Hardwood floors are the best choice for homeowners with pets. Not only are they easy to clean, they don’t provide hiding spots for pet dander and fleas like carpets do. However, as much as we love our furry friends, their long nails, puppy teeth, and ability to track dirt through your house can do a number on your hardwood floors. To keep damage at bay, there are several things to keep in mind with your pooch:
Focus On Housetraining
If your dog goes indoors, immediately clean up the accident, wipe the floor down, and let it dry thoroughly. Accidents happen, but the ammonia in pet urine can discolor your wood floors and leave a funky smell.
Trimming Nails
It’s important to keep your pet’s nails short to prevent deep scratches on your floors. This is especially important with larger breeds as they will exert more pressure on your floors.
Sweep Often
Sweeping on a frequent basis is key to maintaining the finish on your hardwood floors. Dogs can easily track dirt and hair through the house and it acts as sandpaper, harming your floors finish and dulling its shine.
Install An Extra Hard Floor
While hardwood floors are an excellent choice for homeowners with pets, certain types of species are harder than others. Select a floor like Acacia or Brazilian Cherry that have a higher rating on the Janka Hardness Scale for even further scratch prevention.
Rugs
Lastly, lay down rugs in high traffic areas to prevent any future wears on the finish. Area rugs can not only add a stylish look to any room, they prevent claw marks and scratches from appearing on your hardwood floor’s surface.
