The Best Flooring, Furniture, and Surfaces to Choose for a Pet Friendly Home
Have you ever come home from work to find your brand-new couch has been ripped to shreds?
Don't worry; we've all been there! We love our pets, but sometimes they can be a little bit naughty when we're not looking.
The good news is you can have a pet and a clean home at the same time! How? By choosing the right flooring, furniture, and outdoor surfaces, that's how!
Are you in the process of moving into your new home? Discover how you can make it a pet-friendly oasis here.
The Best Pet-Friendly Flooring
As much as we don't like to admit, pets often leave scratches, hair, and messes on our flooring. Minor wears and tears aren’t the end of the world, but it can take a toll on your floors over time.
Luckily, there are plenty of animal-proof flooring options to choose from. Here are some of our top picks.
Vinyl
Vinyl is ideal for heavy pet traffic as it is durable, waterproof, and easy to clean. It's also skid-resistant, making it suitable for older dogs with mobility issues. As a bonus, vinyl is available in many different styles and can be designed to mimic hardwood and stone tiles.
Tile
Tile flooring is an excellent option if you want to preserve the beauty of your floors while still letting your pet bounce around on them. It's the popular go-to choice for pet owners because it is water-resistant, stain-resistant, and easy to clean.
Don't worry about scratches either; tile is scratch-proof and slip-resistant. The only downside is that they aren't as comfortable and can be very cold to lay on during winter.
Laminate
Laminate flooring is incredibly cost-effective for larger spaces and stands up against scratches and stains. It's also easy to clean. If you live in a cooler climate, you might want to install electric floor heating.
The only downside is that laminate does have a slippery texture which can be troublesome for older pets with mobility issues.
Engineered Hardwood
Hardwood isn't the most pet-friendly flooring option available. However, if you love the look of hardwood, you should choose engineered hardwood flooring. With engineered hardwood, you get the best of both worlds: the aesthetics without the scratches.
To keep your floors looking their best, be sure to keep your pet's nails trimmed, use pet-friendly hardwood flooring cleaners, and wipe up accidents as soon as they happen.
The Best Pet-Friendly Furniture
It's almost impossible not to let your goofy pet onto the couch for a snuggle or two. While cute, it can also wreak havoc on our furniture.
Couches are especially vulnerable to tears, stains, and rips. It's time to stop relying on that bottle of urine-remover and shop for a new pet-friendly couch.
When you do, you'll want to find one that is:
- Scratch-resistant
- Easy to remove pet hair
- Stain-resistant
Here are some of the most pet-friendly durable material options that'll suit a range of homes and styles.
Leather
Leather is one of the best materials for pet-friendly furniture. That's because fur won't stick to it, it's easy to clean, and your pet's nails won't get snagged into the material.
Even if your pet does scratch the leather surface, you can easily buff it out with leather oil.
Velvet
Velvet is another great pet-friendly material. It can be wiped down or spot cleaned with minimal effort.
The only downside is that it does tend to attract pet hair. Don't worry, though; a quick wipe-over with a pet hair remover should do the trick.
If you've got a high-energy pet who loves to run inside covered in mud, velvet might be the material for you.
Microfiber
Microfiber is a synthetic fabric that is another excellent choice for pet owners. It looks like suede but is easy to clean and maintain.
Microfiber is almost entirely resistant to claw marks as they cant catch on the weave.
The Best Pet-Friendly Surfaces
There's no reason why you can't have a nice yard and a pet at the same time! All it takes is some research and a little patience!
Here are some of the best "pet-scaping" ideas for your backyard.
Lawn
Unfortunately, no lawn is 100% animal-proof. However, there are plenty of pet-friendly natural grass options that are durable and easy to care for.
Here are a few types of grass to consider:
- Bermuda grass
- Zoysia grass
- Centipede grass
- Buffalo grass
- Kentucky bluegrass
- St. Augustine grass
- Tall Fescue grass
If you want to avoid the problems associated with natural grass, try artificial grass or "Pet Turf." It's low-maintenance, affordable, and natural-looking.
Sand
Is your pet a natural-born digger? Instead of ripping up flower beds, why not give them a sandbox? Sandboxes are a great way to redirect your pet's digging energy.
You can build a sandbox, or you could buy a plastic clamshell sandpit and fill it up with sand. Remember to keep the sand damp (it's more enticing) and bury some of their favorite toys in the box. This will encourage digging!
Pet Gates/Fences
One way to keep pets away from non-pet-friendly areas of the yard is by building fences around them. Fenced-in gardens will not only keep your pets out but also any other local animals who enjoy munching on your flora.
You might also be doing your pets a favor too. You'd be surprised by how many native landscape plants contain some degree of toxin. Avoid a trip to the vet and protect your garden at the same time!
Your Guide to a Pet-Friendly Home
Our pets are part of the family, and we want them to be as comfortable at home as we are! That's why pet care is our number one priority.
Durable, pet-friendly flooring, furniture, and outdoor surfaces are a must-have in any space with pets.
If you're in the process of moving, it pays to work with the pros! The guys at College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving are here to help you.
Sit back and relax while our team moves your furniture from your old home to your new one. We'll also dispose of all your unwanted junk and debris and make sure it is recycled or disposed of in an environmentally-conscious way.
What are you waiting for? Book our services today!