Cats & Woodfloor

[shila]

Hello everybody,

I have had cats all my life and now that I have moved at my own home I want to get a new cat. The hoouse is pretty new and so is its woodfloor. I have been told by some people that cats could damage it. I am not sure what to do: I can`t live without a cat but the woodfloor is so expensive . Does any cat owner has woodfloor at his/her house? Do the cats damage it? I would be very grateful if you could help me. Thank you

[furrykidsmother]

I think that maybe if you put some scatter rugs around it would probably be OK. I don't think they would scratch it on purpose, but you know how kitties get to running and start sliding out of control. If there is some carpeting to slow them down I would think it would be safe for them and the floor.

Welcome to PT!!

[may51380]

My friend just put in all hard wood flooring in her house. She has 2 cats and 2 dogs. They have not had any problems - no claw marks. You can tell when they are coming towards you, you hear their paw steps - very cute.


Janine
Beth
Lulu
Joey

[lvpets2002]

Hey welcome to PT & enjoy the pictures & talks

I have had cats & woodfloors in the past & did not have a problem at all.. I put down some center rugs & hall runners & if they were sliding out of control the runners help them get a grip on things..

[Pamjee]

My Maxine has been running across my beautiful hardwood fllors for months without damaging the finish, but she has trouble keeping her footing on the slick surface so I've put down rugs for her. I also keep her claws trimmed. She looks so nice reflected in the floor finish!

[JenWhite]

I have three cats and hardwood flooring throughout our home. We do not have any trouble with the cats on our floor. We also have two boys (10 & 12) hardwood flooring is really quite durable. I swear by it

[BigCharles]

We pulled up the carpet in the living room and hall. The floors were a disaster! Had them sanded and refinished. Pulled up the carpet in the bedroom and the floor was intact and beautiful. We are doing the front "office" over Labor day and every indication is that that floor will be fine too.

(1) Hardwood vs. carpet! No contest. Cindy has massive allergies and the medications did not start to help untill we started the "carpet eradication" project.

(2) Two heavy duty cats chasing each other all over the house and no scratches from them. Me trying to move furniture, different story.

(3) Accidents. "It's not a question of IF a cat will throw up. The questions are when and how much." Yes, you can quote me on that. A floor PROPERLY sealed with Urathane will be simple to maintain. Even if the acids do dull a spot there are now wonderful products at your home center or DIY shop to fix that.


Besides there is NO substitute for the expression on the face of a cat trying to round a high speed corner or slam on the "breaks" on a polished surface.

[Mieko NAKAJIMA]

I have a wood floor and I cant see cat's scratching mark all over the wood floor. I guess I didn't cut her nails properly.
Can I do something with my floor now?:confused