Many people have pets that they love like family. If you have hardwood floors and a dog, you know the challenges at hand. From nails on the wood to occasional accidents, there’s a lot to keep in mind. However, you don’t have to compromise on the quality of your floors because of your furry friend. There are plenty of things you can do to keep your floors in good condition. Here’s a guide that explains how to protect hardwood floors from dogs, so read on to learn more.

Cut Their Nails Regularly

If you’re wondering how to protect hardwood floors from dogs, consider having their nails cut regularly. The dog’s nails are what causes scrapes and scratches on the hardwood. The best way to prevent scratched floors is to cut the dog’s nails regularly. It’s best to have the nails trimmed once they begin to touch the floor. If you can hear your dog’s nails hitting the floor, then it’s time to have their nails trimmed. This is good for both the hardwood floors and the dog because long nails make the dog uncomfortable as well.

Use Runners and Area Rugs

Another tip for protecting hardwood floors from dogs is to utilize runners and area rugs. Since life gets busy, you might not be able to clip your dog’s nails all the time. To prevent scratches on the floor, place runners in high-traffic areas. If your dog likes to run up and down a hallway, consider placing a runner there. You should also put an area rug wherever the dog likes to hang out during the day, as their nails could scratch the surface when they’re getting up from relaxing. Be sure to consider how to properly size an area rug so that it doesn’t throw off the rest of the decor.

Clean Up Accidents Quickly

Lastly, make sure to clean up accidents quickly. Whether it’s a puppy or an old dog, accidents happen. Make sure you have the proper cleaning supplies on hand so that you can get the mess cleaned up quickly. A dog’s urine can damage the floor, so it’s important to move quickly.