Important Things About Hardwood Floors and Indoor Pets

Hardwood flooring improves your home's aesthetics, indoor air quality, and the property's value. However, despite the numerous perks of hardwood floors, pet owners are skeptical about whether hardwood floors are suitable for their homes. This blog explains hardwood flooring and pets to help you make an informed decision.

How Do Pets Affect Hardwood Floors?

The most apparent way pets affect hardwood flooring is by scratching. If your pet's nails are not trimmed, they can scratch or dent the surface of your hardwood floors.

In addition, pet urine can damage your floor. The urine's pH can damage the floor's finish and expose the veneer if you don't clean it. Likewise, pet vomit can harm the finish of your hardwood flooring, making the area messy and sticky.

How Can You Protect Your Hardwood Floors from Pets?

Since pets can harm your hardwood floor, you explore some helpful tips on how to protect your floors.

Choose a Hardwood Floor Finish That Is Pet-Friendly

The type of hardwood flooring you choose for your home primarily determines how long your hardwood floors will last. For example, you can select pre-finished hardwood flooring, which is more durable and has a thick topcoat. Many manufacturers use aluminum oxide in the coat, which makes them more durable and pet-friendly.

The type of surface structure is another factor. You can choose hand-scraped hardwood flooring to make it more pet-friendly because the rough surface hides scratches and dents your pet's nails create.

You should pay attention to the wood species. Wood has varying hardness levels, so select a hardwood that will resist scratches and dents well. For example, Oak is harder than walnut, making the former a better option for pet owners.

Trim Pet Nails

Trimming your pet's nails can protect your hardwood floors from scratches. When their nails are short, your pet's claws won't be able to scratch the hardwood floors.

You can use nail clippers to trim the nails, or if you don't have the tools and skills, you can look for a veterinarian to do the job.

Use Rugs in Problem Areas

If your pet is fond of using particular areas in the house, you can place rugs or mats in those areas. You should note that sometimes pets use their crawls to avoid slipping on hardwood floors, so rugs and mats can help prevent them from harming your floor.

For example, you can place a mat at the entrance where your pet tends to go in and out. You can also place mats on commonly used areas, such as near the feeding bowl and litter box.

Clean Up Accidents Immediately

Accidents can happen no matter how hard you try to protect your hardwood floors. Even if you have potty-trained your pet, your pet may occasionally pee on the floor. Your pet may also spill food or vomit on the floor.

If any of these accidents happen, act quickly to minimize the damage. You should clean up the mess and make sure all the residue is gone. Be careful not to use harsh products such as vinegar, oil soaps, and wax to clean the spot, as these can cause more harm than good.

Potty-Train Your Pet

Potty training your pet is another way to protect your hardwood floors from accidents. So you should start training your pet early. Although the process will take time and effort, it will be worth it in the end.

You should not let pet ownership deter you from enjoying the beauty of hardwood floors. You can keep your hardwood floors looking beautiful and protected with proper care and maintenance. Also, you can consult a hardwood-flooring expert if you need help choosing the right type of flooring for your pet-friendly home.

Assured Quality Woodcraft is your trusted hardwood flooring installation, repair, and maintenance company. We are committed to providing the best products and services that fit your needs. Contact us for a consultation.