Do not expect wooden flooring to be moisture-resistant, like vinyl or water-resistant laminate flooring. After all, it’s wood, and any form of water will soften it.
If the hardwood flooring has soaked pet urine, it will rot. In addition, pet urine has a slightly acidic pH which will leave a stubborn stain on your wooden floor, extremely difficult to erase.
Here’s how to protect wood floors from dog urine: Use Polyurethane sealants, rug pads, or dog diapers.
Continue reading for detailed solutions!
🐕How to Protect Wood Floors From Dog Urine?
| Methods | How It Protects |
| Polyurethane sealants | Act as a defensive barrier |
| Rug pad | Waterproof barrier |
| Dog diapers | Protect leakage |
| Penetrating oil | Make wood floor moisture resistant |
| Enzyme cleaners | Break urine protein to fight odor |
| Training dogs | Trains them to defecate at a fixed spot |
| A mix of vinegar, citrus & dish soap | Repels dogs |
🏠Method #1 Polyurethane Sealants
You can secure your hardwood floor using floor sealants. Waterproof sealants prevent urine from contacting the hardwood floors directly, saving them from rotting.
How Does the Method Protect?
Wood is a porous material. A nonporous polyurethane sealant acts as a defensive barrier against pet urine stains. The sealants are poreless and do not absorb the feces or urine nor pass it to the wood underneath.
The method might need recoating after wear and tear.
How to Use It?
🔶Method #2 Rug Pad
This is a must for pet owners! Waterproof Area Rugs can prevent maximum water from seeping through the hardwood floor. In addition, these pet-friendly flooring materials save your wooden floors from pet urine stains and pet nail scratches.
How Does the Method Protect?
How to Use It?
Also Read: How To Clean Kinetic Sand From Carpet
🐶Method #3 Dog Diapers
Dog diapers can be very useful for dog owners. Just like a baby diaper protects leakage from your baby, a dog diaper protects your hardwood floors from pet urine and potty.
How Does the Method Protect?
How to Use It?
Also Read: Is It OK To Vacuum Cat Litter?
🧴Method #4 Penetrating Oil
If you want to increase the strength of your hardwood floor and make it naturally polished, you must use penetrating oil treatment.
How Does the Method Protect?
How to Use It?
Also Read: Sirena VS Rainbow Water Filtration Vacuums
🧽Method #5 Enzyme Cleaners
Grab an enzyme cleaner if you’re a pet owner with hardwood flooring at your home! Enzyme cleaners can help you eliminate the unpleasant smell of dog urine, protecting hardwood floors from further contamination and stain.
How Does the Method Protect?
The odor of dog urine and potty convinces pets to use that area as their toilet. However, the special enzymes break down the urine protein, thus fighting the odor. As a result, your pet does not get attracted to the same spot to defecate again.
How to Use It?
Also Read: Can You Fabuloso On Wood Floors?
🐕🦺Method #6 Training Dogs
You can train your dog to pass urine or potty in a designated indoor space instead of the wood floor. The method involves crate training, potty pads, paper training, and deciding on a specific outdoor space for defecating your dog.
How Does the Method Protect?
Over time, trained dogs develop the habit of urinating in designated areas.
How to Use It?
Also Read: How To Protect Hardwood After Removing Carpet
🍋Method #7 Mix Vinegar, Citrus & Dish Soap
You can use acidic mixtures of vinegar, citrus, or dish soap that deter a dog from causing urine damage on the hardwood floors.
How Does the Method Protect?
Dogs hate citrus, and vinegar smells in general. The smell will deter the dog from peeing inside and marking the hardwood floor.
How to Use It?
Also Read: Can You Use Pine Sol On Wood Floors?
🐩How to Clean Wood Floors From Accidental Dog Urine?
Despite your best efforts, your Tommy can accidentally urinate on your favorite hard floors. Follow the steps below to clean hardwood flooring having pet’s urine immediately:
✍️Note:
💡Tip:
You may also soak a towel in hydrogen peroxide to wipe the area, but only if it suits your hardwood floors. Remember, hydrogen peroxide is a strong chemical that can harm hardwood floors, unlike baking soda.
Also Read: Can You Vacuum Baking Soda?
🧑🏫How to Protect Wood Floors From Dog Urine FAQs
Does dog pee ruin hardwood floors?
Yes, hardwood floors are vulnerable to damage from chemical compounds in dog urine. Since dog pee is slightly acidic, it may damage the floor finish, especially if the urine dries. In addition, it may leave stubborn stains on the surface, form a dull cast, and cause discoloration.
How to protect hardwood floors from dog urine?
To protect hardwood floors from dog urine, you can follow these pet-proofing ideas:
1. Lay waterproof rug pads
2. Applying Penetrating oil to wooden floors
3. Apply Hardwood floor sealants
Will vinegar stop dogs from peeing in the same spot?
Yes, the vinegar smell is one of the trusted preventive measures to stop dogs from peeing in the same spot. Dogs hate the strong acidic smell of the common household cleaner. It will also eliminate the nasty odor if your furry friend has already peed on the hardwood floor.
What is the best flooring for dogs who pee?
Vinyl is the best floor finish for dogs who pee due to its high level of liquid resistance and simple maintenance. Additionally, dogs feel at ease or take a walk on vinyl since it is soft underfoot and provides a comfy surface.
What essential oils repel dogs from peeing?
Dogs dislike the smell of peppermint, lemon, and lavender. Therefore, you can use these essential oils in those places on floors where you don’t want urine stains.
Adarsh is a Health Science graduate with expertise in environmental health and wellness. He is a Neat Freak who constantly looks for ways to keep his surroundings clean. At Clean Homies, Adarsh is focused on researching and sharing information on how you can maintain hygiene at home for a happy life.