Think about this; dogs spend their entire lifetime on the floor. If you are considering a home remodel and changing your flooring, it might be the time to get a new flooring best suited for your dog. Dogs have claws that will regularly grow back with the potential to cause extensive damage to your floor. 

The following are some considerations to make when choosing a dog-friendly floor for your home. 

  • Keep in mind both human and dog needs: The best floors for both humans and dogs should be scratch resistant, have traction, easily cleaned, and should readily absorb sound. It will help older dogs with movement if the floor has good traction. 
  • Good durability: The floor type chosen should offer good durability that encompasses resistance to moisture and impact from repeated use. Concrete is highly durable, however, the majority of homeowners would hesitate to install the floor.

Continental Flooring has identified some of the best floor dogs Ottawa options for dog owners.

  1. Vinyl flooring: It is a good and low-cost option flooring option that is easy to install. It will remain cool during summer and stay warm during winter making it comfortable for your dog. Vinyl readily accepts radiant heating coils underneath it for winter heating. It has sufficient traction to allow your dog to walk safely around the home. 
  2. Laminate flooring: This is a scratch-resistant surface if you choose abrasion class (AC) ratings above 3. Install a thick laminate floor at least 12mm to eliminate the hollow noise created when a dog walks on it. The downside with laminate is that it offers little traction for your dog even without the glossy finish. 
  3. Bamboo flooring: Bamboo is considered a wood flooring and is extremely durable if it is strand woven and infused with resins. Bamboo flooring provides warmth in the winter months and even allows the installation of heating. 
  4. Ceramic or Porcelain Tile: Tiles are highly water-resistant and will make cleaning easy. The installation of tiles on a concrete surface makes the floor solid eliminating any hollow spots that may create noise. Choose tiles that have thicker grout lines to provide greater traction for your dog when standing and walking. 
  5. Engineered wood flooring: Engineered floors are popular due to their versatility and affordability. The floor is warm and comfortable but is prone to scratching. 
  6. Carpeting: Your dog will love carpeting for its warmth and great traction when standing and playing around. However, carpets may not be the best choice due to the accumulation of dog hair and soaking wet and getting smelly if the dog is old and incontinent.