Ceramic and porcelain tile no matter what form it is in, is in and of itself impervious, but the grout lines are not. Again, the grout lines must be as small as is humanly possible and the grout lines must be sealed with a commercially available sealer. Don’t seal it and that urine spot problem grows when you leave your home and the family pet urinates repeatedly in the same spot. It must be treated with a sealer and that sealer must be re-applied every few years. You will never know all the hidden places where the urine sits until it dries on the surface.

The sense of smell is so good on most dogs and cats that they are able to smell urine or a marking from a previous resident of the property no matter what one does. Their first job as they move in as the new feline or canine resident of that property is to mark that property as belonging to them. This is a tradition with both species and housebroken has nothing to do with it. This is an instinct going back through evolution of the species.

My personal experience is to use the high end sheet vinyl, carefully work with the installer and arrange for the seams to be in locations not easily accessible to your pet.

With other hard forms of flooring just be certain to clean and reseal every 3-5 years depending on exposure.

Other point of note:

If you want to have bathroom rugs look very carefully. Both dogs and cats are attracted to the rubber backing which prevents the rug from slipping on the floor. To some, urinating on this is a virtual obsession. If you want the rugs, go ahead and get them but make dead certain that you don’t leave them down when the shower or other portions are being used.

I am a renter; and I have a dog, and a cat. They are both well trained as to where to go potty, etc. My concern is the nails for both, and scratches. I will need to let my landlord (great guy) know what is best; but to also let him choose as it is HIS home. He needs to pick something that will give him resale value, but I also do not want to endanger my pets hips with the laminate. I was looking at the wood-like porcelain. Anyone have any success with this? I plan on using many rugs, and have pet beds already.

Thank you,

Jennifer

This may sound crazy, I am a first time homeowner. With concrete floors where do you buy it? Do you buy concrete, mix it and lay it or do you got to a store for flooring and it comes in tiles or something? I hope I don’t sound really stupid I just would look to know more about concrete flooring

Richard,
Regarding your regrets for not having had you cat de-clawed, please go online and research the effects on animals. Veterinarians compare it to our having our fingers removed up to the first joint. It is a horrible, cruel practice; I am appalled that the author of this article brought it up as an option, & I am going to comment on it.

Pamela Maxfield

I don’t believe in declawing, although our Maine Coon, who passed recently, came to us declawed. I simply trim the nails of my other two cats. It has made a tremendous difference (they aren’t trying to shred furniture, etc., too).