Best Flooring for Cats

Dogs may be considered our proverbial best friends, but since 49 million households own a cat, the U.S. is also home to many feline families. Cats bring a level of companionship and excitement to your home that often outweighs their impact on your home interiors. However, with a few expert tips and the best flooring for cats on your side, you can still prioritize quality flooring in your home.

To help streamline your home transformation, discover our tips for selecting the right flooring for your cats, along with simple solutions for cleaning and maintenance.

What to Consider When Choosing Cat-Friendly Flooring

When you choose long-term flooring for your new or renovated home, consider the interior design style you want in the final result and stay within your budget. Here's what to consider for the well-being of your cat and your floors:

• Scratching: Softer woods or glossy tiles are more susceptible to fine scratches caused by cats. If your cats have especially sharp claws, choose a more durable flooring solution.
• Moisture: Consider how often accidents or spills may occur in the area you're reflooring. You can't always avoid a potty accident, but you can choose to install water-resistant flooring to minimize the risk of stains.
• Comfort: You want your cats to be safe and comfortable on your new floors. Naptime areas call for softer flooring, while high-traffic areas may need something harder and more durable. Also, keep in mind that claws can get caught in grooves.
• Sound: The pitter-patter of tiny feet can be comforting at times. But at night or during focused work, you'll want to choose flooring that's not too noisy when your cats play or get their daily exercise.
• Maintenance: From water spills and potty accidents to the occasional morning gift from outside, cats can make a mess on your floors. Choose flooring for your home that's easy to clean regularly and affordable to maintain.

What Is the Best Flooring for Cat Owners?

The good news is that there are different types of flooring, each with its own benefits for you, your home and your cats. The best flooring for cat owners includes:

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

LVT floors are your ideal solution if you want something luxurious and affordable. Introduce the appearance of natural materials to your home with vinyl that features realistic imagery of stone or ceramic. State-of-the-art technology prints these detailed photographs directly onto vinyl for a polished and durable finish.

Laminate

If you want cat-friendly flooring that realistically resembles the natural look of wood, stone or tile, laminate floors offer various options to match your style. Laminate floors are structurally sound, look beautiful and protect against the wear and tear of daily use.

Tile

Tiles are a wise long-term choice for your home, as they can last for decades if you choose quality materials. Use tiles in high-traffic and moisture-prone areas where your cats often spill or make a mess. Tile floors are a popular choice in kitchens, bathrooms and busy areas like entryways.

Engineered Hardwood

Unlike standard hardwood floors, engineered hardwood is resistant to water thanks to the hardwood veneer layered on top of a plywood base. Engineered hardwood allows cat owners to enjoy the beauty and charm of wooden floors while being durable and affordable.

Bamboo

Bamboo is an eco-friendly flooring choice that's popular for its distinctive visual appeal. Cat owners who choose bamboo floors can have peace of mind that they're making an environmentally responsible decision without jeopardizing durability and style.

Epoxy

Epoxy floors are highly durable, making them a popular choice among pet owners. Epoxy floors are notably durable since a resin coating covers the concrete floor underneath. If you need a waterproof, beautiful and customizable flooring solution for your home with cats, epoxy flooring may be your best bet.

What Is the Best Type of Carpet for Cats?

While hard surface flooring is generally best if you have cats, it won't always work in every room. In places where you need softer flooring but more than an area rug, consider the following:

• Pile: Low-pile carpets are a popular solution for pet owners since the fiber length helps to hold on to dirt and debris, preventing it from spreading all over the house.
• Fiber: Choose synthetic fibers for your flooring to minimize moisture absorption. Synthetic materials, such as polypropylene or nylon, are more durable and stain-resistant.
• Density: The higher the density of your carpets, the lower the chances of spills or stains seeping deep into the fibers.
• Color: Darker colors are less likely to stain, making them a fantastic option for cat owners. Similarly, patterned carpets with different colors also hide minor stains from spills or litter box misses.

How Can Cat Owners Maintain Flooring?

When you live with cats, it can be a challenge to prevent messes and damage altogether. Don't worry! We're here to help with some simple tips to keep your cats and floors in tip-top condition.

Tips for Maintaining Your Floors

Here are a few simple steps to keep your floors in excellent condition when you have cats:

• Clean regularly: Vacuum or wash your floors regularly to prevent hair and dirt from spreading and causing allergies.
• Protect busy areas: Place area rugs or mats under high-traffic areas, such as feeding stations and litter boxes, to protect the flooring underneath.
• Clean accidents immediately: Even the best-trained cats can have an accident. When they make a mess, clean it as soon as possible with pet-friendly supplies to prevent staining and odor buildup.

Cat Grooming Tips to Help Maintain Your Floors

Simplify your floor maintenance by following these cat grooming tips:

• Groom your cats often: Brush and bathe your cats regularly to remove hair and dirt that can fall and collect on your floors.
• Wipe their paws after coming inside: If you have outdoor cats, or even indoor cats who love spending time in the yard, wipe their paws after they've been outside to minimize the dirt they track in.
• Trim their nails periodically: While the clippers may be your cat's nemesis, trimming their nails helps to prevent scratches on your new floors. The ASPCA recommends that cat owners trim their nails every two weeks or as often as every 10 days.

Shop Flooring for Cats at Carpet & Tile Mart

From moving into your next dream home to redoing your existing flooring, any changes in and around your house will impact you and your cats equally.

Looking for the best flooring for cats to spruce up your home? We offer a range of affordable flooring options at 14 locations across the country. Visit one of them today and discover the benefits of flooring with feeling for yourself.