Most of our clients have a dog, a cat or both. A hardwood floor and a pet can live together very happily if you set things up well from the start.

Pick the right finish

Matte finishes hide fine scratches far better than gloss. A hard-wearing waterborne lacquer or a hardwax oil you can spot-repair are both good choices.

Lighter, wire-brushed boards also disguise wear better than dark, smooth ones.

Small daily habits

Keep claws trimmed, put a mat under the water bowl and a runner where your dog skids round the corner. Wipe up accidents quickly so they never soak into the timber.

When marks appear

Light scratches in the finish can be buffed and recoated in a day. That is far cheaper than waiting until they reach the wood.