Best baseboards for dog urine

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I currently live in a house with carpet throughout, with cheap unfinished quarter round in the hallways, and even cheaper (but painted) MDF by the back door. Despite our best efforts, our old chihuahua gets pee on both of these surfaces sometimes. I am afraid that both types of baseboard have probably permanently taken on the scent of dog urine, and the MDF by the back door has badly swollen and split in places. Solving this issue in our current house is outside of this discussion... instead I'm hoping to prevent this in our next house.

We are doing full waterproof vinyl planks (glue down) in the next house. Baseboard choice is a tough dilemma. I know there is a PVC (also called vinyl) option which would be just as waterproof as the floors, but I wonder are there any downsides to PVC? Aesthetics? How does it age?

What if we did a really high quality wood baseboard and sealed/painted it? What is our worst case scenario if the dog pees on that? In the future when the dog is out of the picture, will we be able to sand/repaint any peed on boards to remove the smell? Or would we need to replace the entire baseboards? Obviously we hope to avoid full replacement.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

KW PNW Z8

5 years ago

Well, maybe a belly band but no person who knows dogs is going to recommend neutering an aging dog to help with potty issues. And no ethical vet would perform that surgery. I’m sure this is a geriatrics issue.

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Comments (10)

Mrs. S
5 years ago
It’s not so expensive to replace pieces of baseboards down the road, if it only happens now and then. Just clean it up right away. Semi-gloss paint will help.
User
5 years ago
A neutering and belly band for the dog.
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kayozzy
5 years ago
I did PVC base in the last house I remodeled due to time constraints. Doesn't require any painting, just fill in the nail holes and/or screws with the right caulking and you are done. You have to use the right fasteners. Looked nice but attracted dust. I didn't stay long enough to see if there was a good solution for that.

If he is going near the door, he might be attempting to go out, but not able to hold it long enough for you to notice him. Maybe a dog door would help? I have a tiny one that is almost blind and the dog door is Rottweiler size. I didn't think she'd be trainable to it, but one day I saw her just strolling in! For male dogs, I have used belly bands with success. I put in half or full maxi pad so they don't have to be washed as often. I put a plastic bin on top of the washer for the dirty ones and washed separately. Good luck!
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
If you are REALLY serious about this (and don't care about the LOOK) go ahead and glue a full plank to the wall. Caulk the expansion gap.

When the dog has moved on to the great Dog Park in the Sky, you then cut the drywall, hang new, tape, putty and paint.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
Old dogs have issues for sure. I think more wals will help a bit and males always neutered or not will pee on vertical spaces. I would just do a vinyl baseboard you can get them to match the flooring and if it seems to only be in one area why not just plan to change that when the time comes. BTW I would be changing the ones in your house now and also the carpet since buyers will have noses that art not used to the smell in your house and believe me it is there.
millworkman
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
"We are doing full waterproof vinyl planks"

Clean it up well asap as waterproof means unaffected by water not truly waterproof. Liquids will still seep thru to the subfloor, and in the case of urine stink.
H D
5 years ago
I just want to commend you for the wonderful care you are providing your older dog, including modifying your house and baseboards. He is one lucky dog to have you!
Dingo2001 - Z5 Chicagoland
5 years ago
Sounds a little crazy but my friend litter trained her old chihuahua. They make litter boxes with a little dip in the front so the dog can get in and out of the box easily. Just a thought! Maybe try it by the back door. It’s tough when they are getting older 💕
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
5 years ago
Pay attention to Millworkman's last sentence. If I had to deal with this, I would bite the bullet, sacrifice aesthetics, and install seamless roll vinyl flooring and vinyl baseboard, well caulked so urine can't get behind it. Be sure to make it tall enough to protect the wall from splashing. It is most important to protect the underlying structure from urine. Once the dog has departed for its celestial home, replace the vinyl with the pretty flooring and baseboards of your choice.