawsafe Domestic Range are designed with discerning homes in mind. Whether you want to mimic the look of a traditional herringbone pattern solid wood floor or you prefer the aesthetic of ceramic tiles, these ranges have something for everyone. Available as planks (the Pawsafe Domestic Range) or tiles (the Luxury Vinyl Range) and in a choice of wood or stone effect finishes, for every room in the house.

For commercial premises – dog groomers, vets clinics, pet hotels – our Pawsafe Commercial Range is available on the roll and comes in a wide choice of wood- and stone-effect finishes, as well as a good choice of colours. With very few seams, this CAM endorsed, pet-friendly flooring is completely waterproof. When installed by our approved contractors the entire range comes with a 10-year commercial guarantee. To learn more about the Pawsafe Commercial Range, head to our guide to sheet vinyl flooring, or for all other enquiries, send us an email to info@floorsforpaws.com or give us a call on 01522 300218 today.

A complete guide to the best waterproof flooring for dogs

Dog in bath with bubbles

We look at flooring options for pet owners and examine the best waterproof flooring for dogs on the market.

When you’re a pet owner, whether you have a puppy still toilet training or an older dog with age related incontinence, liquid accidents are an inevitable part of life. Add in to the mix muddy post-walk paws or bath time and it’s easy to see why waterproof flooring for pets is essential.

Before we look at the options available to pet owners, let’s examine the different factors to consider before choosing your flooring.

Waterproof flooring for dogs

People use these phrases interchangeably but they are in fact two different things. Water-resistant flooring will resist certain small spillages but waterproof flooring is designed to withstand spillages and bigger events such as full spilt dog bowls and lakes of dog wee!

Where the flooring will be installed

The setting for your flooring will impact your choice. For example the best living room flooring for dogs may not be the best flooring for a dog grooming salon or a veterinarian surgery. Consider whether your flooring will be subject to constant mopping in a commercial environment (think doggy daycare or pet-friendly cafes) or lighter daily maintenance in your kitchen.

Now you’ve considered what you need and where it will be, let’s look at your flooring options.

Ceramic or porcelain tiles

While ceramic and porcelain tiles are recognised for being almost impenetrable to liquids, they are one of the least pet friendly flooring options. Cold and hard and extremely slippery underfoot, this type of flooring can make old and young dogs feel unstable and affect their confidence. To find out more about the risks to dogs of slippery flooring see our article Non-slip flooring for dogs.

Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is constructed from softwood fibres so while it will withstand light spillages, making it water resistant, it will not tolerate anything more without running the risk of buckling and becoming damaged. While it is easy to clean, laminate is not waterproof and can be prone to moisture entering the joints between the boards.

Solid wood flooring

While they offer a traditional aesthetic for your home, solid wood floors soak up liquid causing them to stain quite easily. A lighter wood could therefore end up with dark patches if you have a dog that has frequent accidents.

Carpet

Undoubtedly warm and comfortable for our canine friends, in terms of its ability to withstand liquids and moisture, carpet is a poor choice if you’re looking for a waterproof floor covering for pets. Carpet is porous, turning it into a sponge for any liquid spillages and the fibres will retain smells which will not go unnoticed by visitors for long, so carpet is definitely not the best waterproof flooring for dogs.

Vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring, including luxury vinyl tiles, vinyl plank flooring and vinyl on the roll, is completely waterproof. It is offered in a range of finishes to suit every taste and setting and is resilient and hardwearing. Finally, with the exception of carpet, vinyl flooring is the kindest option for pets as it is more comfortable underfoot than tiles, laminate or solid wood.

Vinyl flooring from Floor For Paws – best waterproof flooring for dogs

At Floors For Paws we offer a choice of waterproof vinyl flooring for every home and commercial premises.

Luxury Vinyl Range

Our Luxury Vinyl Range is available as luxury vinyl planks which offer the look of a wooden floor, or as luxury vinyl tiles that mimic stone tiles. Hardwearing and durable, LVP (luxury vinyl plank) is ideal for anyone looking for a stylish flooring option. To see the options available , or to order your 3 free samples, click here.

Pawsafe Domestic Range

Endorsed and approved by CAM (Canine Arthritis Management), our Pawsafe Domestic Range is available in a choice of plank sizes to offer more design options and a popular design is the herringbone pattern which can be installed in a variety of ways to mimic a traditional solid wood floor. This is an ideal flooring for domestic settings and commercial premises thanks to its strength and durability, and comes with a 10-year commercial guarantee. Your three free samples can be chosen here.

Pawsafe Commercial range

Sold as commercial sheet vinyl on the roll, the Pawsafe Commercial Range is perfect for businesses as it can be laid with no, or very few, joins creating a waterproof surface that is impenetrable to liquids. Endorsed and approved by CAM (Canine Arthritis Management), the Pawsafe Commercial Range is recommended for commercial environments that welcome a lot of four legged paw traffic, such as veterinarian clinics, day care centres and pet-friendly cafes and restaurants. Use our sample picker to choose up to three free samples and see our Guide to sheet vinyl flooring.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the best waterproof flooring for dogs, send us an email to info@floosforpaws.com or call us on 01937 830948.

Best waterproof flooring for pets

Terrier in bath tub

Pet owners rejoice! Laugh in the face of upturned water bowls, puppy/older dog accidents, post rain walks, bath time shenanigans and drool that used to make you run for the mop…..

Floors For Paws is 100% waterproof. Why?

Floors For Paws is waterproof because it is glued down to your sub-floor leaving fluids nowhere to go. Spills, wees, drips and drool will stay on the top surface of our floor and will never go below the top surface. It wont stain, warp or discolour your new floor.

Pet owners know the challenges of wood and laminate flooring with pets. Liquid will find a way into any permeable or semi-permeable surface, and any crack or joint – no matter how small. This can cause damage to your floor.

Floors For Paws top surface is impermeable to liquid and the glue acts as a weld to ensure nothing can seep between the joins.

Imagine if it’s possible that you left dog wee on your floor overnight without mopping it up! Of course you wouldn’t, but if for any reason it happened on Floors for Paws you would get up the next day to find it still on the top of the floor, without staining, without damaging, without warping the product below.

Stress free, easy maintenance for pet owners? Floors For Paws; The best waterproof flooring for pets and pet owners.

Click here to order your free samples