Top 7 Flooring Types for Dogs that Pee on Them (Stain Resistant Flooring Guide)

It’s not unusual for dog owners to end up searching for flooring for dogs that pee! Even the best pet training doesn’t eliminate the risk of accidents, especially for puppies just learning the “ins and outs” of housetraining and older dogs struggling with medical conditions and slowed reaction times. 

The good news for pet owners is that there are several flooring types more resistant to stains and pet odors and are easier to clean when needed. Replacing your home’s current flooring with something durable ensures a cleaner, more comfortable environment for everyone in the family and less stress and hassle if you do need to clean up after your pet. First, note some reminders when choosing floors for homes with pets, and then check out 7 choices of flooring for dogs that pee.

What Is the Most Durable Flooring for Pets?

First, consider what makes the best flooring for dogs and pets in general, and especially for animals struggling with health concerns, limited mobility, and other issues. You can then ensure you choose a safe, comfortable floor material for your pet as well as one that’s easy to clean.

Note if you need flooring that resists scratching from a pet’s nails. Some pet owners file or buff down a dog’s nails, so scratching might not be an issue with all dogs and other pets. A dog’s size also affects whether or not it scratches the floor, as heavier dogs dig into flooring far easier than small lap dogs! For larger dogs with long, sharp nails, ensure you choose scratch-resistant flooring.

Also, note your dog’s need for traction and especially older dogs with limited mobility or joint problems. Slick floors can mean sliding and added pressure on their joints. As with older humans, it’s possible for a dog to break a hip or other joint or suffer other serious injuries from slipping on slick flooring. 

Lastly, consider if shedding is an issue with your pet. Pet hair gets ground into carpet fibers easily, especially longer fibers. Unless you’re prepared to vacuum every day, it’s best to choose a flooring option that resists trapping pet hair and other irritants.

Now that you’ve considered some added factors in choosing flooring for dogs that pee check out 7 popular options you might consider for your home.

1. Urine for it Now! Hardwood Flooring for Dogs

Hardwood is an excellent option for flooring for dogs that pee, cats, and other pets, for a variety of reasons. One is it’s easy to sweep pet hair and dander as well as dust and other debris from hardwoods. This keeps your home clean while also ensuring floors always look their best.

Solid hardwoods with a dense, durable coating also help repel liquids, which makes it easier to clean up after an accident. However, it’s vital you remove urine and other liquids as quickly as possible from hardwoods, as they will eventually absorb into those floors; once that happens, it becomes very difficult to extract them and avoid ruining those floorboards.

Soft woods might also show scratches more easily than other flooring. The best woods for resisting scratches from pet nails are dense, exotic woods, including cherry, rosewood, and tigerwood; however, these are also typically the most expensive wood flooring options!

Some hardwood floor coatings might also offer a slick surface without much traction, which can be an issue for older dogs with balance and mobility issues or even younger, more energetic dogs who love to run at full speed around the house! A slick floor can mean not being able to stop easily, which can risk more collisions with furniture and other items in the home.

It's important to regularly polish the floors as well to protect and remove scratches. 

2. Bamboo Floors for Pets That Pee on Them

You might wonder why bamboo is listed separately from wood flooring for dogs that pee; the simple answer is that bamboo isn’t technically a wood but an exotic, woody grass! Bamboo is still highly preferred as flooring because of its density, making it a durable option that also resists scratching and liquids.

Homeowners also appreciate that bamboo is very eco-friendly as it grows and replenishes itself quite quickly. It is also harvested with little to no damage to its surrounding ecosystem. It’s one downside, however, is that it can be a bit pricier than other options.

3. Stone Tile as Waterproofing Flooring for Pets

Stone tile is dense and durable, making it scratch-resistant and very easy to clean. Stone also resists liquids and stains, so it’s easy to clean up after a pet’s accident. Natural stone also comes in a wide range of color tones and shades, so you’re sure to find something that matches your home’s décor!

Some stone tiles are slicker than others, so note if you need something with a more porous surface, which offers more traction. Avoid slick marble and other smooth stones if you’re worried about older or more energetic pets, and choose naturally bumpy slate instead. Note that stone is also typically more expensive than other flooring but lasts for decades with proper sealing and maintenance.

4. Laminate, an Affordable Flooring for Dogs That Pee!

Laminate floors are known for their durability. Laminate floors have a hard plastic coating over a high-quality photograph so that they resemble other flooring materials, including wood or stone, and that plastic coating repels dirt, dust, and other debris, including pet hair and waste!

The downside to laminate floors is that they are very hard underfoot, so they’re not always comfortable for pets to lounge or even sit on, and they might also offer a slick surface with little traction. That plastic coating can also seem a bit artificial for some homeowners who might appreciate natural wood or more traditional carpeting.

5. Vinyl Tile Offers Durable Flooring for Pets That Pee

Vinyl is a favorite flooring option for kitchens and bathrooms and also makes great flooring for dogs that pee, as it’s very resistant to liquids and easy to clean. Vinyl is also soft underfoot, making it a comfortable surface for dogs to relax or walk on.

As with other flooring materials, it’s vital to note if the surface of a vinyl tile offers the traction your dog needs, as some vinyl designs are somewhat smooth and slick. A homeowner also needs to ensure they’re using the correct cleaning methods and products on vinyl, as certain cleansers might strip their coatings, and most don’t need added wax, which only builds up and collects dirt and grime.

6. Ceramic Tile Flooring for Pets

Ceramic tile has an advantage over vinyl in that it offers a more natural material that homeowners appreciate, but ceramic is not as expensive as a stone and some wood floors. The natural tones of ceramic also offer a rich look that adds instant charm to a home’s interior.

Made from dense, durable clay, ceramic also naturally repels liquid and stains; however, that density almost ensures that a dropped glass or plate will shatter! Ceramics also need sealing over the years, and, as with vinyl tile, it’s vital that you use the right cleansers on the tile to avoid damaging its sealant and surface.

7. Is Carpet a Good Flooring for Dogs That Pee?

Carpet is soft underfoot and provides lots of traction for dogs. However, carpet is usually the least favorite option of flooring for dogs that pee, as carpet fibers absorb liquid and stains rather easily. Carpet also holds pet hair and dander, so it needs to be cleaned often, if not even daily, in homes with pets, especially if anyone in the family has allergies or other sensitivities.

To keep your home clean and free of pet stains and odors, choose nylon or polyester carpeting. Also, pay attention to the carpet “pile,” meaning the yarns that make up carpet surfaces. Carpet yarns are looped into place and then sewn onto carpet backing; the “cut” pile has those top loops cut, whereas the “loop” pile keeps the loops intact. Loop pile might trap and hold more liquid and other debris, whereas cut pile is often easier to clean and won’t catch a pet’s nails as easily.

How Do I Protect My Floor From Dog Urine?

Even if you invest in the most durable, stain-resistant flooring on the market, it’s good to take some extra steps still to protect your home’s floors from dog urine. One simple option is to invest in removable tiles to use where your dog tends to sleep. Carpet tiles and interlocking rubber mats provide added cushioning for dogs and can also be pulled up and replaced if needed; rubber mats are also especially easy to clean. 

Proper hardwood and stone floor sealing also adds a protective layer to the floor, helping keep urine and other liquids from seeping into their lower layers. Regular, professional floor cleaning also removes traces of urine and other debris from floors that regular cleaning might overlook. Carpet cleaning is especially vital to remove urine that may have soaked through to the underlying carpet padding.

How to Repair Dog Damage to Hardwood and Other Flooring

If your pet has had an accident or if you notice your home’s floors have taken a beating from their nails, don’t despair! Wood filler can address deep gouges to hardwood floors; sand down the damaged board slightly, fill in the gouge with filler, and then stain it to match the existing boards.

For deep gouges beyond repair with simple filler or for lots of scratches over a floor’s entire surface, contact a floor cleaner or hardwood floor refinishing contractor about refinishing that floor completely. Professional sanding removes scratches and allows for a fresh coat of paint or stain. Ask your floor contractor the best color for covering new scratches as well, so they’re not as noticeable over time!

For pet accidents on wood floors, look for wood bleach at the local hardware or home improvement store. Wood bleach can remove stains and their resultant odors from floors. If wood bleach doesn’t work, you might need to replace the affected planks.

If your pet has had an accident on carpeting or other flooring, blot it as much as possible; avoid rubbing the stain, as this can push it deeper into that flooring material. Use a cleaner appropriate for the flooring type; if this is ineffective, it’s time to call a flooring contractor for a deep clean or to see about replacing that damaged flooring.

A Word from the Flooring Experts

Kansas City Flooring Pros is proud to bring this information to our readers, and we hope you find it useful! If you’re in the Kansas City area and are still curious about the best flooring for dogs that pee, or are in the market for beautiful new floors for your home, give us a call. Our flooring company is an expert in everything flooring services. We carry a variety of options with all the latest styles of carpet, hardwood, and tile, and we stand behind all our work with a full guarantee you can trust!