If you have pets, you may think that hardwood flooring is not an option for your home. Pets and hardwood flooring don’t always mix, but this isn’t always the case. Some hardwood flooring choices are ideal for pet owners. To learn about hardwood flooring and pets, continue on with this blog post.
First, know your woods. Learn which woods are appropriate for pets and which are not. Soft woods are not compatible with pets because they are more prone to scratches and dents. Solid hardwood flooring is more durable and can stand up against the wear and tear provided by pets.
Once you’ve found the perfect solid hardwood for your home, you can now learn how to minimize damage. One way to minimize scratching is to cut your pet’s toenails. If you can hear your pet’s toenails touching the floor as they walk, it’s time for a trim. Your pet’s toenails should be short enough to where they don’t drag on the floor.
Another way to minimize damage is by laying down rugs and runners. A rug can help your home feel cozier, and it can also protect your flooring from scratches, dents, spills, and dirt. If you have a cat, consider putting a rug down by their litter box. Litter can scratch hardwood flooring, but a rug can prevent or reduce damage.
Accidents happen, so if you have a puppy or aging animal who has an accident on your flooring, minimize damage by tending to the accident as soon as possible. Clean their accident by blotting with a paper towel and then dropping a small amount of vinegar on the stain for several minutes. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean the stain, then wipe dry with paper towels. Ammonia can track your pet back to that area and they may repeat their accident.
Now that you know how to properly pick and care for hardwood flooring as a pet owner, you can shop for hardwood flooring at flooring.org! Visit our website to browse our inventory or give us a call at 800-689-9006.
