1 in 5 households nationwide adopted a dog or cat between March 2020 and May 2021. According to the American Pet Products Association, US pet ownership is at an all-time high as nearly 70% of households have a dog or cat. These furry friends are even impacting the housing market! A survey conducted by SunTrust Mortgage found that 33% of millennials purchased their first home to have more space and a better yard for their dog. Of the millennials who hadn't yet purchased, 42% stated that their pet or the desire to have one would be a major factor when buying their first home. 

If you're an animal lover, you likely want to make your home as functional as possible for your pets. Here are some durable materials to consider when remodeling or upgrading your furniture:

ceramic and porcelain tile

These are some of the most pet-friendly floors. Ceramic tile is the lower-cost option. Both ceramic and porcelain are easy to clean and very stain-resistant compared to porous natural stones like marble. For peak durability, choose a tile with a PEI (Porcelain-Enamel Institute) rating of 3 or higher.

luxury vinyl

LVT or vinyl planks are another cost-effective choice with a wide range of designs. Luxury vinyl is waterproof and fairly resistant to scratches. It's softer than tile and will be more comfortable for pets. Vinyl is also the quieter option when it comes to clicking nails.

terrazzo

Terrazzo is making a huge comeback. When sealed correctly, it can withstand a high level of wear and tear. The current production of terrazzo makes it more durable than ever and the materials that can be incorporated provide endless design possibilities.

carpet

Generally, carpet isn't the best option with pets as it's harder to clean, less durable, and tends to retain smell. If you decide on carpet, low pile will hold up the best against claws and it can be vacuumed more effectively than high pile. Nylon and polyester are the most popular with pet owners because they can withstand a fair amount of activity and they're easy to clean. Wool is another material to consider for carpets and rugs. It's highly resilient and its overlapping structure protects the inner fiber from dirt and liquid. The brands StainMaster and Mohawk make carpets specifically designed to hold up against pet damage and stains.

leather

Real leather is very thick and unlikely to be punctured by your pet's claws. Both real and faux leather repel odors and they're incredibly easy to clean. Keep in mind that synthetic leather is less durable, but the good news is many people prefer this material to look a little broken-in and worn!

microfiber/microsuede

Low pile fabrics are less likely to trap smells and are much harder for pets to hook their claws into. Microfiber is an affordable option and isn't difficult to clean thanks to its tight weaves. Pet hair can easily be vacuumed and it does a good job of blocking stains.

velvet

Are you surprised velvet made the list? It's often seen as a high maintenance material, but it's becoming more and more popular among pet owners. Velvet is woven but the threads are cut to create a short dense pile. It's one of the few fabrics that can repel sharp kitty claws since there's no loops to latch. The dense top layer makes it harder for liquids to permeate the surface if they're wiped quickly. If you have young children, large dogs, or pets that are prone to accidents, opt for a synthetic velvet as it will be easier to clean and less likely to crush. 

Something else to consider- if you have a puppy or plan to get one, the dreaded chewing stage can lead to lots of damage. One way to mitigate blemishes is by choosing furniture with metal legs instead of wood.