How to Protect Hardwood Floors From Dogs
Hardwood floors are the perfect investment for your home. But with pets, keeping these surfaces clean can be a challenge. In this article we will discuss how to protect your hardwood floors from dogs.
Trimming dog nails, laying down throw rugs and getting on a regular cleaning schedule are just some ways to protect the hardwood. These tips will keep the surface looking newer, for longer.
Dogs can ruin your floors in one of two ways – scratches and urine. Scratches tend to be more of a common problem, as urine can be cleaned up easily when dealt with quickly.
How Dogs Damage Hardwood
Scratches
Each time your dog walks on the hardwood, there’s a chance their nails can scratch the surface. Wood is a slippery material to begin with and when they slip their nails will only dig in more.
This reality can even create worse conditions when your dog is running inside. Their nails will dig into the hardwood even further, which can cause deep scratches and leave the floor with permanent damage.
Urine
Dog urine is another common problem with hardwood. If your dog is untrained, they might leave an unwanted surprise on the floor. There’s nothing to worry about if you clean this up immediately.
But if you fail to wipe up dog urine, it will cause damage to the hardwood. It will deteriorate the polyurethane coating and create stains, which will eventually lead to discoloration.
Water
Both dogs and humans are guilty of tracking water into the house. That’s why it’s so important to use door mats at each entryway. Humans can wipe their feet and dogs can walk on the mat to dry their paws.
But dogs are also known to shake off water – especially if it has been raining outside. If this happens on your hardwood floors, make sure to wipe down the surface, as standing water can damage wood.
How to Protect Hardwood Floors From Dogs
The good news is that you can maintain beautiful hardwood floors by following the practices listed below. This will keep the surface clear of scratches and prevent unwanted stains.
1. Keep Nails Trimmed
One of the easiest ways to protect hardwood floors from dogs is to keep your pet groomed. This includes trimming their nails on a regular basis, in order to prevent them from scratching the surface.
You can either trim the dog’s nails, or bring them to a groomer. It’s critical to only remove a small amount of nail. Cutting too far will hurt your dog, because the quick can get cut and cause bleeding.
2. Apply Protective Coating
Most people choose hardwood floors due to their natural look and feel. But you might be surprised to learn that you can apply a scratch-resistant sealant to the surface, for added protection.
Your floors might already have this option, if there is a clear coat on the top. If you’re unsure you could always ask a professional and have them take a look, or provide a quote to spray one on.
3. Use Throw Rugs
Utilizing throw rugs is another way to keep that hardwood looking new. When placed in correct areas of the room, these rugs will prevent your dog from scratching the surface and causing damage.
Throw rugs work best in areas with the most foot traffic. You can place them by each doorway and between connecting interior rooms. This will prevent scuff marks and keep the surface protected.
4. Waterproof the Hardwood
This tip won’t help with scratches, but it will keep your hardwood floors dry. Applying a waterproof coating to the surface will help when it comes time to clean up spills, water and other accidents.
Dogs are known to be messy. They come inside wet and shake off. Water droplets can get everywhere and seep down into the wood. That’s why it helps to protect the surface with a waterproof coating.
5. Supervise Your Dog
This may seem like an obvious reason, but it’s fairly straightforward to implement. Most of the time when dogs create scratches on hardwood floors, it stems from the running on the surface.
If you supervise and train your dog not to do this, the floors will stay in good condition. Try using treats and rewarding your dog when walking. Dogs respond well with food and they should learn in no time.
How to Protect Hardwood Floors from Puppy
Protecting your hardwood floors from a puppy isn’t that much different than an adult dog. However, puppies tend to have accidents more frequently, so you will need to clean up in a timely manner.
But puppies will also chew on anything they can find. Shoes, furniture, and even floors. You might be wondering how puppies are even capable of chewing on hardwood floors in the first place.
This can occur when the boards are buckling from water damage. It will create a surface that is no longer even. A puppy will then be able to grab hold of a section of the wood, if they are bored enough.
Are Hardwood Floors Bad for Dogs?
We know that hardwood floors look great on the inside of your hose. But are hardwood floors bad for dogs? Similar to ice, these slippery surfaces are not meant for dogs to walk on regularly.
This can cause your dog to slip and fall – which can lead to injury. Even though dogs are very agile animals, there’s still a chance they can slide on your hardwood floors and get hurt.
If you do have hardwood floors, training is key. Preventing your pet from running on the surface will create safer conditions and keep them healthy. The faster dogs run on hardwood only increases the chance for injury.
Conclusion
You can still enjoy the perks of owning a dog and have hardwood floors. By following the tips listed above, you can keep the surface scratch free and maintain that rich finish for a long time.
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