The acid in animal urine or vomit can damage the finish and the wood floor boards. Large, active dogs with long, sharp nails digging into hardwood can cause scratches and dents. Spilled food or water, when left for extended periods of time, can seep into hardwood plank seams and lead to unsightly water damage.
Dogs could possibly cause some minor damage to hardwood floors, and in some cases, it will be more obvious than in others. For example, some people like the look of black hardwood floors, but they show scratches from dog nails more clearly than lighter floors.
Small does will definitely ruin your hardwood floors. Don't assume that their nails are not sharp enough. They certainly are and will scratch and tear anything they get their little paws on. Protect your elegant hardwood floors by trimming your dog's nails, making them wear dog booties or even nail caps.
Solid hardwood is one of the most stylish and timeless flooring options available. While this classic flooring type is appealing to many, most types won't hold up in a home with pets. It doesn't do well with moisture, and excessive moisture will warp and stain hardwood floors.
Laminate, tile and hardwood floors look great, and they're easy to keep clean, but your dog's paws aren't designed to walk on such smooth hard surfaces. And that can lead to slipping, sliding and falling – and potentially serious injury.
If you are looking for flooring on the domestic front, hard maple is a top choice. Hard maple has long been used as a surface for basketball courts, so it'll stand up well to pet traffic. Hard maple hits a Janka rating of 1,450 or higher (anything over 1,000 is considered excellent for flooring).
The most simple reasoning behind this scratching behavior is entertainment. That's right, entertainment. Some dogs are happy entertaining themselves, and find scratching and digging to be quite delightful. If your dog is bored or needs to release excess energy, he or she will look for ways to relieve the boredom.
Scratching or digging is a natural behaviour which has evolved from wild dogs. I learnt that it is behaviour in their DNA. While we humans might think is odd, there are many reasons why our dogs scratch and dig. It could be a sign of boredom, nesting, security or even territorial.
Dogs should stay off refinished hardwood floors for at least 24 hours. This will be the amount of time that an oil-based polyurethane coat needs to dry all the way.
Engineered Hardwood Floors
The sub-layers of engineered flooring can be of the same species or of different species, while the top layer is always high-quality wood. The durability of engineered floors means that they can better withstand scratches from your pet's nails.
Correct length for a dog's nails. If a dog's nails are too long, you will hear them clack when the dog walks on hard surfaces. Deciding if your dog's nails are too long is quite simple. The claws should not protrude over the pad and should not touch the ground when standing.
One of the main reasons for a dog scratching the floor at night has to do with nesting. They want to be in a comfortable and secure location, so they will scratch before they decide to lay down for the night. Back in the day, dogs would do this in the wild to create themselves a small den to curl up into.
Wolves and all dog breeds have glands in their feet. These glands contain pheromones that get released when a dog uses his or her back legs and feet to scratch the ground. The chemicals that get released into the earth are absorbed into the area. This is also known as the way a dog marks his or her territory.
If you notice your dog scraping frantically at the ground or kicking debris behind them, it's usually an act of marking their territory, formerly known as “scrape behavior.” While you may not always catch your dog in the act, their bodies are busy producing an important chemical reaction that allows them to communicate ...
A dog can dig at the floor because the dog is attempting to dig a hole due to his/her instinctive behavior. Dogs also scratch and dig at the floor before they lie down to make a softer resting place for themselves. It's also possible the dog is digging at the floor as a means of entertainment.
Also, if the coating gets scratched, it can be fixed easily with a coating of polyurethane, unlike the wood surface which will require sanding and buffing, provided the scratch is repairable.
Vinyl flooring is the best floor for dogs. It's an inexpensive, waterproof, scratch and stain resistant flooring that is also comfortable underfoot. Vinyl flooring will keep both you and your dogs happy.
Two of the most popular, and best flooring for pets are ceramic and porcelain varieties as they are sealed and glazed for extra protection compared to natural stone tile. Once tile is installed properly – trust us on this one – it's extremely difficult to damage or stain the tile itself.
A dog's paws are made for gripping natural terrain. Hardwood floors and smooth surfaces such as tile don't play to your dog's natural gripping abilities. Your dog's paws were made for gripping the earth.
PROBLEM: Dry Paw Pads
Dry paw pads are the most common cause for dogs having traction and slipping issues. Healthy paws are meant to be flexible and almost spongy, which allows for their paws to get better and more secure contact with the surfaces they walk on.
Use a non-slip surface to introduce your dog to a slippery tile or wood floor. You can place small mats that will not slip and slide under your dog's paws on the floor in various places so your dog can use them as stepping stones to walk across the floor.
These glands release pheromones that convey all different types of information such as age, sex, mood, and if a mammal is able to mate. Dogs have apocrine glands all over their bodies, but the highest concentration is found in the genitals and anus, hence why they sniff each other's butts.
The Root of the Behavior
When a dog circles round and round before he poops, he is doing several things. He is ensuring his safety, cleaning his spot, and leaving his calling card. Dogs communicate a lot of messages through their excretions and setting it up is important.
Studies have shown that licking releases endorphins in a dog's brain. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that make dogs (and us!) feel calmer and more relaxed. Dogs lick people for a variety of reasons, including affection, communication, grooming, exploration, attention, and taste.