Wood floors and dogs

Can pets and hardwood flooring co-exist peacefully? Millions of homeowners with pets are able to enjoy all the benefits of hardwood flooring without having to stress about man’s best friend destroying them. If you have ever owned a dog , you know the routine.

We provide hardwood floor refinishing equipment rentals, hardwood floor refinishing products, expert advice and reclaimed wood flooring. Wood floors and dogs do not mix. Unless you are prepared to declaw your beautiful furry frien you need to adjust the floor to the dog , not the dog to the floor. Trimming nails is not a comprehensive solution, either. The top layer of finish on engineered wood flooring can be sanded down, and then re-coate to repair dog scratches and other damage.

Engineered wood floors consist of a top layer of solid wood and layers of wood laminate beneath. Consider distressed or hand-scraped hardwoods. Since you lay down area rugs in a misguided attempt to retard the gouging process, your dog finds it a very amusing sport to run after the cat—thus gouging the wood—in all areas except for the area rugs. In a living room and dining room, your dog may probably be there less so hardwood floors will be ok.

In places like a hallway or foyer, it is best to have tile, vinyl or linoleum. Tiles, linoleum and vinyl will not get scratched or scuffed like wood floors. Dog claws are harmless to these types of floors.

Some dogs get excited when the doorbell. Keep your wood floors clean, especially near entrances and frequently traveled areas. Dirt and hair on the ground acts like sandpaper, gouging into the surface of the floor when your dog runs across it, according to Universal Floors.

When choosing the best hardwood floors for dogs , you should also look for hardwood flooring with a high Janka rating. The Janka Hardness Scale measures a wood’s resistance to dents, scratches and wear. In other words, the higher the Janka rating, the more resistant the wood will be to scratches from your pet’s claws. Solid hardwoods should also be avoided.

Pet accidents or spills can permanently damage and warp them. So, if you insist on hardwoo you are better off going with engineered hardwood. Plus, they can easily get scratched up. Full Price Match Guarantee.

Furthermore, wood floors don’t like liquids, so urine and vomit, not to mention the dogs water dish are all potential threats to the wood. Dog and cat urine can stain and discolor wood floors and the bad odors can be very hard to get rid of if urine seeps down the cracks. Hardwood floors make your home elegant and classy.

They also add sophistication and warmth to your home. One of the most common problems with hardwood flooring is that dogs who constantly walk around can scratch the surface. Natural hardwood flooring consists of solid planks of a certain species of. Homeowners with dogs often think a hardwood floor is beyond their reach. Actually, hardwood floors and dogs can live in harmony — with a few rules.

Keep your dog ’s nails trimmed regularly and be sure to wipe up any messes quickly. It is true that pets are tough on wood floors , but you can take steps to minimize the damage. Place a Waterproof Mat under the Water Bowl While cats are typically tidy water drinkers, dogs are not. Soft rubber soles make your dogs easily walking on wood floors or slippy ground. PUPTECK Anti-Slip Dog Socks Pet Paw Protection for Indoor Wear.

Dogs also become habituated to slipping and clawing on wood floors. Don’t do play or command behaviors that encourage the dog to slip on the wooden floors , even though you may think it is cute to watch him slide around. To protect your wood floors , be sure to apply the nail caps to all four paws.

The nail covers are also great for protecting other surfaces such as doors, walls, and furniture from scratches. Though this is one of the most desired types of flooring in a home, it is not the best choice for homes with pets. Pet urine can stain the hardwood , leaving a terrible smell and a dark spot in the wood.

We created Hardwoof as a way to serve dog owners who wanted beautiful wood floors in their homes. Traditional wood flooring markets didn’t offer a viable product to meet the high wear demands of dogs. Almost all of the flooring in our house is hardwood or tile.

We have dogs , hard floors are easier to keep clean than carpeting. Three of our dogs are past their first decade, and our oldest at 13. However, our dog family is getting older.

The dogs don’t intentionally scratch the flooring, but a good play session with a tug of war rope can cause their claws to dig in. Running to the door to greet you in the evening and coming to a sliding stop can leave a huge gouge in the surface of the hardwood floor. Apply nail caps to dog nails to prevent nail scratches on hardwood floors.

Have a friend or family member help you hold the dog if necessary while applying the caps. When a dog is involve it is best to choose a flooring that is not soft. These softer wood floors tend to dent much easier than others, even when you do not have to worry about a dog. A doormat to catch dirt and debris when your dog walks through the door will reduce the gradual dulling of wood floors caused by dust and dirt. Another mat under a dog ’s food and water bowls to prevent spillage and water damage is also a smart idea.

First of all, there are no hard and fast rules on the best flooring for dogs. We have some suggestions, but if you are committed to having, for example, both hardwood and dogs , you can. You just may end up leading a much more pedantic lifestyle when it comes to home maintenance.

We have 1year old oak hardwood upstairs, new (expensive) engineered hardwood through the main house and new plain oak hardwood in the rec room. The 1year old floors have held up best! Would not even know we had dogs.

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