We love our pets, but let’s be honest—they can be tough on our floors. From scratched hardwood to chewed carpet corners, cats and dogs can leave their mark in more ways than one. The good news is, most of this damage can be repaired without needing to replace the entire floor. Whether you’re a homeowner dealing with puppy accidents or a landlord preparing a rental after a pet-friendly tenant, here’s how to handle the most common types of pet damage.
1. Scratched Hardwood and Laminate
Dogs’ nails and cats’ claws can scratch wood or laminate floors over time. Shallow scratches may look bad but are usually repairable.
Fixes:
- Minor scratches: Use a wood touch-up marker or wax crayon that matches your flooring.
- Deeper scratches: Sand the area lightly and apply matching stain or finish.
- Laminate floors: Replace individual planks if damage is too deep.
LV Hardwood Flooring notes that engineered hardwood is more resistant to scratches than solid wood, making it a good choice for pet-friendly homes.
2. Carpet Pulls and Snags
Cats love to sharpen claws on carpet, leaving behind pulls and frays. Dogs sometimes dig near doors or chew carpet edges.
Fixes:
- Small snags: Carefully trim pulled fibers with scissors.
- Frayed seams: A professional can re-seam or rebind the carpet edge.
- Large damaged spots: Patch repair using leftover carpet or hidden sections (like from a closet).
Tony’s Flooring includes carpet tiles among good rental options because damaged sections are easy to swap out.
3. Pet Stains and Odors in Carpet
Accidents happen—but when left untreated, urine can seep into padding and subfloors, leaving stubborn odors.
Fixes:
- Fresh accidents: Blot (don’t rub) and clean with an enzyme-based cleaner.
- Older stains: Use a carpet spot-cleaner or professional hot-water extraction.
- Severe damage: Replace the affected carpet section and padding underneath.
The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) warns that untreated stains can permanently damage carpet fibers and shorten lifespan.
4. Chewed or Damaged Baseboards and Trim
Puppies love to chew—and baseboards often pay the price.
Fixes:
- Sand out minor chew marks and repaint.
- For deeper gouges, fill with wood filler, sand smooth, and repaint.
- In severe cases, replace the damaged trim section.
Prevention tip: Use bitter sprays or protective guards on baseboards if you have a persistent chewer.
5. Odors in Subfloors
In cases of repeated accidents, odors may seep into the subfloor beneath carpet.
Fixes:
- Remove carpet and padding.
- Clean subfloor with an enzyme-based odor neutralizer.
- Seal with a subfloor primer to block lingering smells before reinstalling flooring.
NACHI notes that untreated urine damage can also cause mold, especially in humid environments.
Quick Tips to Protect Floors from Pets
- Keep pets’ nails trimmed regularly.
- Place mats under food and water bowls.
- Use area rugs in high-traffic zones.
- Train pets to stay off certain areas if needed.
Conclusion
Pets are family—but they don’t have to mean destroyed floors. With the right repairs and preventive steps, you can enjoy a pet-friendly home without sacrificing your carpet or hardwood.
At Curlys Carpet Repair, we specialize in repairing carpet damage caused by pets—from patching chewed spots to fixing pulled seams. If your furry friends have been a little too hard on your floors, we’d be happy to help restore them.
