You are here | Home | Tech/Blog | Blog | Why Cement Floors Are Pet Friendly

WHY CEMENT FLOORS ARE PET FRIENDLY

Pets have become an integral part of the family and therefore should be considered when choosing the flooring throughout your home. Not only must you think of the comfort of your four-legged friends, but the maintenance and care of the floor also needs to be top of mind (think muddy paws, claws, and the occasional pet accident).
​
Few flooring materials are as pet friendly as cement. Here are some of the great benefits of cement-based flooring:

• They are non-toxic as they do not emit VOC’s which can be harmful to yourself and your pets
• They do not harbour odours (great news for pets still being house trained), or fleas and other critters
• They offer a smooth seamless surface which is easy to clean
• They create a comfortable indoor environment - cool on hot summer days & retains warmth in cold winter months. 

There are still a few crucial aspects to take into consideration when investing in a timeless cement floor for you and your furry companion. 
Even though cement is well known for being a tough and durable finish, scratching caused by pet claws, could still occur. This is not isolated to cement-based finishes and occurs on other finishes as well, such as laminate, wood, and vinyl to name a few. Each type of flooring has its own durability levels and maintenance requirements, so it is crucial to choose the right match for your household, and take appropriate preventive measures to protect all floor types from pet-related wear and tear.

To help you navigate the installation and upkeep of a cement floor in your home, here are some helpful do’s and don’ts below - 

Do:

Seal your cement-based floor finish:

• Sealed cement floors are generally scratch-resistant, although not completely scratch-proof. Consider using a more durable sealer for your interior floors such as Cemcrete’s CreteSeal 2K, with a film thickness of 60 microns, making it even more resistant to scratching and staining.
• Sealed cement floors are more resistant to pet stains and odours. When the pores in cement are sealed with a protective film-forming sealer, pet urine can't seep into the floor and leave behind lingering odours and stains. However, it is still advisable to clean up any pet urine as soon as possible to maintain the floor's pristine condition.

Clean & Maintain Regularly:

• Sealed cement floors are easy to clean. When your pets shed fur or race through your home with rain-soaked or muddy paws, cleaning up is easy. Just sweep and use a micro-fibre mop (with water and CreteCare Mop & Shine) to keep your floors spotless.
• Sealed cement floors do not trap fleas, mites, or other pet pathogens. Pets shed animal dander (flakes of skin) that can aggravate allergies; smooth surfaces, such as cement, don’t trap dander, making it easy to remove during routine cleaning. Additionally, sealed cement floors won't harbour fleas or mites that your pet may bring into the home.
• While sealed cement floors are more resistant to scratching, you can increase their durability by using CreteCare Floor Polish. This will provide an additional layer of protection against playful, rambunctious pets and their claws.

Don't:

Forget Pet Nail Care:

• Keep pet nails trimmed to prevent unnecessary scratching. 

Forget Preventive Measures:

• Use rugs or mats in high-traffic areas to provide extra protection for your floors (avoid plastic / rubber-backed rugs and mats as these could lead to Plasticizer Migration - the process in which plasticizers used in plastic / rubber can leach out over time [read more about this here]).

Skip Important Steps:

• Ensure the floor substrate, decorative cement finish and sealer(s), are allowed sufficient  time to fully cure and reach their full strength for best protection. 

By following these do's and don'ts you can ensure that your cement floors remain in great condition while providing a comfortable and safe environment for you and your beloved pets.

For more information on caring for your Cemcrete floor finish, click here.

GET IN TOUCH
Let us help guide you through your Cemcrete journey

contact us