You love your dog. But you also love the look of your hardwood floors. Good news! You don’t have to choose one over the other. There are ways to protect your wood flooring from the damage a pet’s claws can inflict on them.

Keep it Clean

Your dog and everyday debris that accumulates on the floor combine as the biggest threat to hardwood. When your dog walks along the floor, the dirt and hair act as coarse agents on the wood. Indentations and scratches result. By sweeping daily and mopping regularly, you’ll reduce wear on the hardwood.

Under the Rug

If a section of your wood flooring is a common pathway for your dog – for instance, where he enters the house and walks to his water bowl – put down an area rug or runner. You may not want to cover the beauty of your floor, but you’ll ultimately be preserving the wood. If only certain rooms of your home feature hardwood, restrict your dog’s access to them. Put his bedding and feeding area in rooms with carpeting instead.

 

Cover the Culprits

Slip-resistant and outdoor-safe booties are an option if you can get your dog to accept anything over his paws. Another option is to cover the individual nails with vinyl caps. These essentially blunt your dog’s nails to prevent damage to surfaces like your floors and furniture. You can affix the caps yourself or have a groomer apply them.