Laminate with Dogs?

Q: I’m considering installing laminate wood flooring in my home. I have 4 small dogs, and wondered if this wood like laminate flooring is tough enough to withstand 16 little doggy feet running around on it. Does it scratch easily? Is it better for me to use some other type of flooring? Or is laminate wood-like flooring a good choice?
A: Laminate is built for abuse, but when it comes to having pets on floors there are a few precautions and a bit of smart shopping that can be done to ensure your floor will stay in great shape.
The biggest thing here would be to get a high quality laminate (AC4 or AC5 rated being your best bet). I have mentioned in the past that Ryan W., iFLOOR’s VP of Products, has Westhollow South Pacific laminate (South American Walnut to be precise) in his home and his dog Jin who is rather active has yet to scratch the floor. The South Pacific line is in the same category as Pergo Select and Quick Step Perspective as some of the best laminate out there.
The second key factor is a matter of grooming. Keep your furry friends’ nails clipped and take precautions to prevent grit from being dragged onto your floor (place mats at doors and making sure longer hair is trimmed around the paws of your pets) and a good laminate with proper cleaning regime should prove to be a winning combination with your current project.
Actual hardwood is less capable of standing up to the same amount of abrasion abuse as a laminate, which is the primary type of damage your floor will receive from your dogs. With these being smaller dogs, you are less likely to run into issues since less actual weight and pressure are being put onto the floor. So in this case – laminate is your best choice when it comes to a wood floor that will take a beating without showing much wear.