I'm in a tough spot with my 16-year-old chihuahua. She's been a perfect house-trained dog for most of her life, but recently developed dementia and is peeing all over the place. I'm worried our beautiful oak flooring is going to get ruined. I'm thinking of laying down some sheet vinyl over the hardwood in our bedroom where her bed is, plus installing a baby gate to keep her in that room when we're out. My main concern is whether doing this could cause moisture issues that would damage the wood underneath. Any other suggestions would be really appreciated too—I've tried taking her out more often, diapers, pee pads, crating her, and we're getting good vet care, but nothing seems to fully work.
3 Answers
I have an enclosed porch where I laid down a sheet vinyl remnant over carpet, which worked well for my dogs. It’s easy to clean, and you just need to keep an eye on odors. This setup has lasted me over 20 years without issue, so it might be worth considering a similar approach.
Using vinyl or linoleum can be a cost-effective option, and you might even find some remnants at flooring stores for a good price! However, moisture could be a concern based on your climate. Just try to keep the humidity low, and it should work out if your dog stays in that one room. You might want to consider a good cleaning regimen to avoid any issues beneath it too.
For a temporary fix, you could put down painter's plastic—it's inexpensive and can protect the wood. Although nothing that's cheap will last forever, it might hold up for a while. I would also recommend baby-gating her into a bathroom or kitchen if they have tile, and this way, you can keep the hardwood safe and still let her have space when you're not home.
Absolutely! It’s all about finding a balance between her comfort and protecting your floors.
That's a great tip! Plus, if she has a safe area, it might reduce her anxiety too.