Comfort

• Air pockets make cork soft.cork material image by victor zastol'skiy from Fotolia.com
  
  Though not as soft as carpet, cork is made up of tiny enclosed air pockets, making it somewhat softer than wood or tile. It is warmer because the air pockets act as insulators. It is less sllippery than tile or wood, and doesn't cause static.
  
  

Appearance

• Brown shades of cork flooring hide dirt.wine cork tops image by dpaint from Fotolia.com
  
  Cork flooring comes in a variety of tan and brown tones. It has inherent texture and color variations that beautifully hide dirt from muddy paws and food. If you prefer, you also can buy it in white and select colors.
  
  

Maintenance

• Although cork naturally resists moisture, most cork floors are sealed with urethane for extra protection. Simple vacuuming easily removes pet hair. A barely damp sponge mop will remove pet saliva, pet food and urine.
  
  

Durability

• Trimming dogs' nails will help prolong the life of any flooring.zampa image by UBE from Fotolia.com
  
  Cork is very long-lasting, and its slight give makes it harder to scratch than wood. Unless your pet is a very heavy dog with very long nails, pet wear and tear will have little effect on cork floors.
  
  

Considerations

• Pets and people with allergies will benefit from cork versus carpeting. Cork flooring doesn't give off any kind of gases or shed fibers; hair, dander and pollen don't cling to it; and it resists mold and mildew. Additionally, cork reduces noise, and pets are not inclined to dig at it.