From puppy piddles to older dog incontinence, it’s relatively common for dog owners to face urine related accidents with their dogs. Whatever the reason, the thing that matters is how you handle it. Different types of flooring have different challenges, but one of the most common is laminate. You may need to work with your dog on training or put down pads to soak up accidents. Most importantly, you have to clean it up thoroughly if you don’t want it to ruin your floors.
Will dog pee ruin laminate flooring? Dog pee can soak into laminate and subflooring, causing permanent bad smells and even warping. Fortunately, you can clean up with enzyme cleaners before things get that bad.
Puppy Pee on Laminate Floors
Training new puppies not to pee on laminate floors can be difficult at first. Especially if you work long hours or have a very stubborn pup, the frustration can be a problem. Take deep breaths. Your dog is worth the time it takes to teach them how to behave.
Make sure you’re consistent about your training methods. Go out at the same times every day to teach your dog when potty breaks will happen. They’re smart and will remember. It can take a lot of patience to work with a puppy and get them to wait.
Until they ‘get it’ one of the best things you can do is figure out where they have decided to pee and put down pads to protect your floors. Some pet owners use disposable piddle-pads, but that’s not very good for the environment.
Take these steps to protect your laminate flooring from dog pee:
- Always train dogs to go outside.
- Put down pads to soak up messes.
- Clean up right away. Don’t procrastinate no matter what time it happens.
- Once you soak up most of the mess, use an enzyme cleaner to get the rest.
- Put down baking soda to dry things out and handle any lasting smells.
- Replace subflooring and laminate if urine has soaked in and warped them from below.
Choose a Washable Pad to Protect Your Floors from Dog Pee
Rather than filling up a dump with more non-biodegradable plastics, opt for washable, reusable pee pads. Not only do they wash up quickly with some borax, but they look much nicer on the floor. If your dog lives a good long life, they may need them again when they get old, so store them somewhere out of the way after your puppy learns to pee outdoors.
I prefer the KOOLTAIL Reusable Non-Slip Plaid Puppy Potty Training Pads from Amazon. The washable plaid pads look much more attractive than plastic pads, and I appreciate the non-slip treatment because it keeps the pad in place. You can pick some up by clicking right here.
You’ll save money in the long run by using the washable pads. I have two sets to get through more than a week at a time, in case I get too busy for laundry. Pre-treat them with a pet stain cleaner, or some baking soda, and tie them up in a plastic bag until you can wash them. Your nose will thank you, and they’ll look nice a lot longer.
You can also get a PetSafe Pet Loo Portable Indoor/Outdoor Dog Potty if you or your pup prefer fake grass. You can find them on Amazon by clicking here.
Worried About Dogs Peeing on Laminate Floors?
As your dog ages, they may have incontinence and pee on your laminate by accident. While this is unfortunately common, you should always talk to your vet. Make sure there’s nothing seriously wrong, and check to see what else you can do for an older dog.
Alternately, if you have a younger, potty trained dog who suddenly starts peeing on your laminate floor, then you have a problem. You either need a dog trainer or a vet depending on the circumstances.
If things have changed a lot around your house, like when you get a new pet, change jobs or have a baby, the dog may be protesting. When your pooch feels you’re being unfair or doesn’t like the way things are going, they say so. Because they don’t have words, this is how they tell you.
Regardless of which issue you’re having with your dog, you need to determine what the problem is. Once you know, you can address the root cause more effectively to save your floors and your nose.
Here are the three most common pee problems:
- Incontinence- A dog who wakes up in a puddle is having bladder problems. Scolding them and re-training won’t work in this case because it’s not your dog’s fault, and they cannot control the problem.
- Submissive or Excited Pee- Puppies and some small dogs do this most commonly. If the pee-pee problem only happens when they get worked up, or always when you get home, then it’s submission or excitement. Instead of scolding, which could make the problem worse, talk to a trainer or vet about how to slowly work past the issue.
- Expression- When your dog is too anxious or upset, they may express it by peeing around the house. Training a dog not to do this is the same as training a puppy. It requires constant supervision and a lot of patience.
Crating Dogs Who Pee on Laminate Floors
Some people consider crate training because their dog pees on the floors. If saving your laminate from urine is your only reason, I suggest working on potty training instead. A crate may be an option to assist with the process, but it shouldn’t be a punishment.
While some people feel crates are cruel, however, dogs create dens for themselves in nature. Playing on that instinct can help you and your pooch solve a problem. Dogs don’t like to soil their dens, so a crate can help you train them properly, and transport them safely.
It’s best to start crate training young, but older dogs can certainly learn. Never make a fuss about the crate. Once your dog goes inside, praise them briefly and give a small treat. Keep in mind that crating is not recommended for dogs whose pet parents are away for eight or more hours a day.
Never crate as punishment. All it will teach your dog is to be fearful or ashamed. They’ll soon resent and refuse the crate instead of enjoying their ‘doggy den’ time.
Choosing the Right Kennel to Avoid Pee on Your Floors
Pee on the floor isn’t the only trouble a dog can get into while you’re gone. If you’re worried about a puppy teething on furniture or wires, crating may be a safer option. Make sure you choose an appropriately sized crate.
When I first got my dog, I picked up a MidWest iCrate Starter Kit, and it’s been outstanding. The soft bed and included cover and bowls provided everything I needed to move cross country. However, you can use yours for training and preventing piddle problems. Check out prices and availability here.
Cleaning Up Urine from Laminate Floors
The best way to keep dog pee from damaging laminate floors is to clean up right away. Before the smell has any time to soak in, or the uric acid can damage any surfaces, soak up the pee. If you were gone while the dog peed and it’s dry, then put a warm wet cloth over it to get up most of the puddle.
After you’ve gotten most of the mess up, use a good enzyme cleaner to get rid of the biological compounds and odor. I use No Scent Crate Kennel & Floor – Safe All Natural Probiotic & Enzyme Formula in my house. You can find more details by clicking here.
Enzyme cleaners work by breaking down the ‘stuff’ (biological compounds) in urine that create smells. Most pet owners have had great success using them to get rid of dog pee. Some other natural products may help with cleaning up urine: soda water, baking soda, and vinegar. You may need to refinish the laminate’s surface or replace it because of the acid content in urine.
Dog Pee Under Laminate
Unfortunately, often, when there’s damage under the laminate, the only choice is to replace the flooring. Urine will soak into the particleboard or cement below and cause ongoing odor issues. You may notice warping or soft spots when you look at or touch a place that was soaked in dog pee.
Cement may be cleanable if you remove the laminate and soak it in enzymes. However, wood is usually not so lucky, especially if it has warped as a result of dog pee. The warping is caused by swelling in the boards. When urine gets into the fibers, it can become impossible to remove.
Final Thoughts
Dog pee can undoubtedly cause problems with your laminate flooring. From wrecking the surface to more in-depth issues, you should always clean it up right away. Even when you weren’t able to catch it as soon as it happens, mop up and hit it with a pet stain cleaner as soon as you notice the accident.
Canine urine can ruin more than just the floors. If you leave it untreated, the smell will not go away on its own. Not only will it bother you, but family, roommates, and even visitors will not enjoy the scent. People may also avoid visiting you. Moreover, if you rent, your landlord won’t be happy.
Don’t let a little piddle ruin your laminate floors. Get to it ASAP and use enzyme cleaners to break up the biologically active parts of the stain.