As much as we love our dogs, sometimes they can do some damage to our home that’s a bit undesirable. Sometimes it seems like they know we don't want them to damage our hardwood floors, but they do it anyway! We're here to show you how to protect your hardwood floors from dogs.
Clip Their Nails
An excellent preventative option is to start with your dog. Since dogs' claws don't retract, their nails always hit the floor with every step they take. Take your furry friend to the groomer to get their nails trimmed regularly.
Trimming your dog's nails will ensure that they do less damage when they walk on your hardwood floors.
Place Runners In Your Home
Runners are a great way to keep your dog from damaging your hardwood. When they walk or run on hardwood floors, their paws have nothing to grip, making it easier for them to slip.
A runner gives them something to grip as they walk. Additionally, you can place a runner near your home's entrances so some of the dirt on your dog’s paws can get wiped off when they walk on it to come inside.
Additionally, if you have hardwood stairs, your dog is at risk of slipping on them as well, which can be dangerous. When dogs climb up the stairs, they need something to hold on to as they push themselves up. Placing hardwood stair treads on your stairs can give them extra traction and support.
Apply Protection To Your Floors
Some hardwood floors are already naturally scratch-resistant, but it may be a good idea to apply an additional layer of protection.
There are many products on the market you can apply to your floors. For example, waxing your floor regularly is an excellent way to protect your floors and hide previous damage. Test it out on a small, area before applying it to the rest of the room. Talk to a professional about how often you should use these chemicals on your floors.
If you don’t want to go through all that hassle, you could install vinyl floors that have a hardwood design. Vinyl is naturally waterproof and durable, which makes it easier to protect your floors from pet damage.
Clean Up Accidents Right Away
It's essential to clean up any bathroom accidents or mud right away. Dog urine can quickly seep into the floors and damage your hardwood. The smell will also linger if you don’t clean it up immediately.
A good way to prevent dirt or water from getting into the house is to have your dog wear booties when you take them outside for walks. Then, when you come back inside, take the booties off and your dog’s paws will be nice and clean.
Keep Playtime In Another Room (or Outside)
Avoid letting your dog chew on a bone or play with their toy on your hardwood floors. When a dog chews on a bone, the bone is constantly scraping against the floor as they bite it. That's a surefire way to damage your floors.
If you play catch or tug-of-war in the house, make sure playtime is in a carpeted area or outdoors to prevent damaging your hardwood floors.
Home damage is an inevitable part of owning a dog, but at the end of the day, it's all worth it! Now that you know how to protect your hardwood floors from dogs, you can sit back and enjoy your beautiful scratch-free hardwood!