Laminate Flooring and Dogs: What to Consider

Choosing new flooring material is a huge decision.

It’s a big investment, which means you need to pick flooring you’ll like for years to come and an option that holds up to the traffic in your home.

This means if you have dogs, you need a floor that is easy to clean and scratch-resistant.

One option to consider is laminate. 

Is Laminate Flooring a Good Choice if You Have Dogs?

Laminate flooring is an excellent choice for dog owners. It holds up to the wear and tear of active dogs and is scratch and stain-resistant. It’s also very easy to clean. The biggest con to laminate flooring and dogs is urine messes. If urine isn’t quickly cleaned up, it can cause permanent damage to the laminate.

What are the Best Laminate Floor Options for Dogs?

When you’re choosing laminate flooring with a dog in mind, the top two things to keep in mind are scratch and water resistance.

Here are a few options that meet these criteria.

Pergo Outlast with Spill Protection – Pergo Outlast laminate flooring has a durable overlayment that is scratch-resistant, dent-resistant, and waterproof. This flooring can be used in any room and withstand wear and tear from even the most active dog.

QuickStep Impressive Ultra – This line of flooring is scratch-resistant, waterproof, and comes with a 25-year warranty. And there are many different shades to choose from.

Mannington Restoration Collection – Mannington has some of the most beautiful laminate flooring options. And aside from the beauty, these floors are also tough. The Restoration Collections features flooring that is spillproof, scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and easy to clean.

How to Clean Dog Urine from Laminate Floors

Luckily, if you’re quick to catch urine messes, you won’t have to worry about this damage. (And having a waterproof laminate will offer you an extra shield of protection.)

Here’s how to clean dog urine from laminate flooring:

• Wipe up the urine with a paper towel.
• Spot clean the area with your regular mopping solution.

How to Create Traction for Your Dogs on Laminate Flooring

Another concern pet owners have when it comes to laminate flooring is traction issues for their dogs. The truth is, dogs’ paws are not like human feet. Dogs are going to have traction issues on almost all hard surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will dogs scratch up laminate floors?

Laminate floors hold up well to traffic from dogs. However, if your pup is particularly active or has sharp nails, consider purchasing a laminate flooring with a scratch-resistant label. Laminate flooring marketed as scratch-resistant has an extra layer of protection and most likely comes with a warranty.

If your laminate flooring is already scratched, you can read here for ideas on fixing it.

Does dog pee damage laminate flooring?

Yes, if dog pee penetrates your floor, it will cause the laminate to buckle, warp, or grow mold. This is not as common in waterproof laminate but can still happen if urine seeps between the floorboards. This is why cleaning up urine as quickly as possible is so important.

How can I remove a dog urine smell from laminate flooring?

Removing dog urine smell from laminate flooring can be tricky and doesn’t always work. Start by thoroughly cleaning and mopping your floors. Next, liberally sprinkle baking soda where the urine spots were. Allow the baking soda to sit overnight and then vacuum the following day. If this doesn’t work, try using a commercially made odor remover for laminate flooring.

Conclusion

If you’re in the market for new floors and wondering about laminate flooring and dogs, it’s a great option. Be sure to look for laminate flooring with a scratch and water-resistant label. This type of floor will be able to handle traffic from even the most playful pup.