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  #1  
Old December 31st, 2009, 01:09 PM
jazzy jazzy is offline
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hard wood floors

Do dog claws have any affect on hard wood floors? If so, is there any way to prevent damage?

Anything you'd like to throw out there about dogs and hard wood floors would be appreciated. =)
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Old December 31st, 2009, 01:20 PM
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I have oak hardwood on my floors and my kitties have made marks in the wood with their claws. My kitties are big though - averaging around 25 pounds.
As for how to prevent it? I really have no advise, I keep the claws trimmed, but there are some heated chases at times and that is where the scratches and a few rather deep gouges have come from and the fast slides around corners!
Good luck.
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Old December 31st, 2009, 01:38 PM
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Yup, dogs and cats can destroy hardwood floors. my cats destroyed my oak floors, that's why I switched to laminate. Some of the new laminate out there today looks exactly like hardwood, and is pet proof (as well as child and husband proof . )
If you still want hardwood, keep dogs nails well trimmed and have plenty of runners on the floors, to reduse damage.
The good thing with hardwood is, they can always be sanded down and refinished.

Another thing I should mention, is if you do decide to use laminate, some dogs can't walk on it, so you may want to test before buying.
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Old December 31st, 2009, 02:25 PM
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We switched from carpet (after a few years, and many spot, and 'overall' cleaning jobs ) to laminate, and we love the change. Sooo easy to wipe up cat sick-up, the odd dog up-chuck...and Big Le Roy's water bowl dribbles.

The dogs don't have the great 'purchase'/grip they had on carpet, but they manage fine. We didn't have the $ to even contemplate hardwood...
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Old December 31st, 2009, 02:50 PM
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We had brand new oak floors put in this summer...

and held our breaths...

and have celebrated ever since, these floors are FANTASTIC!!! With three biggish dogs and two cats we have yet to see a mark.

The trick, I think, is the finish: it's completely matte (no shine at all) and very textured (an "antique" finish)...so there probably ARE a few scratches here and there, but you sure can't see them!

We these floors, worth every penny!
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Old December 31st, 2009, 02:52 PM
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I used to have hard wood floors at the other house , the thing that bothered me was , the dogs drool would never come off the floors , it would leave the floor matted ... couldn't get the shine back.
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Old December 31st, 2009, 03:27 PM
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My dogs have left some marks on my hardwood floors but you honestly have to look closely. And the scratches that do exist are only in the finish...the wood itself is not damaged.

If you have a clumsy dog then I would use a paw wax like Dr. Maggie's Paw Protector to help them keep traction. Otherwise my Chase slides into walls when he gets excited

And obviously keep nails trimmed....reduces scratches and improves traction.

I really don't find dogs are so hard on the floors as people would think. My landlords thought the floors would be destroyed and they are pleasantly surprised that 8 months later there's no mark in sight.
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Old December 31st, 2009, 03:29 PM
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Where do you get the dr. Maggie's stuff? It's an anti-slip?
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Old December 31st, 2009, 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by bendyfoot View Post
Where do you get the dr. Maggie's stuff? It's an anti-slip?
I get it at Pet Valu....it's basically all-purpose! Moisturizes dry paw pads, protects against salt and ice in the winter, hardens paw pads to help deal with heat and gravel, etc.

Chase's pads used to peel in the heat until we started using it. It's very good! But it WILL stain furniture, so use it in a mudroom or something and then wipe off excess with an old towel once it's had a chance to soak in.

Who's the clumsy one in your house bendy???
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Old December 31st, 2009, 03:56 PM
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The legless wonder She does very well overall, but skids a lot. We tried "showfoot" spray, but it's just too sticky...anything on the floor ends up sticking to her foot.
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  #11  
Old December 31st, 2009, 04:03 PM
jazzy jazzy is offline
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This is concerning my boyfriend's house. I'm pretty sure it is actual wood and not laminate, but the floor is a very matte finish. Jack's nails get trimmed every 4 weeks. I'll have to bat my lashes hard to convince him its safe for Jack to be in the kitchen.
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Old December 31st, 2009, 05:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bendyfoot View Post
The legless wonder She does very well overall, but skids a lot. We tried "showfoot" spray, but it's just too sticky...anything on the floor ends up sticking to her foot.
Ahhh....well I would give Dr. Maggie a shot. It's more waxy than sticky. Works best if you put it on before sending them out in the cold...the wax sort of hardens and creates a seal over the pad. And if nothing else it's healthy for the paws and will keep sweet Jaida's toes moisturized
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Old December 31st, 2009, 05:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzy View Post
This is concerning my boyfriend's house. I'm pretty sure it is actual wood and not laminate, but the floor is a very matte finish. Jack's nails get trimmed every 4 weeks. I'll have to bat my lashes hard to convince him its safe for Jack to be in the kitchen.
I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about. I wouldn't (for example) leave a dog with separation anxiety alone in a room with nice new floors for the afternoon, but Jack wandering in and out while you are around shouldn't hurt anything!
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Old December 31st, 2009, 05:58 PM
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My hardwood floors are a mess, but then again I have 4 Boxers They were nice for about a month after we moved in. I have a very dark cherry oak. It depends on what type of hardwood. Yes Laminate is much better for wear and tear. I do prefer hardwood to carpet or laminate to carpet. Much easier to keep clean. Like ^^ said you have to use runners, mats and trim their nails.
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  #15  
Old December 31st, 2009, 08:24 PM
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Lightbulb

i have laminate myself...but i have friends with hardwood and their dogs and cats have pretty much ruined it. it really depends on the hardwood as well i would think. some are tougher than others. and you would definitely want to keep the nails trims and sanded to a soft, round edge to reduce the possible damage. like they have for cats, you could put on plastic claw caps. something like http://www.softpaws.net but i am not sure how well they work. probably good if it is any indication how well they work on cats!
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Old December 31st, 2009, 08:42 PM
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Stick to the good laminate or carpet,my pooches have destroyed my hardwood floors and have even put a few scratches in the ceramic floors to.

Doggy burnouts...mach1 before they even start to get a grip lol

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Old December 31st, 2009, 09:00 PM
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Doggy burnouts...mach1 before they even start to get a grip lol
I had a visual
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Old December 31st, 2009, 09:34 PM
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frenchy try pledge for floors its like 6,99 and boy does it work!! clean water and just apply, brenda you need to ask cleaning lady lol
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Old January 1st, 2010, 05:55 AM
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Our dogs have destoryed our wood floors. I wish we would of chosen laminate flooring in the kitchen.
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Old January 2nd, 2010, 01:07 PM
jazzy jazzy is offline
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I'm curious--for those who said dogs have destroyed their floors. Do you have big dogs, or multiple dogs, or is this a little chihuahua ruining hard wood floors?

Jack is a roughly 20 lb Shiba Inu. Are his nails going to have the same affect as, say...a doberman?
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  #21  
Old January 2nd, 2010, 01:25 PM
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big dogs but one friend only had a cat that ruined hers!
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