Dog owners often hesitate about having hardwood floors because of concerns about damage. Thankfully, indoor pets and hardwood floors can coexist. Here are a few maintenance tips to help you preserve your wood flooring.

How to Care for Hardwood Floors If You Have Dogs

1. Use Rugs

Most dogs have their favorite spots in the house where they like to eat or relax. Protect these areas from scratches by using rugs as barriers. You can also set rugs near doorways or in high-traffic places where your pets like to roam to further preserve the floors.

2. Trim Their Nails

Sharp nails can leave unsightly scratches on wood floors. If your dog has a tendency to run, jump, or play inside the house, trim its nails to prevent gouges in the flooring. Even calm dogs can leave light surface scratches if their nails are long or ragged.

3. Avoid Accidents

The acid in pet urine can wear the finish on hardwood floors and cause lasting damage, so avoid accidents through proper house training. Until your dog can reliably use the bathroom outside, protect the hardwood floors with absorbent pads.

If they have an accident, quickly wipe up the urine with a cloth or towel. Then, treat the area with a one-to-one mixture of white vinegar and water to deter lingering odors.

4. Prevent Messy Mealtimes 

Water and wet food can cause moisture damage on wood flooring, so clean up after your dog when they eat. For a more hands-off approach, get sturdy food bowls and waterproof mats to absorb spills. Your pet will have a harder time pushing food and water out of a heavy bowl, and the mats will catch any spills that occur without impacting the floors. 

If your floors are worn from years of enduring pet wear, turn to Floor Coverings Hawaii in Kailua-Kona to get them replaced. These professionals have helped Big Island homeowners update their floors for 20 years, offering a variety of high-quality materials to match their interior designs. View their hardwood options online, or call (808) 329-7570 to request a quote.