What is the best flooring for dogs that have accidents?

LVT is the best choice for dogs prone to accidents. It's 100% waterproof, so urine doesn't penetrate the surface. Clean up immediately with a pet-safe cleaner. For carpet, use an enzyme-based cleaner that breaks down the proteins causing odour.

What flooring won't scratch with dog claws?

Porcelain tiles are completely scratch-proof. LVT with a 0.5mm+ wear layer is highly scratch-resistant for most dogs. Laminate and engineered wood will scratch over time with large dogs. Real wood scratches most easily.

Is carpet or hard floor better for dogs?

It depends on the dog. Carpet is warmer and more comfortable for dogs to lie on, but harder to keep clean. Hard flooring (LVT, tiles) is easier to clean but can be cold and slippery. Many pet owners choose hard flooring with washable rugs in pet resting areas.

What flooring is best for cats?

Cats are generally less damaging to floors than dogs. LVT, laminate and engineered wood all work well with cats. Avoid loop pile carpet as cats' claws can snag and pull the loops. A cut pile carpet with stain protection is the best carpet choice for cat owners.

How do I get pet odour out of carpet?

Use an enzyme-based pet odour eliminator — these break down the proteins in urine that cause persistent smell. Apply generously, leave for 10–15 minutes, then blot dry. For severe or repeated soiling in the same area, professional cleaning or carpet replacement may be necessary.

Lifestyle Guide 7 min read

Best Flooring for Homes with Pets (Dogs & Cats)

Pets are wonderful — but they're tough on floors. Scratches from claws, accidents, muddy paws and the occasional chewed corner mean your flooring needs to be genuinely tough. Here's our honest guide to the best pet-friendly flooring options.

By the Multi-Save Carpets team · Updated 2025 · Based in Bristol since 1955

What Pets Do to Floors

Dogs and cats create four main types of flooring damage: scratches from claws (particularly dogs), moisture damage from accidents and wet paws, staining from urine and food, and odour absorption into porous materials.

The best pet-friendly flooring addresses all four of these challenges.

1. LVT — Best Overall for Pet Owners

Luxury Vinyl Tile is our top recommendation for homes with pets. It's scratch-resistant (the wear layer protects against claw damage), 100% waterproof (accidents clean up completely), easy to clean, and doesn't absorb odours.

LVT with a wear layer of 0.5mm or more is genuinely scratch-resistant for most dogs. Very large dogs with long claws may still scratch the surface over time, but it performs far better than real wood or laminate.

2. Porcelain Tiles — Most Scratch-Resistant

Porcelain tiles are completely scratch-proof — no dog claw can damage them. They're also waterproof and easy to clean. The downsides for pet owners are that they're cold (pets may prefer warmer surfaces) and can be slippery when wet, which can cause joint problems in older dogs.

If you choose tiles, consider a textured surface for better grip and add rugs in areas where your pet rests.

3. Carpet — Comfortable but Challenging

Carpet is the most comfortable surface for pets and many dogs and cats love it. The challenges are staining, odour absorption and claw snagging (particularly loop pile carpets).

If you want carpet with pets, choose: a stain-resistant treated carpet (many modern carpets have built-in stain protection), a cut pile rather than loop pile (loop pile can snag claws), a mid-tone colour that hides pet hair, and a polypropylene or nylon fibre rather than wool (easier to clean).

4. Laminate — Moderate Pet Resistance

Laminate is more scratch-resistant than real wood but less so than LVT. It's not waterproof, which is the main concern for pet owners — accidents must be cleaned up immediately to prevent the HDF core from swelling.

If you have laminate and are getting a pet, it can work with prompt accident management. But if you're choosing new flooring for a home with pets, LVT is the better choice.

5. Real Wood — Avoid with Active Dogs

Real wood and large, active dogs are a difficult combination. Dog claws will scratch and dent solid wood over time, and accidents can cause permanent staining and warping if not cleaned up immediately.

Engineered wood with a hard finish is more resistant but still not ideal for homes with large dogs. If you love wood flooring and have pets, consider LVT with a realistic wood effect — it looks the same but performs far better.