Pets are members of your family. So, it’s critical to provide them with a comfortable and secure environment. One aspect of this is ensuring that your pet’s room’s flooring and furniture are safe for them— particularly if they like to chew on stuff.
Using pet-safe wood finish and stains on the floor is one of the best ways to guarantee that your dog and other pets thrive in an eco-friendly environment.
But with hundreds of wood finishes and stains flooding the market, how can you pick pet-safe wood finishes? That’s where we come in handy. We have compiled a list of the best non-toxic stains suitable for your project.
Our Top Picks
Pet Safe Wood Finish
- Rust-Oleum Zinsser 704H 1-Quart Bulls Eye Amber Shellac – Pet safe sealant
- Watco 241758 Butcher Block Oil & Finish, Clear – Animal safe clear coat
- Rust-Oleum 285140 Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint – Pet safe wood paint
- SEAL-ONCE Nano+Poly Penetrating Wood Sealer – Non toxic wood sealer for pets
- Eco Wood Treatment EWT1, 1 US Gallon – Best pet safe wood protection
- SamaN Interior Water Based Wood Stain – Best pet safe wood stain
- Tried & True – Stain – Java – Pint – Animal safe waterproof wood sealant & Stain
- Furniture Clinic Wood Stain – Eco-friendly wood stain
Pet Safe Wood Finish Reviews
1. Pet safe sealant – Rust-Oleum Zinsser 704H 1-Quart Bulls Eye Amber Shellac
- This product adds a great value
- All-Natural, non-toxic, easy to use
- Classic finish for wood trim, paneling and furniture
If you are searching for a natural and non-toxic finish and sealer, your search ends here! This pet-friendly paint for wood could be the answer.
Rust-Oleum Zinsser 704H 1-Quart Bulls Eye Amber Shellac is easy-to-use. You can apply it with a cloth, spray gun, or a high-quality brush.
It dries quickly to a hard, long-lasting finish that will protect your surfaces from wear and tear. Plus, it’s ammonia-free. So you can use it around the house with peace of mind.
What We Liked Most
- Once you mess up, you just sand it off and move on unabated
- It gives you a fantastic amber finish
- It’s a good choice to use on exotic timber
- It’s VOC free
What Could Be Improved
- You have to apply more than one coat for pro results
2. Animal safe clear coat – Watco 241758 Butcher Block Oil & Finish, Clear
- Protects interior wood surfaces such as butcher blocks, cutting boards, salad bowls and more
- Non-toxic, food safe wood oil is easy to apply with no brush marks
- Dries to the touch in 2 hours and covers up to 50 sq. ft. , ready for use after 72 hours
Watco Butcher Block Oil & Finish is the easy way to protect and enhance the beauty of your butcher block, cutting board, or other wood surfaces.
This non-toxic, food-safe oil is easy to apply with no brush marks. It dries quickly and leaves a beautiful, protective finish.
Watco Butcher Block Oil & Finish is the perfect way to protect your surfaces from wear and tear. This product comes in a clear formula, making it ideal for keeping your butcher block looking its best!
You have more options to apply it onto a surface. You can use a quality stain brush or use a lint-free cloth. Use denatured alcohol to clean the surface before applying the stain.
You can also use it on other interior surfaces, such as salad bowls and cutting boards.
What We Liked Most
- It’s easy to apply
- It works as advertised
- It works better than mineral oil as it penetrates the wood giving it optimal protection
What Could Be Improved
- It’s sticky when applied
3. Best Pet safe wood paint – Rust-Oleum 285140 Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint 30 oz
- Use on a variety of interior surfaces like wood, metal, ceramic, canvas and easily distress to create a vintage look
- Low-odor, latex formula allows for easy clean up with soap & water
- Dries to the touch in just 30 minutes and covers up to 150 sq ft, 1-coat coverage allows projects to be completed easily. For best results: Lightly scuff high gloss surfaces with sand paper or a sanding sponge. Apply 1-3 even coats 30 minutes apart
Rust-Oleum 285140 Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint is your secret weapon for giving any room in your home a custom look.
Whether you’re going for a shabby chic vibe, a rustic country feel, or just want to add some personality to your walls, this product is the perfect way to do it.
You can use this pet friendly paint for wood even on metal, ceramic, and canvas. And if you want to give your old furnishings or cabinets a new lease on life, this product will do that too. All you need is a brush (or roller) and some creativity.
Scuff high-gloss areas lightly using sandpaper or a sanding sponge for excellent results. Apply 1-3 evenly spaced coats thirty minutes apart. It has superb adhesion, easy to apply with minimal preparation, and dries to a silky- ultra mate finish.
What We Liked Most
- It’s affordable
- It gives you a gorgeous color
- It’s low in low volatile organic compounds ( VOC)
- It’s excellent for creating a distressed look
What Could Be Improved
- Topcoat yellows the paint
4. Non toxic wood sealer for pets – SEAL-ONCE Nano+Poly Penetrating Wood Sealer with Polyurethane
- WATER-BASED POLYURETHANE WOOD FINISH: Our sealant provides top-notch protection against wear and tear in high traffic areas. It's odorless and ideal for use on wood siding, log homes, swing sets, outdoor furniture, wooden deck and fence, and more.
- WOOD SEALANT: Unlike many sealers that only form a topcoat, our protector penetrates below the surface to create a long-lasting, water-resistant shield around the wood.
- FLOOR SEALER APPLICATOR: Our premium gloss is ultra-low VOC and great for enhancing the extended life of your exterior flooring. The sealant can be safely applied around your home, landscaping, vegetation, or over any water area.
This pet-safe, clear coat offers superior protection against water damage, mold, and rot. It also eliminates warping and cupping.
The wood protection penetrates the surface of the wood to create an adjustable, breathable barrier that coats your wood fibers at the cellular level using specialized nanotechnology.
This water-based wood finish combines proprietary nanotechnology with the strength of polyurethane. It is guaranteed to keep water out for ten years on your vertical surfaces and six years on horizontal surfaces.
This water-based wood stain protects against wear and tear in high traffic areas. As a result, it’s a good choice for wood decks and walkways.
In addition, it goes on milky white and dries clear; thus, it’s perfect for use on unfinished interior and exterior wood projects.
What We Liked Most About this Animal Safe Waterproof Sealant
- It’s easy to use
- You get professional results in just two coats
- It’s odorless and works as advertised
What Could Be Improved
- You may have to refinish each year
5. Best Pet safe wood protection – Eco Wood Treatment EWT1, 1 US Gallon
- HIGHLY EFFECTIVE - This no-maintenance wood stain will not wear off, will not fade, and will not peel. Eco Wood Treatment migrates and covers the exposed wood as cracking occurs. Enhance your wood’s natural beauty and leave a silver patina finish.
- NO CHEMICALS - Made of 100% organic compounds! Eco Wood Treatment is a powder composed of natural substances from minerals. It contains no solvents and leaves no harmful residue in water or soil.
- SAVE TIME - You save in multiple ways when Eco Wood Treatment is purchased. Apply just one application of this product and there is no need to ever restain, and no-maintenance.
Eco Wood Treatment is the perfect choice for anyone looking to preserve their surfaces without any added hassle. This long-lasting, no-maintenance stain will not fade, peel, or wear off.
It’s the best animal-friendly wood preservative that amplifies the natural beauty of timber to give you a silver patina finish.
Use this non-toxic Eco Wood Treatment on decks, fences, hardwood floors, siding, picnic tables, outdoor furnishings, flower pots, birdhouses, rabbit hutches, etc.
Eco Wood Treatment is a powder made of natural oils and other organic substances. It doesn’t have any solvents and leaves no harmful residue in the water or soil.
What We Liked Most
- It’s easy to apply
- It gives you good results
- It works as advertised
What Could Be Improved
- It’s pricey
6. Best pet safe wood stain – SamaN Interior Water Based Wood Stain & Natural Furniture
- 20 YEARS OF NORTH-AMERICAN EXCELLENCE: The preferred choice of professional woodworkers and DIYers in North America. SamaN also promotes greener products.
- SAFE TO USE PRODUCT: Odorless and low VOC, risk free for health of the users, pets and the environment.
- HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCT: Protects and elevates wood’s beauty on all your renovation or decoration projects. No overlapping marks, no need for a conditioner and fast easy application in just one coat.
SamaN Interior Water Based Wood Stain is a pet-safe wood protector that preserves and enhances the beauty of timber.
The good news is that it’s the perfect pet safe wood stain for professional woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts as it provides fantastic, long-lasting results.
You can use it on most surfaces without the need for professional tools. You will not struggle with overlapping marks, and you won’t need a conditioner.
The application is quick and easy in just a single coat. Because the stain is water-based, it is safe and easy to clean after using it on moldings, raw wood paneling, window sills, and cabinets.
It’s one of the best non-toxic wood stains available in forty different colors so that you pick the color that best matches your interiors for your home or business.
What We Liked Most
- It’s available in different colors
- It dries quickly
- It gives you long-lasting protection
- Safest wood stain
What Could Be Improved
- The price is high
7. Animal safe waterproof wood sealant – Tried & True – Stain – Java – Pint
- The Java is the darkest color stain from Tried & True, designed to replicate a concetrated coffee stain. The pigments are dark enough to mask all but the darkest natural woods. Stir before each use!
- 100% Renewable, safe for food & skin contact. No need for PPE or ventilation while using, gloves will prevent staining of your skin. No petrochemicals or heavy metals.
- The benefits and quality of Tried & True's Danish Oil Finish blended with natural pigment powders. No dyes, no synthetic compounds.
Are you looking for a wood stain that’s both safe and beautiful? Look no further than Tried & True – Stain. This pet safe paint for wood is perfect for adding a touch of warmth to any surface.
It’s even safe for contact with food and skin. Plus, it’s an easy-to-use formula. So, it makes it simple to achieve the perfect finish. Are you looking for a new, renewable way of treating your wood projects?
This stain is made from 100% renewable ingredients and contains no chemicals. So if you are wondering if it would hurt your skin if it came into contact with it, worry no more.
You can use it as a stand-alone stain or topcoat with other Tried & True products to get a fine finish. It’s available in three sizes quart, pint, or gallon.
What We Liked Most
- It’s non-toxic
- It’s alcohol-free
- Its volatile organic compounds are low
- It gives you gorgeous colors
- Best non toxic wood sealant.
- It’s easy to rub on
What Could Be Improved
- It takes longer to dry
8. Eco-friendly wood stain – Furniture Clinic Wood Stain | Non-Toxic Wood Stain
- EFFECTIVE ON ALL SURFACES and QUICK DRYING: Furniture Clinic Wood Stain is a fast drying and highly concentrated wood stain making it effective on all indoor and outdoor wood surfaces. Our wood stain provides excellent coverage and ensures even color penetration. It's water based, environmentally friendly, and dries to a natural matte finish in only 10 minutes.
- COMES IN 12 COLORS - VISIBLE WITH ONE COAT: Our wood stain comes in 9 colors ranging from dark to light and can be purchased in multiple sizes. It evenly covers and stains wood in one coat, restoring old and tired wood with a new finish.
- SAFE TO USE: The water based formula of our stain is safer for your wood and the environment than other wood stains. It's low odor, non-toxic, easy to use, and easy to clean up! Ideal for use on all interior wood projects: furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, floors and more.
Are you searching for an easy way to restore the natural beauty of your wood surfaces using non-toxic wood stains? Look no further than Furniture Clinic Wood Stain!
This animal-friendly wood preservative is perfect for use on indoor and outdoor wood. It has excellent coverage and even color penetration. In addition, the stain is fast-drying, water-based, and environmentally friendly.
Bring new life to old, tired pieces with Furniture Clinic Wood Stain! This non-toxic wood finish is available in nine colors and two sizes, so you can find the perfect match for your project.
In addition, it’s easy to use – just one coat evenly covers and stains the wood, restoring it to its former glory.
What We Liked Most
- It’s a low VOC and low odor formula
- Easy to use and clean up
- It injects new life even into old, ugly wood
What Could Be Improved
- It’s expensive
Pet Safe Wood Finish Comparison Table
Read More: Non Toxic Wood Stain for Garden Beds
Critical Facts to Keep in Mind Regarding Non toxic Wood Sealant & Pets
Let the products dry completely before allowing them to come into contact with your four-legged friends to keep them safe from toxic chemicals.
When using any chemicals, keep a keen eye on your pets! These chemicals can negatively impact your pet’s respiratory system. So, keep them as far away from you as possible while treating the wood.
Just because these stains are pet-friendly, it does not mean that they are not harmful. So, keep an eye out and ensure nothing goes out of hand.
If you discover that your pets have consumed any of the chemicals used during the staining procedure, contact your local veterinarian right away.
To keep your dogs and their claws away from the treated areas, ensure to work in a room with good ventilation not easily accessible to your pets until the area has fully cured.
Protect the treated surfaces – Even after application, your beloved dogs or cats might scratch the furniture, floors, or walls before the finish is fully cured and cause massive damage to the treated area.
Remember, these wood finishes do not offer protection from this type of damage. So, you must keep them away from such surfaces for a while.
FAQs
Is boiled linseed oil toxic to dogs?
Boiled linseed oil is safe for dogs unless consumed in massive quantities. The flax plant contains small amounts of cyanide-producing compounds, making it toxic if swallowed in large amounts. Toxin levels can differ depending on the variety, season, and climate. Because cyanogenic glycosides are destroyed during processing, flax oil and other ingredients are safe for dogs. Nonetheless, an overdose will still result in adverse symptoms. Walnut oil is safe for dogs. Linseed oil-based products are safe for pets as well.
Also read: Is boiled linseed oil food safe?
Is polyurethane safe for pets?
No. polyurethanes, particularly oil-based polyurethanes are hazardous to pets. Whereas the smell alone can be irritating, long-term exposure to VOCs and isocyanates might cause cancer. That’s why you should opt for water-based polyurethane if you are a pet parent.
Read also: Is polyurethane food safe when dry?
Is shellac safe for pets?
Yes. Dry and cured shellac is entirely inert. It’s even used as a coating for pills. However, it’s always good to keep your guard up when treating wood, no matter what wood finish you are using. Always follow the manufacture’s safety suggestions or precautions when handling shellac and other products.
Recommended read: How long does it take shellac to dry?
Is varnish safe for dogs?
Not all varnishes are pet-friendly. Because Pets are naturally curious, they may chew on or lick paint/varnish before it has dried completely. Also, they walk through freshly varnished are. While self-grooming, small amounts of varnish that get on the pet’s skin, fur, or paws may be ingested. Lead-based varnishes are highly toxic and should never be used near pets.
Is teak oil toxic to animals?
Yes. Teak oil contains a harmful chemical referred to as Naphtha. The chemical is toxic to pets and can harm their delicate lungs and liver through inhalation, ingestion, and even skin contact. Though you can use teak oil to seal the timber, keep your pets away from the site you are working from.
Is a wood filler pet safe?
Yes. Wood filler is non-poisonous to pets once fully cured. Note the wood filler will dry soon after you open it. However, you can revive it by grinding it with a pestle and mortar, mixing it with water, and using it again. However, be vigilant and do not let your pets come in contact with it until it’s scorched.
Is Danish oil safe for pets?
Yes, it is. Danish oil is safe for all your pets. Also, it is suitable for use on children’s toys and other indoor furniture. Danish oil is entirely safe even for infants.
Is tung safe for pets?
Vernicia fordii, also known as the tung tree or the tung oil tree, contains toxic saponins and glycosides. Consumption of this plant can be fatal, and you should treat it as a medical emergency.
If your pets consume any tung oil wood finish before it fully cures, immediately contacts your veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic.
Read More: Is It Safe to Stain Wood Indoors?
Conclusion
Pets have been adored members of a family, and they’ll be as long as we live. Their safety should be your priority in your woodworking projects and everything you do around your home.
A pet safe wood finish should give your beautiful maximum protection from elements without putting your pet’s safety in jeopardy. It should not contain harmful chemicals found in other wood finishes.
Our top pet-safe wood finish is 1 qt Rust-Oleum Brands 285140 Linen White Chalked Ultra Matte Paint. It’s non-toxic, easy to use, and relatively affordable. Good luck with all your projects.
My partner has covered our table with Tung Oil finish. My question is once the oil has cured. Is it safe around my cat and can be brought back inside, as she is always sitting on the table
Allow the tung oil to cure first. It’s not safe