You know, my friend Emily has a super cute and energetic golden retriever named Max. And yes, Max is obviously the life of her house—he’s always wagging his tail & fetching toys. But it’s just that Max doesn’t have good toilet training. And Emily…..well, she doesn’t have the best flooring for dogs that pee at home.
So, when Emily’s juggling her mom duties or feeling sick, Max simply pees on the floor. And while Emily cleans it up quickly, the smell lingers, the floors warp & stain!
That’s why, Emily decided it was time for a flooring upgrade and asked me to find some stylish floor options for dogs that pee. So, I consulted all my architecture pals & some senior animal NGO workers for the options. And here, I’ve compiled them all in a blog for your reference. So do read through and let me know how it goes!
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Top Insights
- Vinyl tiles, stone, epoxy & laminate floors are the best moisture-resistant and anti-pee absorption flooring options for dogs that pee.
- You can choose the best flooring for dogs that pee by checking its water-resistance, grip, friction, subfloor compatibility and overall maintenance.
- Linoleum & vinyl flooring, ceramic tiles and stone tiles are literally the most affordable options when it comes to choosing the best flooring for dogs that pee.
- Top Insights
- How to Choose the Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee on a Budget?
- What's the Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee?
- 1. Vinyl Flooring
- 2. Laminated Floors – Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee!
- Write to Rank: Architecture & Home-decor Blogging Services for Brands, Firms & Magazines
- 3. Hardwood Flooring for Dogs that Pee
- 4. Strand Woven Bamboo Floors
- 5. Stone Tiles – Best Flooring for Dogs that Pee
- 6. Linoleum (One of the Most Durable & Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee)
- 7. Cork Flooring
- 8. Ceramic Tiles – Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee
- 9. Resin or Epoxy Floors – One of the Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee
- Summing Up
- Smart Backlinking Starts Here!
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- External Resources
How to Choose the Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee on a Budget?
Well, the best flooring for dogs that pee should be one that doesn’t absorb or spread their urine. But hey, are there any other flooring factors you should DEFINITELY think about? Let’s check!
- Water-resistance: Well, water-resistance is definitely one of the most important factors. After all, you don’t want the dog pee to get absorbed or cause stains or odors from your flooring, right? So definitely avoid those carpet and marble floors!
Ceramic or porcelain tiles are good too, just make sure to grout them properly. Otherwise, go for vinyl or laminate – they’re the best!
- Durability & Scratch-resistance: Dogs will totally scritch-scratch and dig up their nails on the floor. So it’s better to choose durable materials like vinyl, porcelain or laminate, especially in busy spots.
- Ease of Cleaning: While those might not be intentional, dog pee & poo accidents happen! So, it’s best to pick easy-to-wipe vinyl, porcelain tile or hardwood floors to save time!
- Grip & Friction: So, we all know that dogs need coarse, bumpy or textured surfaces to pierce their nails for grip and balance. Hence, it’s best to avoid those smooth or mirror polished modern tiles altogether!
- Cost: I think budget might be another crucial factor for choosing the best flooring or dogs that pee! So, I must warn you that while hardwood or porcelain tiles are quite expensive, ceramic or laminate floors are more budget-friendly!
- Ease of Maintenance: The best flooring options for dogs that pee are definitely the easy-to-sweep and mop tiles, say hardwood, vinyl or porcelain! It’s even better if they don’t have any rugs, as those will absorb the pee, whatsoever.
- Sub-floors: The best flooring for dogs that pee doesn’t go well with all types of subfloors. For example, vitrified tiles won’t work on hardwood or uneven concrete floors, and vinyl tiles won’t stick to cracked concrete subfloors. So, if you’re unsure, it’s best to consult our experts beforehand!
What’s the Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee?
While I usually recommend using coarse or textured tiles, stone or hardwood floors for big or exotic dogs, the best ones for you obviously depend on your personal design choices and budget. So, here a few options that you can explore:
1. Vinyl Flooring
| Cost of Vinyl Flooring | ₹60 – 200 or $2 – 9 per square foot |
| Available Textures | Luxury Vinyl, Stone Plastic Composite, Wood Plastic Composite, Wire Brushed, Hand scraped & Distressed |
Yes, vinyl! Especially, the high-end luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is a boon for paw parents, especially those who fear pee accidents and stains. Like, vinyl flooring doesn’t absorb any dog pee; so it’s just simple wiping and mopping with soap.
Also, this one’s pretty durable, scratch-resistant and waterproof ; it won’t absorb any dripping dog pee from your rugs or carpets. And you know what? Vinyl tiles are so comfortable and rough that they’ll provide a good traction to your dog’s feet, minimizing falls and injuries!
Furthermore, you have two options with vinyl flooring – luxury vinyl planks & luxury vinyl tiles. Vinyl planks usually look the same as hardwood floors and are quite softer on bare paws, while the tiles mimic the look of ceramic tiles and are really very glossy!
But yes, vinyl tiles, which is literally the best flooring for dogs that pee, has some problems too! Let’s check those:
2. Laminated Floors – Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee!
| Average Price | ₹80 – 450 or $6 – 14 per square foot |
| Laminated Floors Types | Smooth laminate flooring, Textile laminate, Glued Laminate, Plastic Laminate, Direct Pressure Laminate |
Well, we know that laminate flooring feels harder and has a much greater dog pee absorption rate than vinyl has! But, thanks to its plastic or polyester coating on top, laminate has the best pee stain resistance of all! So, no yellow or foul smelling floors with this one.
One more thing is that laminate flooring is durable like anything! You’ll see that it doesn’t whiten or crack when your scratch-loving dogs, say terriers or huskies, scratch on it. Also, this one repels all your pet dust – hair, nails and drools like a pro!
You can also tweak your laminated flooring to look like hardwood, stone, concrete or core! You just need to pick the strips of your choice and lay them in any herringbone, basketweave or chevron patterns as desired!
But hey! Is there anything that might go wrong with laminates (which are literally one of the best flooring for dogs that pee?) Let’s find out below!
3. Hardwood Flooring for Dogs that Pee
| Estimated Price | ₹400 – 2,000 or $3 – 25 per square foot |
| Best Hardwood Floor Varieties | Hickory, Maple, White Oak, Cherry, Hard Maple & Walnut |
There’s nothing homeowners hate about hardwood floors. After all, they are so robust, textured and grainy that they uplift the curb appeal in no time! But hey! Did you know that hardwood is one of the best flooring for dogs that pee as well?
Well, hardwood floors have a thin polyurethane coat that doesn’t absorb and stain due to dog pee easily. However, it’s really important that you wipe it asap, as it may seep into the wood cracks and damage your subfloor.
Moreover, hardwood is quite antibacterial and keeps a check on all those harmful dog pee bacteria like E.Coli or Proteus SPP. I also find it easy to clean off all my pet Frenchies hair, drool and nails from hardwood floors. It doesn’t really adhere to anything!
However, just like other best flooring for dogs that pee, hardwood flooring has its own set of cons too! Let’s check those:
Quick Tip: You can also use different softwood floors, say rosewood or tigerwood, but strictly limit those only to the feeding areas as those might scratch and warp during play.
4. Strand Woven Bamboo Floors
| Strand Woven Bamboo Cost | Roughly ₹300 or $3 – 10 per square foot |
| Available Variations | Carbonized, Stained, Direct-print, Hand scraped, Hand sculpted & Click Lock. |
Ah! My most favorite of all! So, strand woven bamboo flooring is a literal treat to the eyes! It’s ethnic, grainy and looks so regal that you can literally use it all around the house! And did I mention that it’s so dense that the dog pee won’t reach and damage your subfloor?
Apart from that, strand woven is also exceptionally water-resistant; it won’t warp, buckle or turn moldy even if the pee is not wiped immediately. Plus, it’s sustainable and quite eco-friendly, making it a great option for environmentally conscious petowners.
Besides, bamboo flooring maintains an even temperature throughout; Trust me, your short-haired Frenchies or Beagles won’t have a problem with the heat & cold.
But are there any reasons why bamboo isn’t the best flooring for dogs that pee? Let’s check below!
Quick Tip: Always use low VOC or formaldehyde-free hard wax or natural oil coats to top off the bamboo floors for your furry friends.
5. Stone Tiles – Best Flooring for Dogs that Pee
| Stone Tile Price | ₹30 – 120 or $5 – 20 per square foot |
| Recommended Stone Varieties | Slate, Granite, Quartz, Sandstone, Kotah, etc. |
If your dog’s a playful brat, always scratching, ‘roobing’ and you know painting that yellow liquid all over your floors, then stone tiles are the best option for you! Now, stone tiles are completely non-porous; they won’t absorb any pee, nor leave any permanent stains (apart from marble, obviously!).
There are two type of stone tiles – glazed and unglazed. Glazed stone tiles have a glass-like layer which is one of the most easy-to-wipe and best flooring for dogs that pee, while non-glazed ones are rough and textured; perfect for scratch-loving dogs.
I’ve also noticed that stone tiles provide a good grip and traction to old & injured dogs. And since they feel cool and pleasant underfoot, they are literally a boon in tropical climates.
But does stone flooring (one of the best flooring for dogs that pee) have any potential drawbacks? Let’s check:
6. Linoleum (One of the Most Durable & Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee)
| Estimated Linoleum Price | ₹50 – 300 or $2 – 10 per square foot |
| Types of Linoleum Flooring | Solid-coloured Linoleum, Marble Linoleum, Flecked Linoleum & Patterned One |
Linoleum flooring might be a relatively new material, but is an excellent option to withstand small pee accidents for a short time. Yes, it obviously has more limitations like poor durability, scratch & dust resistance, but on the other hand, it’s extremely affordable too!
Today, most people install linoleum rolls under smooth plywood or concrete floors. But, I also recommend sealing the seams with extra heat welding or caulking for added moisture protection.
You can also consider adding metal or plastic edging trims for a decorative touch along the baseboard line.
Potential Cons of Linoleum (One of the Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee):
7. Cork Flooring
| Average Cork Flooring Price | ₹150 – 300 or $3 – 12 per square foot |
| Available Varieties | Corkoleum, Floating Cork, APC Cork & Tiled Cork |
Cork is another best flooring for dogs that pee! I mean, it’s antibacterial, mold resistant and easy to clean; just needs daily sweeping and mopping. Besides, it maintains an even temperature and feels warm underfoot, even for short haired dogs like pugs and bulldogs.
And though it can get scratched easily, it’s perfect for older dogs with mobility issues due to its softness and joint-pressure-reduction properties.
However, there are some potential cons due to which cork isn’t the best flooring for dogs that pee. Let’s check those:
Quick Tip: It’s advisable to finish cork flooring with a regular, water-based polyurethane sealant for better durability and moisture control.
8. Ceramic Tiles – Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee
| Ceramic Tile Market Price | ₹30 – 100 or $5 – 40 per square foot |
| Ceramic Tile Market Options | Glazed, Unglazed, Saltillo, Textured, Matte or Polished Tile |
Just as we saw, almost every natural material resists dog pee absorption and ceramics are no different! In fact, ceramic, a fusion of high quality clay, ceramics and zirconium, is naturally waterproof; it doesn’t absorb pee, nor does it leave any stains.
Most of my Indian clients also love ceramic tiles for their cold, sleek feel, especially for short haired pugs and Frenchies. Plus, they are very hard and scratch-resistant (they really withstand regular biting & wear and tear) like a pro!
But here are some potential ceramic tile drawbacks that you need to take care of
9. Resin or Epoxy Floors – One of the Best Flooring for Dogs That Pee
| Resin Flooring Price | ₹30 – 150 or $3 – 12 per square foot |
| Recommended Resin Flooring Options | PMMA (Polymethyl Meth acrylate), Polyurethane (PU) & Epoxy |
Well, a resin floor might sound too creative and artistic at the first glance, but this one is literally a boon for older dogs who can’t hold their pee. First, resin floors are 100% waterproof; no spills and stains with them. Plus, they are easy to clean and mop too!
One of my friends also told me that her resin flooring is quite hard and bears all the scratches and bites from her pet Golden Retriever, Bella. And since it minimizes bacteria and mold growth too, Bella’s having the time of her life, with lesser vet visits.
However, resin floors do have their own share of potential cons. I’ve mentioned them below:
Summing Up
FAQs
Yes, dog urine does ruin any regular ceramic, porcelain or vitrified tile floors. Well, dog urine is acidic. So, it burns all the sealant in the grout with time, and leads to cracks, warps and a slight bumpiness in the tile level.
Air freshners, vinegar, perfumes or even diluted baking sodas kill the smell of dog urine in the house. But if you want an eco-friendly solution, you can also make bio-enzymes! Just mix citrus peels, jaggery and water in a 3:1:10 ratio, and you are done!
You can try putting strong, pungent citrus, vinegar or chili smells to stop your dog from peeing on the living room floor. Alternately, you can also brew some fresh coffee grounds, and mix a spoon in over 1 gallon of water to get rid of the smell.
Most acidic agents like vinegar, baking soda & bioenzymes usually neutralize dog pee. Like, they break the complex protein structure of the urine, prevent smells & eliminate odors easily.
Conclusion
So now that you know some of the best flooring options for dogs that pee, we hope that you stop stressing too much about your pet’s pee! Simply pick a floor of your choice, select a shade or design and contact our designers to install & season them for you.
But if you are looking for some more hardwood or laminate floors for dogs, then maybe our other blogs will help you out more!
External Resources
- Learn how to pick the best vinyl flooring from Utah State University
- Explore the basics of laminated flooring from Oklahoma State University Extension
Meet the Author:
Shruti Soni
I'm a digital storyteller, weaving narratives around design with over 2 years of experience in content writing and SEO. My passion lies in demystifying architecture, offering designer insights you can use, all delivered in a clear and engaging way.
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