If, like me, you share your home with pets, I'm sure you will join me in saying that most of the time they bring nothing but joy – a friendly face to return home to after a hard day, a snuggle just when it's needed, a bit of light relief when the going gets tough. That said, it goes without saying that there are couple of downsides.
Designing a pet-friendly home wasn't something high on my list of priorities when we set about renovating our house – but it should have been. Many of the finishes make it so much harder to keep on top of cleaning – the charcoal, riven slate floor that shows up all manner of doggy fur and footprints, and the pale beige loop pile carpet that our late cat just loved to get her claws into being good cases in point.
With another renovation and extension project now in the pipeline (as well as some excited talk of a new feline friend), I am keen that any upgrades we do make are agreeable to all members of the family, both two- and four-legged. One thing I always regret not installing first time around is underfloor heating. However, whenever we visit friends and family who have it in place, the dog spends the entire visit panting and searching for a cold spot to recline upon. With this in mind, I reached out to heating specialists and veterinary experts to get their thoughts on the topic.
Is underfloor heating a good idea for households with pets?
Our old house is a chilly place in which to reside once summer passes (and, to be honest, apart from in a heatwave, only ever feels just a little above tepid). We have radiators, but really they just don't do the job of heating our house very well – largely due to the fact that they are undersized for the open plan layout and are in completely the wrong positions. Underfloor heating would have been such a better option. That said, having seen our Labrador's reaction to it on multiple occasions (unimpressed to say the least), and given that he is often my favourite member of the household, I want to ensure installing it doesn't cause him any discomfort.
Qualified veterinary surgeon, Nicola Bryden, of VetMedi.co.uk, has some reassuring advice for me, particularly given the age of our dog, who will turn 11 in a month's time.
"If the underfloor heating is set to a reasonable ambient temperature (on the cooler end for thicker coated breeds such as Malamutes and Huskies), and there are no abnormal hot or cold sports, I would expect this to cause more comfort than discomfort," she says.
"In fact, for older dogs with joint pains, heat helps relieve tension in the muscles surrounding sore joints, easing stiffness. Having underfloor heating myself, my 11-year old Spaniel loves lying on it, especially in winter after a good walk," Nicola shares.
Dr Sarah Endersby, BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS and global technical manager behaviour at Ceva Animal Health UK, agrees that UFH is not necessarily a bad option for pet owners, particularly in houses like mine where you can really feel the chill in winter.
"Unlike radiators, which create concentrated areas of heat, underfloor heating provides a more even temperature throughout a room and helps remove cold draughts at floor level, where pets spend much of their time."
Nicola Bryden MRCVS has over seven years’ clinical experience in first opinion vet practices, where she has cared for small animals such as cats and dogs.
Sarah qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London and has worked in both mixed and small animal clinics. Sarah then joined Ceva Animal Health UK as a veterinary advisor for 6 years. She worked for International Cat Care for 2.5 years as Veterinary Development Manager and latterly as the Head of the International Society of Feline Medicine. During this time she enjoyed helping veterinary clinics create cat-friendly environments for their patients around the globe. In January 2020 Sarah returned to Ceva Animal Health, joining the Companion Animals Franchise as the Global Technical Manager for Behaviour products.
How can you stop dogs overheating with UFH?
While this advice left me feeling reassured, the fact remains that our dog appears to run hot, perhaps a result of having lived his life in a predominately cold house. So, if and when we do install underfloor heating, what can we do to minimise any discomfort?
Sam Jump, business development manager at Wunda Group , advises that the system you choose will play a big role here, as well as the temperature you set your UFH at.
"Just like people, pets should always have the option to move to a cooler area if they want to regulate their body temperature. This is where thoughtful system design can make a real difference. Underfloor heating can be zoned to control temperatures across different areas of the home, allowing some rooms to be heated less than others where appropriate."
"The key is ensuring that dogs have opportunities to regulate their own temperature. Not all dogs will want to spend extended periods of time on a warm floor," picks up Dr Sarah Endersby.
"Ideally pets should have access to cooler areas of the home as well as to rooms with underfloor heating. This allows them to move between different temperatures according to their preferences," she advises.
"If access between rooms is restricted, dog parents can provide alternative resting options, such as elevated beds, raised platforms to improve airflow, or orthopaedic beds, with an insulated surface and a cooling fabric covering. Fresh drinking water should also always be available, as warmer indoor environments can increase a pet’s water requirements," she continues. "Watch for signs a dog is getting too warm, such as seeking cooler surfaces, panting at rest, or even avoiding a usual sleeping area before the underfloor heating was installed."
Shop dog cooling essentials
This cooling mat is designed to keep your pets cool even on the hottest of days – it rolls up for storage and the cover is removable and machine washable.
The perfect solution for dogs that don't like to lie on warm floors, this bed raises them up while the breathable fabric allows for good airflow on hot days.
The integrated gel in this jacket helps regulate your pet's temperature – while designed for walks on summer days, it could be a solution for UFH hating dogs too.
Sam Jump is the Head of Business Development for Wunda Group. He has spent over a decade of leading product development and industry expertise for the British-owned heating and energy system brand.
Are radiators a better option for dogs?
While all of this advice is definitely swaying me even more towards the idea of underfloor heating, I am still keen to know whether an alternative central heating system could be better for everyone.
As it turns out, according to Dr Sarah Endersby, our current reliance on radiators could be more risky than the UFH I've been dreaming of. "Radiators are generally safe when used correctly, but they can present some risks to pets. Some radiators can become hot enough to cause discomfort when touched, or even potentially minor burns if a pet remains in contact with the surface for a prolonged period," she warns.
"This may be a particular concern for elderly pets, very young pets, or those with reduced mobility that may find it harder to move away if they become uncomfortable. For cats, however, radiator beds (or hammocks) can provide a safer alternative by allowing them to enjoy the warmth without direct contact to the radiator itself."
"It would not be advisable to place any bedding near an active radiator, especially if you have less mobile pets," picks up Nicola Bryden. "Fur can sometimes mask the heat on contact, but the risk of contact burns is increased if they’re unable to move away quickly enough from lying or sitting too close to the radiator."
Should you keep a cooler room for dogs?
In a bid to keep my beloved pooch nice and comfy, I am wondering whether it could be wise to keep one room underfloor heating free.
"Providing access to at least one cooler area of the home is a sensible approach wherever possible," advises Dr Sarah. "Animals, like people, have individual preferences and their comfort requirements can change throughout the day. Having access to a cooler room, such as a utility room, spare bedroom or tiled area, allows pets to move away from warmth if they choose."
This is good news for me as I was actually hoping to avoid retrofitting underfloor heating in certain rooms, although Sam Jump points out that the system I choose could also be a factor here.
"At Wunda, we have something called the Rapid Response system which consists of multilayer pipe integrated into the boards to deliver warmth through the floor. It allows homeowners to zone their home how they like," explains Sam. "So, rooms can be heated or on a setback cooler temperature. This allows pets to stretch out if they prefer a cooler surface against their belly, without compromising the overall comfort and efficiency of the heating system.
“Also, providing access to fresh water, shaded areas and a cooling mat or bed gives pets additional choice, but in most homes, a well-designed underfloor heating system will enhance their comfort rather than detract from it, especially during colder months," he notes.
Does the type of flooring make a difference?
Our extension project will involve a kitchen extension, so I was keen to learn which types of flooring are likely to work best with underfloor heating, as well as pets.
"Underfloor heating systems work best with floor finishes that conduct heat and the generally the best conductors are tiled and stone floors. In the winter, these warm up gently and provide a cosy place for pets to rest," advises Sam Jump. "In the summer, given that the heating systems are likely not running, the floor finish is cool and provides pets a great place to relax and cool off."
Other good options include wooden flooring, but, according to Ian Tomlinson, MD at Chaunceys Timber Flooring, you need to be careful with the wood species you choose. "When choosing wood flooring for homes with dogs, Oak and Ash are excellent choices due to their durability and resistance to wear. We generally advise against softer woods like Douglas Fir, which are more prone to dents and scratches," he says.
Chaunceys Timber Flooring is a family-run company based in Bristol with Ian becoming the Managing Director in 2012. They have been supplying sustainable, high-quality timber flooring to homeowners, award-winning architects, design and build companies, and renowned interior designers since 1988.
FAQs
Do cats like warm floors?
While my dog may seek out cooler spots around the house, my late cat, certainly did not. At times, I would fear she was actually going to sit in the direct flames of our open fire she got so close to it (she didn't by the way, she passed peacefully at the impressively grand old age of 22.)
We are now all at a stage where we thinking about introducing a new cat into the household and I'm interested to know how they're likely to feel about all of this.
"Cats are known to have a higher thermoneutral zone than humans, meaning they are naturally comfortable at warmer temperatures, and often actively seek out warm resting places," explains Dr. Sarah Endersby.
"Cats have a thermoneutral zone at around 30-38 degrees, meaning they need to expend very little energy maintaining their body temperature within this range. By comparison, humans are generally comfortable at lower temperatures. In multi-cat households, a more evenly heated environment may also reduce competition or tension between the cats about preferred warm spots, such as radiators, sunny windowsills or heated areas.
"Dogs are generally comfortable in a room that is between 15 and 23 degrees, but this varies with breed," continues Sarah. "So a dog that is comfy at 15 degrees is probably in a room a cat finds on the chilly side.
"Of course, individual preferences vary," adds Sarah. "Some cats enjoy stretching out on a warm surface, whilst others choose elevated resting places or cooler locations depending on their mood, age, coat type and the ambient temperature."
In order to ensure you live harmoniously with your furry friends, take time to research pet friendly living rooms – it really is possible to design a space that meets the needs of everyone at the same time as looking beautiful. And, if underfloor heating ends up being your final choice, find out how much you can expect to pay.
