Wood Floors & Dogs

You have a dog and are considering putting a wood flooring in your home or moving to a house that already has them. Is it a good idea? There are pros and cons to dogs and wood floors, and luckily most of the damage your dog does can be repaired.

Scratching

A dog's nails can scratch wood floors; if you are installing hardwood floors in your home, avoid a pre-finished floor that comes already polished, as the scratches will be much more noticeable. Keep your dog's nails trimmed to minimize the damage.

Urine

If your dog urinates in the house, be sure to clean it up right away. Urine can stain or damage hardwood floors.

Allergies

Dog dander can accumulate in your carpeting; if you suffer from pet allergies, hardwood floors are a good option because they do not trap animal dander.

Cleaning

Wood floors are easy to clean, which make them a good choice for dog owners.

Other Considerations

Keep your dog's water dishes off the hardwood floor in order to prevent possible water damage from occurring. Wood floors can be sanded and refinished to repair scratches and stains, or you can have sections replaced.

References

• Hardwood Floors 101: Dogs and Hardwood Floors
• PetWellbeing.com: Are you Allergic to Your Dog or Cat?
• WoodFloorDoctor.com: Best Hardwood Floor Finish for Dogs