Some people believe that hardwood floors and our four-legged-friends don’t mix. Whether it be because of damage from scratches, or puddles from accidents, there’s reasons to believe that they don’t belong together.
This is however not the case. Hardwood flooring is actually one of the best flooring choices you could have in your home if you have animals. From solid hardwood to engineered hardwood, all types of hardwood floors require very little care to avoid damage from pets. Contact us today if you have any questions about which type of wooden flooring is most suitable for you and your dearest pets.
Alright, so here they are…
Make sure to keep your dog’s toenails trimmed frequently, (at least once a month). You can do this yourself, but from personal experience, I recommend taking your pet to a groomer to perform this task. Trimming their nails will prevent the likelihood of ugly notches or scratches that may occur on your wooden floors as your dog walks or plays on the surface.
Place throw rugs in strategic locations on the hardwood floors of your home so that your pets will primarily walk/lay on these surfaces. This will help protect the planks from scratches. These throw rugs are also a great way to prevent damage from the occasional accidents that a dog or a cat might have.
Have some soft towels, diapers or absorbent paper towels so that you can quickly clean up any droppings or urine. By letting urine sit too too long, you risk the chance of stains or risk it soaking in-between the seams if you have laminate or engineered hardwood.
This can cause swelling within the planks of your hardwood floor which may require that portion of the floor to be replaced in order to fix it. In most cases hardwood flooring has a protective sealant on the surface that will help keep the wood planks below safe from moisture.
You should train your dogs to go outside (take a look at the video below for tips on how to train your dog to go outside), or alternatively, you will need a litter box for your cat. If you are training a puppy or a kitten, then you should use absorbent training pads on as much of the floor as possible.
If you have opted to install pet friendly flooring, you are less likely to have a problem with stains or odors from the pet accidents that occur during the training sessions.
Remove dirt and pet hair from a home’s hardwood floors by using a soft-bristled broom or a dust mop. At least once a week, mop the floors with a small amount of water mixed with a gentle cleanser that is recommended by the flooring’s manufacturer. Having a clean floor makes it less likely that your four-legged-friend will scratch it.
In conclusion, hardwood floors are among the best flooring options if you have pets in your house. Cleaning up accidents is much easier compared to carpet and scuffs and scratches can be easily fixed with minor maintenance.
