Is Carpet or Wood the best floor for your pets?

        There's really not a good flooring surface for those four legged pets. The clawed variety called Dogs and Cats.

Carpet Vs. Wood Floors!

         Most people often think that hard wood floors are better than carpets when it comes to cleanliness from pets, but the truth is that hardwood has it's own set of problems. Dander still gets down into the areas between the boards, and over time creating odors, and sometimes unsightliness if it builds up to the point where you can see it on the surface. Then there's the issue of the animal's claws which are 100% sure to cause damage to the surfacing of your wood floor boards. That is unless you have them removed, and please, you should never do this to any animal. We are animal owners here, and they are members of our family, I personally consider it akin to mistreating a harmless child. Here is an article from the Humane Society on the matter - "Declawing Cats: Far Worse Than a Manicure".
         Wood doesn't hold as much dirt or allergens in it as carpet does, but rest assured it does hold some in. And it holds onto odors, really hard. It is equal to carpet or even worse in this respect. Is vacuuming a hardwood floor any easier than vacuuming a carpet. Not really, and then you will still need to damp mop the hard surface.

Dog Pee on Wood Floor!

        All dogs are territorial and like to use the same spot whether it is to pee, or just lay down on. See Wikipedia  for more.  Urine spots are another huge problem for carpet owners but dogs will go on a wood floor too. On the carpet the problem is that a dog, even a small dog, can have quite a bit of  urine to release. Who among us pet owners have not arrived home late from work and the poor dog just couldn't hold it anymore. Those large releases go straight through the carpet and into the padding. It's very hard, almost impossible, to get that urine stain and the associated odor out of the pad. Another issue is that dogs and cats get sick, at least to the point of throwing up, more often than us humans do. I don't have the statistics to back it up but it sure seems that way at my house. That vomit contains the food dyes from the treats we give them which may also dye your carpet fibers. The pet's stomach acid may also stain your carpets. Lastly there is the old scooting on their haunches across carpet to relieve that butt itch. You can see the video here:
These areas always start to get that Dog Smell. Pets produce a ton of odors from their pheromones, sweat glands, and their natural scent glands around their ears and paws. They also have anal sac scent glands that open from either side of the anus that they secrete from. Yep, I said secrete from. A poorly groomed pet can also hold a lot of dirt, along with their dead pet hair, and all kinds of bacteria.

 Now that you have been thoroughly inundated with the problems of pets lets provide you with some answers.

• First off is to train your dog so he doesn't go in the house. Here is an excellent source for dog training: The Dog Owners Guide! 
• Close off the house to your pets. The dirties parts of your home are normally where the pets are kept. You can get a better control over the cleanliness of the spaces of your home if you narrow down the areas to keep your pets.
• Lay a blanket down for them to lay on and keep it clean. This is so they are dirtying a blanket instead of dirtying your carpets or wearing out your wood floors. Wash that blanket weekly.
• Do not allow your pets to sleep with you or on the furniture.
• Brush your pet twice weekly, outside.
• Pepto- Bismol for your Dog's upset stomach. Read about it on Pet RX.
• Increase the changing of your home's air filters to monthly.  
• Scoop the litter box at least twice daily and replace it weekly. 
• Clean two parts of a dog on schedule: Their paws and their ears. Both emit lots of odor. 
• Vacuum using a vacuum with a Hepa filter and clean hardwood with a electrostatic mop.
• Put an easily cleanable place mat underneath your pet's food and water bowls.
• A full bath every two weeks.
• Use baby wipes for those hard to clean areas on your pet.
• Clip your animal's nails, or have your pet groomer do it. 
• Get the urine out asap! Wood or carpet - it doesn't matter. Pet urine will visually damage both if allowed to soak in. 

Sooo..... is Carpet or Wood Floors the best for pets? Either one that you like is the answer. There are pros and cons for each and neither type has any great advantage or disadvantage over the other. If we have to pic one it is .... Solid sheet Laminate! Thats right, the old vinyl floor that everyone had in their kitchens and bathrooms just a few years ago.