Dogs and cats spend their lives at floor level. They sleep on rugs, roll on floors, curl up on the sofa and groom their paws afterwards. So the surfaces they touch most are worth choosing carefully.
Floors: choose natural over vinyl
Vinyl and many laminate floors are made with PVC. Flexible PVC usually contains plasticisers such as phthalates, which the CDC describes as widely used in vinyl flooring.
Natural linoleum is made from linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flour and limestone on a jute backing. It's warm, quiet underfoot, naturally inhibits bacteria and is easy to mop.
Rugs: natural fibre, natural backing
Some stain-resistant carpets are treated with PFAS, the "forever chemicals" used to repel oil and water.
Sisal and jute rugs on a natural latex backing skip the plastics. Sisal is one of the toughest natural fibres, which suits busy paws.
Wood: oil and wax, not plastic film
PU and melamine polishes form a plastic film that can scratch and flake. Plant-oil and wax finishes soak into the grain, and scratches can be spot-repaired with a little more oil.
Upholstery: skip the leatherette
Tomato leather is PU-free, biodegradable and wipes clean, for sofas, chairs and the pet bed you'll inevitably share.
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