This is a guest post from Rob Jones.
Even though it has been established by many that hardwood wood floors require regular attention when you have a pet, it is not a forgone conclusion that you must choose between your Faithful Friend and the beauty and class that hardwood wood floors can bring to an interior.
Taking care of hardwood wood floors will demand a certain level of attention, and as such it is just as easy to incorporate a few simple steps into a cleaning routine which takes your pets into account as well. In some ways, having hardwood floors in a pet’s environment is a great alternative to carpeting. Hardwood wood floors make the clearing away of animal hair and dander a much simpler exercise. Pets enjoy the coolness of hardwood, and will often remain in those areas away from your carpeting. This can save a lot of time and bother when it comes to vacuuming.
Be Vigilant
Overall, the key principle to remember about hardwood wood floors and pets is awareness and timely action. Responsible pet owners are likely to find success when it comes to taking care of their hardwood floors as well as their furry friends. Provided that you keep a few things in mind, you may well enjoy the company of your pets as well as the high quality a hardwood wood floor’s unique appearance will lend to your interior for years to come. Some actions to take when it comes to pets and hardwood wood floors may include:
Considering some areas of your interior to be “no pet zones”
Clipping your pet’s claws to avoid scratching the surface of hardwood wood floors
Seeking ways of avoiding spillage from pet water dishes – buy broad-based water dishes or water dishes that come with a spill-resistant stand
Making use of strategically placed mats to protect from spills and wet paws fresh from outdoor exploration. Make sure that wet mats don’t sit too long on your hardwood wood floor.
Assuming the worst when it comes to urine stains and lingering odors even before they happen. Seek advice from pet store retailers and DIY experts about how to treat the surface of a hardwood wood floor in the event of an “accident”. Always follow the instructions as stipulated by manufacturers of stain-removal products
Being prepared to clear water spills and urine right away – don’t leave messes to sit
One option to explore of course is finding out about as many flooring options as you feel are viable as alternatives to hardwood wood floors. Many varieties of flooring (laminate flooring, porcelain tile et al) are very conducive to high pet-traffic, and with comparatively less to worry about when it comes to many of the elements discussed here. Look at as many as you can and know how much attention each option will demand when it comes to your pet. In weighing the pros and cons when it comes to a choice of flooring and your pet, you may save yourself a significant amount of bother and expense in the future.
The author of this article, Rob Jones, is Communications Coordinator with BuildDirect, a leading online wholesaler of building products. Rob writes articles for commercial contractors and DIYers on features, installation, and maintenance of building materials used in commercial and residential projects. These articles focus on materials such as flooring, decking, roofing, and siding, and other related topics.