Best Flooring for Large Dog

5 years ago

We recently moved into a new home with real wood floors and our Labrador has already scratched them up. We had oak floors in our old house and the same thing happened. It seems real wood and big dogs don't go well together. Therefore, we are contemplating tearing out the wood and replacing with something more durable. Any suggestions on something that would hold up better? Our dog is a messy drinker so something that won't be affected by surface water would be ideal. I am pretty handy so I DIY would be our first choice. Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

Lizzie Bennett

5 years ago

I think you'll get a lot of feedback here about tearing out real wood floors for something not wood. I'm in a similar position (though my dog is mid-sized) and we opted for going with Bona Traffic HD for a final poly coat in one room to test it out. If it holds up, then we'll do the rest of the house the same (i.e., a full refinish of the wood floors with Bona NaturalSeal and the Traffic HD). However, we did go with LVP in the kitchen - there was laminate there previously and it wasn't in great shape to start, but with the dog being a sloppy drinker, it just got worse over time. It's been about 3 years and the LVP has held up beautifully - no scratches from her nails and no warps from water drinking. Hope this helps.

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Comments (10)

millworkman
5 years ago
Ceramic Tile would be best for durability and sloppy water drinking.
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Susan Murin
5 years ago
LVP holds up beautifully to my dogs, grandkids, and the potted plants. Would I prefer real wood for the aesthetics, sure, but the durability of the LVP works better for my household and it looks great. Money wasn’t a factor in my choice, it was all about function. It is slippery for the dog, but probably not more than hardwood.
Ninapearl
5 years ago
i've had other dog owners (specifically Great Danes) recommend LVP. that's my plan as soon as i can get my guys here to give me an estimate as i'm wanting to redo my kitchen.

as for scratches, i keep my dogs nails very short and use a dremel to round off the ends so i've never had them scratch any flooring.
Karen
4 years ago
My Vets waiting room floor is Vinyl wood look plank..I believe commercial grade, and after 8 years looks like it was just installed.
Ed(Edwina) and Stephen Ci
4 years ago
Your dog won't scratch the floors if nails kept at correct length. Dremel weekly.
likestonehomes
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Hickory hardwood, big dogs, small dogs, kids and even trikes.
ShadyWillowFarm
4 years ago
Rugs with good nonslip pads.
jane__ny
4 years ago
Lived with solid oak for 40 years. Went through kids, labs, Dobermans, and three Rottweillers. We had the floors refinished 3x during those 40 yrs. When we sold our home the floors looked beautiful.

I would never go with anything else than solid wood floors.

Jane
Luca Case
4 years ago
I also have a big dog and I know the problem. With my dog I have moved a few times in recent years and the best experiences I have had with tiles or oiled parquet of some hard wood.

But what is also important is to trim the claws regularly. The claws should never touch the floor during normal walking.

And under the water bowl I would always put a waterproof pad.