Protecting your home's flooring when adopting a dog

If you've been mulling over the decision to adopt a dog, you may have heard horror stories on TV and elsewhere about how dirty dogs can be. While your furniture and other furnishings can be a big concern, taking care of your flooring is also vitally important. It's true that dogs can be mischievous, but the reality is far different when you're a responsible dog parent. Safeguarding your flooring from potential mishaps is actually quite easy, and it may just improve your companion's quality of life. Give a few of these tips a try when you bring your pooch home from a New York animal shelter.

1. Use elevated food bowls. The back-and-forth sliding of food bowls can wreak havoc on your flooring, so it may be wise to incorporate an elevated system instead. This will keep the bowls in place, and it can actually promote better digestion by allowing your dog to ingest his or her food while being upright. You should also consider placing a small rubber mat underneath the bowls to prevent any damage from water spillage.

2. Regular grooming. Your pooch's nails are another potential trouble spot that can scratch your floors when he or she is running around the house. Frequent trips to the groomer are not only beneficial for your canine's comfort level, but they can keep your dog's nails at the right length. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that when you start to hear your dog's nails clicking on the floor when he or she is running, it's time to give them a clipping!

3. Area rugs. If you have certain areas of your home that experience high traffic, area rugs may be a great solution to protect the aesthetic beauty of your flooring. Consider putting them down in your hallways and around high-use areas of your kitchen and entryways. Not only will these keep your floors safe, but they will add a welcome burst of color and style to your living spaces.

Bringing a dog into your home will mean more than a few lifestyle changes, but protecting the integrity of your flooring should be one of your top priorities. Thankfully, whether you're bringing your pooch home to an apartment or a house, there are plenty of ways to keep your abode looking great.