Is Vinyl Flooring Good for Dogs? (Durable Enough?)

When you have a dog one of the first things you need to think of is the flooring option you are considering durable?  This is one of the most important factors you need to consider. 

The question is this; is vinyl flooring durable enough for your home if you have a dog? 

Questions to ask When Looking at Flooring

When considering flooring options if you have a dog, there are three questions you need to ask yourself.

• Scratch-resistant:  This is a major consideration because the claws of your dog can do damage on many surfaces of flooring.  This can leave the floors dull and scratched.
• Durable:  You need to not only consider the wear and tear on the floor by a dog and their claws but will the floor stain if they have an accident on it.  Will it crack or dent from their nails and their weight?
• Comfortable and safe:  You need to make sure that if the dog runs on the floor it can get good traction because if not, they could slide around and hurt themselves or run into someone and cause them to fall.  The flooring should also be comfortable for the dog to walk on.

Why Vinyl Flooring is a Good Choice for Dogs

There are many options to choose from when looking at vinyl floors. 

Sheet vinyl flooring is the most affordable type and one that many people choose.  The reasons this is a good choice includes:

• Inexpensive:  When you compare the price of vinyl flooring with other types of flooring you will find that it is the least expensive flooring.  One thing to keep in mind is that there are differences in the quality of vinyl flooring so prices will vary. 
• Resilient and durable:  When choosing vinyl flooring, you do not have to worry about the floor being scratched by the dog’s claws.  It is also water-resistant so if you are using sheet vinyl make sure that all seams are done correctly and there are no gaps as water can get in these spaces and cause issues. 
• Comfortable for dogs to walk on:  Because vinyl flooring has a little bit of a give when a dog walks on it there is some softness on their paws.  There is also no noise when their claws touch the floor as they walk across it.
• Easy to clean:  If your dog has an accident on the flooring it is easy to wipe up.

Comparing Vinyl Floorings With Other Flooring

• Hardwood:  This flooring is susceptible to damage from water and other liquids and staining.  It is not resistant to scratches for the most part but the more expensive woods like hard maple and mahogany are a little more resistant.
• Bamboo:  Some pet owners like bamboo flooring when they have a dog.  It is more resistant than other wood floorings and is tough to scratch.  It is also an eco-friendly choice.  It is more expensive than vinyl flooring and does not offer as many style varieties.
• Stone tiles:  Tiles are hard, can be cold, making them hard for a dog to walk on.  They are scratch-resistant and generally easy to clean in case a dog has an accident but there is grout and grout lines that are hard to clean.  Some stone tiles are porous so they do not resist stains as well.  In addition to not offering your dog any cushion for walking, stone tiles can be noisy when their claws click-clack on the floor.
• Laminate:  This flooring is similar to vinyl flooring because it is not that expensive and it is easy to clean.  If it becomes scratched, they are not as noticeable as on other floorings like wood.

Tips for Choosing the Best Vinyl Flooring for Dogs

• In order to make sure that the vinyl flooring that you are considering using can withstand urine if they have an accident or from their nails, choose one that has a thick design layer and a protective layer.
• The top layer, also known as the mil or wear layer needs to be between 20-40 mil thick.  The thicker this layer the more durable it will be.
• Check out the protective coating to make sure that it is a no-wax vinyl coating.  If you want some type of coating, look for a urethane finish as it will give you better stain resistance and durability.  The best coating would be an aluminum oxide that is made to be stain-resistance.

Maintaining Vinyl Flooring with Pets 

Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of colors and patterns. 

You can get some that look like ceramic tiles or hardwood flooring without all the expense and without all the issues such as scratching and not being stain resistant. 

Although vinyl flooring is very durable, over time it can become susceptible to scratches. 

To help keep it scratch-free you will need to regularly clean it with a mop and vacuum that is hard-floor approved. 

When you remove the grime and dirt, you are preventing these from scratching the surface of the floor. 

Do not use a broom because when the dirt is pushed across the floor it can damage the surface and maybe even scratch the floor. 

For high traffic areas, to help prevent scratching, you should cover the area with a mat or rug. 

Make sure that whatever you use it does not slip each time you step on it.  Take off shoes before you walk around the house to help prevent scratches.

Conclusion

• When choosing vinyl flooring, always make sure that it is easy to clean, water-resistance, and stain-resistance. 
• If you have a senior dog that has frequent accidents or a young dog that is not completely housebroken, vinyl flooring is the ideal choice.
• Make sure that whichever vinyl flooring you choose that it is non-slip as dogs, especially older ones, can be seriously hurt if they slide on the floor and fall or hit something. 
• Walking on vinyl flooring is better on a dog’s joints.
• Vinyl flooring also repels dog hair so all you need is to vacuum to get rid of the hair.