Dogs & Hardwood Floors
Yes, dogs can be tough on hardwood floors. However, it is possible for the two to co-exist peacefully. We have created some tips to help you maintain that dream home with dog-friendly hardwood floors.
- Set Realistic Expectations. Keep in mind that all wood dents and scratches. However, you can keep these dents and scratches to a bare minimum.
- Factory-Finished Wood. Pre-finished wood floors are stained and sealed in the factory with multiple layers. The factory finishes are much tougher than any finish, no matter how many layers you stack on.
- Strong Graining. Red Oak is a great example of a strong grained wood that does an excellent job of hiding dents and scratches.
- Penetrating Oil. If you don’t like the idea of layering extra coats of finish, you can use a penetrating oil for a more natural, low sheen look. This does require a bit more maintenance—you’ll need to perform quarterly touch-ups—but the advantage of the penetrating finish is that the maintenance can be done selectively, exactly where the damage has occurred, so you don’t even have to move furniture.
- Rugs! Throw rugs down where pets scamper more frequently. If your herd of Labradoddles stampedes to the door when someone rings the bell, use a runner along that path.
- Doggie Booties. Most pet stores sell different brands of doggie booties that are just what they sound like, booties you put on your dog’s paws. We can’t vouch for how well they stay on, but we have heard they’re a viable option for calmer breeds.
