How to Handle Pets and Hardwood Floors

stand up to your pets, don’t be discouraged. There’s no reason you can’t have beautiful and durable hardwood floors if you have dogs, cats or other pets. With proper care and maintenance and some effort, pets and hardwood floors can be a great combination.

To protect your hardwood floors against damage from pet stains and scratches, homeowners must start with a great finish. An acrylic impregnated finish will make your hardwood flooring extremely durable, as the finish penetrates beyond the top surface of your floor into the wood itself. This finishing process is an ideal choice for pet-proofing hardwood floors.

Even with a great finish, you will still need to take steps to protect your hardwood floors from stains and scratches. Take the time to housebreak your pets to avoid urine stains, and if your pet does have an accident, wipe it up immediately. If your pet isn’t thoroughly housetrained, don’t give him access to your hardwood floors when you’re not at home. Urine that is left standing on hardwood floors can create a stain that will prove almost impossible to remove.

Water spills can also damage hardwood floors, so consider moving your pet’s food and water dishes to a different area. If you must keep your pet’s dishes on your flooring, use spill-proof bowls and place a rubber mat beneath them. Use a cloth to wipe the area of your floor where your pet eats and drinks at least once a day.

You can protect your hardwood flooring from scratches by clipping your pets’ nails weekly. If this is impossible, invest in Soft Paws. These are specially designed caps that fit easily over pets’ nails, and they provide excellent protection against scratches.

Finally, if your pets go outdoors, be diligent about sweeping your hardwood floors to prevent scratches from outdoor debris. Keep a mat at entranceways to trap dirt, sand and gravel pets may track inside.