Best Flooring for Cats | Carpet & Timber Flooring Tips for Pets

Your home should be comfortable not only for you, but for your pets. Here’s how you can find out what the best flooring is for both you and your fluffy friends.

What kind of flooring should I choose if I have Cats?

Between hairballs and sharp claws, carpet is usually not a great choice for cat owners. While cats may love the softness of carpet, you’ll be spending a lot of time vacuuming and removing stains and odors. Instead, we recommend laminate or vinyl flooring, both of which are hard wearing, stain resistant, and easy to clean. Our Plantino Laminate flooring line comes in a variety of shades and is pet friendly, making it an ideal choice for pet owners. A light or medium colour can hide scratches and hair better than darker flooring, so keep that in mind when choosing a shade.

While timber flooring may be a better choice than carpet, it may not be the best choice as it is prone to scratches and scuff and requires more care. If you do choose carpet for some of your rooms, encourage your cat to use a scratching post instead of the floor, and clean up any accidents as soon as you can. If you are set on timber, an engineered timber flooring will be a bit more hard-wearing. You’ll want to make sure you choose a durable timber like Spotted Gum, and that you choose a brand that has an extra durable top coating.

Comfortable flooring for Cats at Choices Flooring

It’s important for you and your pets to be comfortable, and while cats do sleep most of the day, they also spend a lot of time jumping and sprinting around. Because of that, you’ll want flooring that has a quiet underfoot and good sound absorption. Rigid flooring can be a good option for pet owners - our Abode range is very popular. It’s anti-slip which makes it safe for pets to run around on, and it’s also 100% waterproof, so spills can be easily cleaned with no damage.

Lay down some easy to wash rugs and make sure your cat has plenty of cozy sleeping spots. Patterned rugs are a great choice since they can hide stains. Be sure to brush your pets regularly and vacuum or clean rugs regularly too to reduce the amount of hair and dander on your floors. This is especially important if you have multiple pets or if someone you lives with has allergies.

When considering comfortable flooring, you’ll also want to think about the underlay. A quality underlay will also help with sound absorption, which is important since cats don’t like loud noises. Additionally, an underlay with a comfortable bounce can be easier on a cat’s joints. Finally, if you’re looking for the ultimate luxury, a heated underfloor can be great for both you and your pets.

Keep floors clean with food and litter mats

While they may spend hours grooming, cats aren’t always the cleanest creatures. By using a feeding mat, you can make cleanup easier if your cat decides to make a mess during dinner. Additionally, a litter box mat can also help prevent litter from being tracked across your home.

Pet-safe blinds and shutters

At Choices Flooring, we also carry blinds and shutters. If you’re getting a new pet, especially a kitten, make sure you choose blinds that don’t have dangling strings. Additionally, choose blinds or shutters that won’t be easily scratched up - we know how much cats love looking out the window.

Find a cat friendly flooring today at Choices Flooring! Stop by a local store or browse online to find the perfect flooring for you and your furry friends.