Are Concrete Floors A Good Option If You Have Pets At Home?

As a pet owner, one of your biggest concerns has to be the condition and cleanliness of your home. It needs to be safe for both you and your little furry friend(s). But what if you’re considering a flooring option that could present problems? In this article, we’ll take a look at whether concrete floors are good options if you have pets at home. We’ll also touch upon some of the most common problems associated with this flooring type. But first, let’s take a look at why people like using concrete as their flooring material.

 

Why do people choose concrete over other materials?

More often than not, anyone who has just moved into a new space will be looking to design it in such a way that makes activities easier for them. So if you’re thinking about how your floors should look and what they should be made of, it might be worth considering this popular option.

Concrete is known for being both durable and long-lasting. In fact, there are many homeowners who have been using the same concrete flooring option throughout the years without any problems whatsoever. This means that you can enjoy its benefits for quite some time before getting around to changing it completely or giving it an overhaul so that it looks as good as new.

 

(Image credit: The Baked Tile Company)

Do concrete floors scratch easily?

Concrete is a very durable flooring option that can last for decades which means that yes, they do scratch easily, but the thing is, it’s much easier to fix than other flooring types. While this is not an issue if you plan on using the surface as a worktop or for dining, it may cause problems if you intend to place furniture and other items straight on top of it without using rugs.

If your pet’s claws come into contact with these surfaces often, expect them to show marks quickly. You can avoid this however by investing in some heavy-duty floor runners.

Concrete floors are not kind to paws, they’re cold and hard which is why we highly recommend placing some indoor-outdoor rugs or large mats down first. If your pet has already created a habit of scratching your new concrete flooring, you may need to take additional steps to discourage the behavior.

Are concrete floors good choices for areas with high traffic?

Yes! One of the reasons why many homeowners prefer this flooring option is because it’s very durable and long-lasting which means that if you have an area in the home that receives a lot of traffic, then concrete is a perfect choice. In other words, it’ll remain scratch-free for several years. This also makes these surfaces easy to maintain as they’re impermeable so all you need to do is sweep up dust and debris every once in a while and mop up any spills using a cleaning solution.

Scratches, dents, and pet nails may be problems but the lack of permeability prevents these surfaces from being damaged by high-traffic areas. Of course, you’ll have to take this into consideration if you have young children at home as they can damage it too. 

 

 

What about stains?

Concrete floors are relatively easy to clean which makes them very popular with homeowners who have pets. This is especially true when it comes to urine stains as liquids won’t penetrate or seep through the surface making it a lot easier to clean up after your pet’s mishap.

In order to remove any smaller stains from concrete surfaces, you can simply use a solution of water and vinegar which will cut through the grime with no problems. Also, make sure that you don’t use industrial-strength vinegar or detergents as they can damage the surface. In case of bigger spills, such as pet urine, be sure to dilute it first before mopping since this type of stain can be difficult to clean otherwise.

What about odors?

Concrete is a porous surface so it tends to absorb odors relatively quickly rather than masking them which means that if your pet makes the mistake of urinating on floors, there’s a good chance that you’ll still smell it even after cleaning the affected area.

When it comes to odors, urine is by far the worst culprit as it has a very strong ammonia-like scent that will remain until you clean up after your pet. Now, if your pet makes the mistake of peeing somewhere other than the litter box inside the house, this might not be an issue at all as these are generally short-lived.

But what if they make the effort to do their business outside but still leave that pungent smell? You can help reduce or eliminate it completely by cleaning thoroughly with vinegar and water solution.

So, is it worth investing in concrete flooring if you have pets? It’s a popular choice for modern homes because of its durability and ease of maintenance. But like with any other type of surface, there are pros and cons to consider before making your decision.

If you plan on using the space as an area where people will be walking around or dining, then scratches may not pose much of an issue at all. You also need to take into account how active your pet is throughout the day since this can dictate whether or not they’re likely to scratch up surfaces.