If we have a dog, we always have to say goodbye to our beautiful wooden floors, which are beaten under our dog’s claws. However, there are solutions to reconcile both.
Ceramics
This extremely hard material is very resistant to dog claws. On the other hand, if there is damage, its porous surface makes it difficult to clean. Also, it is necessary at all costs to avoid choosing a smooth ceramic: because it is slippery for our dog’s pads, the latter risks slipping and, thus, suffering an injury to the joints or ligaments (this is even more so if our dog is getting older, he has less confidence in his feet and he is more likely to injure himself by falling). It is advisable to place the rugs in some busy places to make it easier for Fido to move around, but also to ensure his comfort, because the ceramic is a cool stone unsuitable for cold animals.
tangible
Nowadays, concrete is used to make the floors in the house to get a contemporary and refined effect. Very easy to maintain, concrete can also be refurbished with a polish if it shows signs of wear after a few years. Another undeniable advantage: its surface is non -slip and therefore safe for our pets.
vinyl
Also called linoleum, this material is also a solid material that is highly resistant to scratches, in addition to being easy to clean. There are some on the market today that perfectly mimic cement, wood and marble, which makes it very interesting. On the other hand, it can also be runny, and the use of rugs here and there is recommended for the comfort and safety of our animal.
bamboo
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Originally from Asia, bamboo is rather a flexible plant where floating parquet or rolls of natural blades are made. Available in many colors and styles, it is easy to maintain and has a high level of resistance to pet scratches and water areas. And when it does show signs of wear, it’s just sand and stain. Because it is a durable and renewable material, it is an excellent coating option if you want to be ecologically responsible, as long as you make sure you have the FSC label, which indicates that the bamboo was selected using the same methods. to harvest environmentally friendly. Also, because many products from China may contain toxic products including formaldehyde, the composition of bamboo is checked before purchase.
The cork
Made from cork oak bark, this material is available in tile, roll and floating liner form. Not only does cork resist scratches well, but it provides excellent soundproofing: our dog is able to run around the house without making a hell of a racket! Also, it is a renewable, ecological and durable material that offers good insulation and shock absorption, in addition to being hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, rot-proof and antifungal.
The laminate
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Laminate flooring can withstand scratches better than hardwood, but we should avoid choosing a shiny finish, which is more transparent for our dog’s feet. We therefore opt for a textured or embossed finish that limits the risk of accidents.
engineered wood
We can now find in the market engineered wood made of exotic species that is cheaper than natural wood and just as resistant to scratches. Covered with aluminum oxide urethane varnish, it also provides great resistance to liquids.
The hard floor
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If you want to install hardwood flooring, you need to know that hardwood from North America (like oak) is less expensive than exotic wood (ipé, jatoba, hickory, etc.) from Brazil, but it is also less hard than the latter, so less resistant. So exotic wood is preferred. However, in addition to being more expensive, it must be oiled and not varnished, because its fibers are very tight and very stiff; so the varnishes fail to penetrate and “float” to the surface. The only option is to keep its oil, which requires extra maintenance if you have a dog, because you need to quickly clean off any liquid on the surface (urine, signs of snow or mud), then dry well, otherwise the wood will remain stained.
The hardness of the tree species according to the Janka scale
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Created in 1906 by Austrian researcher Gabriel Janka, the Janka hardness test determines the hardness of a wood species by pushing an 11.28 mm (0.444 inch) iron ball into it until it is halfway through. . The resulting number shows the pressure (in pounds) required to push the ball. The higher the number, the harder and therefore more resistant to wood. Here is the established hardness of some tree species using the Janka scale.
drinking Force in pounds
Ipe 3684
Cumaru 3540
jatoba 2350
Mahogany 2200
Sucupira 2140
Tigrewood 1850
Hickory 1820
Maple 1450
bamboo 1380
white oak 1360
Birch 1260
Claw guards: cheap and very practical
If we don’t like the idea of replacing our floors or if we’re renting and need to protect our landlord’s property, there’s still a solution: claw guards. Available in a transparent finish or in different colors, it is applied with a non -toxic adhesive, which is provided on the package. They are harmless and painless for our dog and last about four weeks, which is up to the next nail size. A low cost solution worth trying.