There’s one member of the household who doesn’t care how expensive your solid oak wood flooring was, or even how you’ve only just finished colour staining the new wood block flooring in the lounge – the household mutt!

Pets and household flooring can be a pretty troublesome mix, but as a studio of dog owners, we’ve certainly amassed a few priceless hints and tips for making sure your canine chum gets along with your new natural wood floors!

•    Persistent exposure to liquids can damage even the hardiest of wood floors, so be sure to mop up “accidents” and site drinking bowls etc. on top of a decent sized mat. The best thing to mop up spills with is a slightly damp cloth.

•    If you bought unfinished wood flooring from us, think about applying a full three coats of an oil-based finish for protection.

•    If you notice a patch of the floor where Fido frequently paws or leaves scratches (e.g. as he scrambles around the corner at top speed to greet you at the door!), put down a rug. Be sure to research backings though, as some non-slip backings can damage DIY surface finishes.

•    Clip your dog’s nails to minimise the risk of scratching.

Hardwood and engineered wood flooring is very healthy for all your pets. Natural wood typically doesn’t allow fleas and germs to grow, acts as a great insulator during the chilly winter months, and can even cool your pooch during the heat of summer.