Not really. 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.
Oak is versatile and abundant, a great and affordable choice for homes with pets. Hand-scraped Hickory is a great option to stand up to scratches and wear and mask damage from pet nails.
Nails scratch a typical hardwood finish.
Over just a few months, your wood floor will begin to look dull and worn just because of all the scratches on the finish from dog nails. Unlike cats, dogs do not fully retract their nails, so they are always clicking on the floor when they walk.
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.
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.
The sweat that is released from special glands on the bottom of the paws is a unique scent that is enhanced when your dog scratches at the ground or floor. When this scent is released it serves as a means for your dog to claim their territory. The most simple reasoning behind this scratching behavior is entertainment.
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.
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.
Selecting a floor such as Hickory, Hard Maple or White Oak can protect your floor from damage, as these hardwoods are less susceptible to scratches than softer woods like Pine, Cherry or Black Walnut. Hardwoods with more dramatic grain patterns can help to hide scratches more easily.
There is no such thing as "scratch proof wood flooring", however, choosing a lower gloss will definitely get you a wood floor that appears scratch resistant.
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.
Oak Flooring will scratch. Wood Flooring will scratch. Being a natural product there is truly no way of getting away from this fact. Scratches however need not necessarily be looked at as a bad thing with wooden flooring.
White oak is a bit harder and more durable
Note that this does not have an impact on scratching…that is determined by the type of polyurethane or finish.
Dogs—especially young ones—can easily can have an accident on a hardwood floor, but if you clean it within a reasonable time, no problem. Yes, dogs could possibly damage hardwood floors, but a dog lover will gladly take the simple steps to prevent that.
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 ...
The main reason why dogs scratch the carpet or bedding in the middle of the night is because of their inherited burrowing instinct. What is this? Dogs want to feel comfortable and safe while they sleep, so they will scratch and dig the carpet to create a comfortable sleeping area for the night.
To mark territory – Like cats and many other four-legged creatures, dogs have scent glands on the bottom of their feet, which secrete a distinct pheromone. Scratching at something can be a way for your dog to show others they have marked a bed as their own.
Scratching the Bed Is a Natural Instinct
This is typically a natural instinct. Your pup's ancestors often scratched at leaves and dirt in the wild to create a makeshift bed for sleeping. Moving the leaves and dirt around helped conceal them better from predators.
If all else fails, you can protect softer hardwood floors from dog claw scratches by putting nail coverings or booties over your dog's paws. These types of coverings are generally comfortable and padded, making them a perfect barrier between the dog's nails and your 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.
Both Oak and Maple floors are considered among the most durable wood floors and can last for generations. Maple is among the harder wood species, with a 1450 rating on the Janka wood hardness chart.
For example, red oak has a rating of 1,290, and it doesn't scratch easily during normal wear and tear, such as foot traffic or sliding a dining room chair over the surface.