How to Protect Your Floors When You Have a Dog

There are almost 90 million dogs owned in the United States. That’s a lot of paws! Pet owners know that dogs can quickly become part of the family and provide a kind of unconditional love that you can’t find anywhere else.

But, when you get a dog, it’s important to “pet-proof” your home as much as possible. That goes beyond just puppies – it’s important to prepare for older dogs, too!

One of the biggest things to consider is how to protect your floors. Even the most well-behaved dogs can scratch up hardwood flooring with their nails just by walking around.

So, what can you do to protect your floors, or spruce them up if your dog has worn them down?

Protect Carpet With Plastic

Although it may not be the most visually-appealing option, covering carpeted areas with heavy plastic can keep your dog’s nails from shredding it, and it can also prevent stains from their paws or from accidents (especially if you have a puppy!). There are also moisture barrier sprays you can consider if you don’t want to cover your carpet with plastic.

Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed and house training them will help to eliminate the need to cover your carpet. But, until they’re fully housebroken and have lost the urge to chew or scratch, this is a surefire way to keep your plush floors looking great.

Spruce Up Concrete

Does your pet spend a lot of time playing with the family in the basement? Have their paws scratched at the concrete or caused it to become dull? Instead of covering it up with rugs, consider a concrete polishing business to polish your floors and get them looking like new! Whether your basement doubles as a play area for the kids, an extra living space, or even a “man cave,” it should be a place the whole family can enjoy, so you shouldn’t have to deal with dingy concrete floors!

Handling Hardwood

Hardwood floors are one of the most popular options for many households. But, they can also be the toughest to maintain when you have dogs, especially if you have a softer wood that shows scratches easily.

One of the best things you can do to protect your hardwood is to apply a water-based coating over the entire surface. This will help to protect against scratches and any accidents your four-legged friend might have.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to place rugs and runners wherever possible. Not only will this protect the wood underneath but it will help to give your dog some traction as they’re walking (or running!). The more traction they have, the less likely they will be to slip or slide across the floor and create bigger scratches.

Getting new floors?

If you’re in the market for a new home or are renovating your current floors, there are many types of flooring options to consider for you and your pup. When it comes to how well floors can withstand the wear and tear of your dogs, there are a few important factors you’ll want to compare—both for the floors you choose and the type of dog you have.

It’s entirely possible to find floors that align with your style, support the lifestyle of your dogs, and can retain their beauty for years to come. You just have to know what to look for! For a comparison guide on the most popular flooring options available for dog owners, check out the infographic below for a breakdown of each flooring type. While no flooring is 100% pet-proof, it’s still possible to find floors that both you and your pups will love!

Thanks to FloorAuthority.com for use of this graphic.

No matter what type of flooring you have in your home, it’s not impossible to protect it or bring it back to life if you have a dog. Keep these easy tips in mind to keep your flooring looking great, so everyone in the family can enjoy – including the furry family members!