Who let the dogs OUT?

Hardwood floors, oh so grand, but Bruno’s claws leave them unplanned! Fear not, fellow dog lover, there’s hope in sight! This blog’s your guide to finding the best hardwood floors for dogs, day and night!

Think easy-clean surfaces, paw-sitively perfect options, and a stress-free home you can truly enjoy (without the constant floorboard replacement woes).  Let’s ditch the worries and embrace the joys of the best hardwood floors for dogs!  ✨

PSSTTTT!!!! This post may contain affiliate links. Basically, a win-win for you (awesome product) & us (a lil’ coffee fund). ☕️

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How to Choose the Best Hardwood Floors for Dogs on a Budget?  

I think most people obviously go with the dense, scratch-resistant modern oak or maple flooring when picking the best hardwood floors for dogs! But are there any other aesthetic or easy-to-get options that you MUST know? Let’s find out! 

• Durability & Scratch-Resistance: If you have a zoomie-loving or ‘roobing’ Retriever back home, you should DEFINITELY pick a durable and scratch-free hardwood floor, say Maple or Hickory for example. Plus, these won’t dent too! 
• Color & Grain Variation: Dogs will totally scritch-scratch and ruin your hardwood floors aesthetic like anything! So, it’s better to go with light Birch, Ash or White Oak flooring to mask those scratches and ooze an even, uniform look!
• Finish & Top-coat: The best hardwood floors for dogs are obviously those with laminate, polyurethane or film coating on top. Those don’t break with dog biting and save your floors from unprecedented pee and poo accidents! 

• Prefinishing and Grip: While laminated hardwood floors are literally the best flooring for dogs that pee, those provide poor grip and friction control. So, if you have aged or injured dogs, I suggest you go for hardwood floors with factory-applied aluminum-oxide coating on them.
• Textures: Now, most people obviously prefer nice, grainy, anti-slip hardwood floors to provide some grip and traction to their dogs. So, I suggest using naturally-textured Ash, Oak, Walnut & Hickory floors in the play & pee zones.
• Budget: I think budget is one of the key factors when choosing the best hardwood floors for dogs. So, remember that denser hardwoods, say Maple or Hickory are really expensive, while the lighter Ash & Birch ones are a bit cheaper! 
• Pee & Poo Resistance: Pup pee accidents might be unintentional, but those leave some yellowish stains for sure! So, I suggest going with denser hardwood floors, say Oak or Walnut for example, to reduce the subfloor damage.

What Are the Best Hardwood Floors for Dogs & Playful Pups? 

Personally, I feel that dense and easy-to-get Oak, Maple & Hickory floors are the best hardwood floors for dogs; especially those with restlessness, pee and poo issues! But that’s not all! Here are some options you can explore for each: 

1. White or Red Oak Hardwood Floors

Average Cost of Oakwood Floors	$7 – 20 per sq.foot depending on the quality
Available Varieties	Smooth-finish, Wire-brushed, Hand-scraped, Beveled, Seamless, Distressed, Smooth Sanded

There’s nothing homeowners hate about Oakwood floors. After all, they look so natural, unique, antique and well, adaptable to different types of furniture! But hey! Did you know that Oak is one of the best hardwood floors for dogs as well?

Well yes! Oak floors are durable; they bear mild scratches, dents and occasional wear and tear like a pro! Plus, these have a polyurethane coating that reduces pee and poo absorption like anything! Trust me, your wooden or bare concrete subfloors will thank you!

And did you know that oak hardwood floors are easy on their maintenance part, too? It’s just occasional cleaning, mopping and refurnishing, nothing more! 

But is there anything that can still go wrong with oak floors (literally, the best hardwood floors for dogs?) Let’s see:

2. Maple Wood (Literally the Best Hardwood Floors for Dogs!)

Estimated Price of Maple Wood	Over $4 – 15 per square foot or ₹90–500
Maple Floor Textures	Wire-brushed, Hand scraped & Smooth-finish

Now, maple hardwood floor is my personal favorite! Like, I already have light maple flooring in my dog’s pee and play areas. And trust me, it repels pee stains, spillovers and drools like magic! Plus it’s so light and bright; no visible scratches, nothing!

I’ve also observed that maple’s a bit hard and denser than other flooring options! Like, it doesn’t dent or warp with moisture and takes on harsh scratches too! 

Moreover, maple wood is quite antibacterial. It contains essential compounds like polyphenols and triterpenoids that inhibit the growth of different fungi & bacteria from your dog’s nails, drool and hair. So, these are a win-won for both you and your dog! 

But are there any reasons why maple floors ain’t the best hardwood floors for dogs? Let’s find out below:

3. Dual-toned Hickory Hardwood Floors

Estimated Price of Maple Wood	Around $4 – 15 per square foot or ₹200 – 500
Recommended Hickory Wood Finishes for Dogs	Penetrating Oil, Polyurethane & Combination Finishes

Well, I know that Hickory is a bit expensive and slippery for smaller dogs; But hey! Did you know that it’s literally the top-most hardwood choice to resist deep scratches and bites from bigger dogs? And yes, it also withstands heavy playing, running, zoomies and what not! 

Moreover, Hickory wood has a dual-color, variegated hue on its top; so it hides all those dog-bite or nail marks easily. In fact, you don’t even have to stress on maintaining it; just regular sweeping and mopping is enough!

Furthermore, I’ve also concluded that polished Hickory floors are a bit warm and softer than most other hardwood floors. So, these are literally the best hardwood floors for dogs with short hair like Pugs, Great Dane, Boxers, Bulldogs & Basenji.

However, here’s a list of a few things that might go wrong with Hickory hardwood floors:

Quick Tip: Consider using any common oil-based, polyurethane or resin top coats to save your hickory floors from chemical stains and warping.

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4. Brazilian Walnut Hardwood Floors for Dogs

Average Cost of Walnut Hardwood Floors	$8 – 14 per sq. foot
Best Surface Patterns	Wavy, Figured, Swirl, Interlocking & Straight

Oak and hickory wood floors might be strong, but those don’t resist the scratches from big dogs like Retrievers. So, I suggest you go with Brazilian Walnut, aka Ipe wood. This is over 60% stronger than Oak and resists scratches, dents and zoomies effectively.

Plus, it needs minimum upkeep; Basically, regular sweeping, mopping and spill-cleaning is enough to maintain its warm polish. And did you observe its slight bumpy texture? Ah! It provides the best grip, traction and anti-slip resistance of all!

Our team also researched its moisture-retention rate, and we were surprised to see a 40% decline in subfloor water seepage. So needless to say, the Brazilian Walnut is a top choice for kitchens, dog pee and poo zones and play areas alike! 

But does Brazilian Walnut (literally one of the hardest & best hardwood floors for dogs) have any potential drawbacks? Let’s find out below:

Quick Tip: Try to use UV-light resistant window screens, anti-glare glasses or sheer rugs to save your Walnut floors from turning white.

5. Indian Rosewood Flooring for Small Dogs

Rough Price of Indian Rosewood Flooring	Roughly $30 per sq. foot or up to ₹1200 in India
Available Flooring Colors	Deep reddish-brown, Chocolate Brown, Golden Brown, Red Streak Variety, Golden Streaked, etc.

Well, an exotic Rosewood floor might sound too expensive and fancy at the first glance, but this one is literally a boon for dogs who chew continuously! Now, this wood does exhibit some scratches with age, but it’s warm, decorative and toxin-free for dogs! 

One of my clients also confirmed that her rosewood flooring hides potential dirt, pee stains and dog hair easily, thanks to its rich grain! And yes, rosewood is obviously porous like most Indian hardwoods, but can be treated with polyurethane for the best moisture control of all! 

Here’s a list of some additional problems that you may face with Indian Rosewood (Truly the most decorative & warmest of them all!)

Caution: Avoid using harsh chemical, abrasive or corrosive floor cleaners with Indian rosewood floors as those might soften or discolor them easily.

6. Mango Wood Floors – One of the Best Hardwood Floors for Dogs!

Mango Wood Floor Cost	Around $30 per sq. foot on e-commerce or up to ₹20–50 /sq.foot in India
Recommended Mango Wood Finishes	Natural Oil, Tinted Oil, Polyurethane, Wax & Distressed Finish

Did you know that our very own Mango wood has a Janka hardness rating of 1070 pounds per foot (4780 N) which is almost similar to Oak? So needless to say, it hides those scratches, dents and warps like magic!

Most of my Indian clients also love Mango wood flooring for its uniform temperature control; this wood feels warm in the cold and cooler in tropical regions like India. Also, it has great moisture absorption; hence, your pet paws will surly feel soft and lubricated!

But here are some potential mango wood floor drawbacks that you need to take care of:

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7. Teak Hardwood Floors for Dogs

Teak Hardwood Floors Price	Between $11 – 25 /sq. Foot & ₹400 – 1500 /sq.foot in India
Recommended Surface Finishes	Teak Oil, Hard wax Oil, Polyurethane, Water-based Polyurethane, etc.

Teak is literally one of the best hardwood floors for dogs, no questions asked! It’s exceptionally durable (yes, it surpasses Oak too!), scratch resistant, water-resistant and literally everything you can think off!

You know, we used teak wood both for the subfloor and finished floor level in our studio’s mezzanine! And surprisingly, all our dog pee absorption issues, scratch issues and maintenance reduced by a whopping 40%. Not to mention the antibacterial properties too!

Now, teak wood naturally contains a lot of oils, say Tecto Naphthoquinone or fatty acids for example, which prevent warping and extra water damage due to dog pee & poo accidents. So, it’s also one of the best flooring for dogs that pee, obviously! 

However, just like every other hardwood, even teak has its own set of cons. Here are some of those:

Summing Up

Conclusion

Woof, there it is! You’ve finally conquered the canine claw-nge and pee-nic! (Sorry, not sorry about the terrible dog puns.) Now you’re a hardwood hero, ready to choose the perfect pup-proof floor for your furry friend (oak-ay for scratches? Maple be perfect? You got this!).

Remember, happy paws, happy floors!  Show off your pawsome new digs! Do share a pic (or mood board!) in the comments and inspire other pet parents to create a stylish and dog-friendly haven.

And if you want to know some other flooring options for dogs that pee, then I’ll be happy to help! 

External Resources

• Learn how to care for a hardwood floor in your home from the IOWA State University
• Explore some easy steps to maintain hardwood floors for long from Cornell Cooperative Extension