As our pets age, as with aging humans, they can become less steady on their feet. This can be due to various diseases including osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal disease, pain, neurologic disease or systemic illness. If you notice your pet is having trouble with their mobility, be sure to always seek advice from your veterinarian.
In this article we will discuss some easy modifications you can make to help prevent slips from occurring.
Flooring.
Common household floor materials include wood, concrete, and tile. In other words, shiny surfaces that are easy to clean. These smooth materials make for slick surfaces that can be difficult for your aging pet to manage. A great household modification that decreases the risk of slipping involves adding yoga mats (easy to clean) or carpet runners throughout the house to create a path for your pet to follow. Ensure the path easily leads them to their food dishes, beds and elimination areas (near doorways, potty pads or litter boxes). While they may not initially notice the path, over time they will come to realize they have better footing and use this path to navigate the house. It is also important to put non-slip backing on your rugs or yoga mats to prevent human slips.
Stairs.
If you have stairs in the home, it is best to cover each step with a non-slick surface such as adhesive carpet squares or anti-slip treads. If your pet is struggling to jump on the furniture, it can be useful to provide pet stairs to allow easier access to furniture. These simple modifications to the floors in the home can help prevent 85% of pet slips.
Food and water bowls.
Pets can have difficulty maintaining balance and their footing while eating. Unlike two-legged creatures, who can easily sit during meals, they rely on the ability to stand in one spot while dining. When a pet begins to slip and slide while they are attempting to eat, it can create discomfort, pain, and eventually, an actual aversion to eating. Simply placing a rug or mat under the food bowl and all four of your pet’s feet will increase their confidence when standing still to eat. Raising the food bowl up slightly can also help prevent slipping.
Dogs and cats carry much of their weight on their front end. As they age, it is common for them to develop arthritis in the back legs. This can cause them to further shift weight forward leading to musculoskeletal pain in the front. By raising the food bowls up, you can help reduce the weight they must shift forward while eating.
Litter boxes.
For cats, it is important to assess the location of their food bowls as well as their litter boxes. If the litter box is up a flight of stairs or their dish is on an elevated cat tree, these can be difficult to reach as your cat ages. By moving these essential items to the main living space, you can prevent any unwanted slips and falls.
Paw traction.
Finally, there are various ways you can improve the traction of your pets' paws. One simple technique is to ensure the extra fur (we like to call this “hobbit fur”) between the digital pads and metatarsal/metacarpal pads does not become overgrown. When this is overgrown it can reduce the traction the pads usually provide. This fur can be gently trimmed to the level of the pads with scissors or clippers.
Additionally, there are many products that can further increase the traction of the pads, including sprays, powders and stickers. Each product has pros and cons, we will discuss a few we are familiar with.
Show Foot® is a spray that is commonly used in the show ring for dogs. It is easy to apply to the paw pads via an aerosolized can. It gives just a bit of extra traction to prevent slipping.
Paw pad protection stickers are adhesives that you place on the pads themselves that allow extra grip and traction. These are easy to apply, and most dogs do not mind the stickers on their feet. However, they are quick to fall off when they get wet or if the pet is active outside. Many are made from the same material as kinesiology tape; therefore, they are easy to remove with minimal discomfort.
Socks, booties and rubber dog boots are just a few of the other types of “shoes” you can place on your dog’s paws to decrease slipping. These are easy to apply, but some dogs dislike the feeling of having them on their feet. You may need to try multiple types to find one that is a good fit for your pet.
Lastly, a product called Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips® can be placed on each individual nail to improve the nail’s ability to grip and gain traction on surfaces. These do have a bit of a learning curve when placing them on the toes to ensure correct placement. Some pets tolerate the grips well while others do not, especially if they hate having their feet or toes touched.
There are many other products available. Unfortunately, none of these are the “miracle one” that works for all pets, and it may take trial and error to determine what is best for your pet.
Keeping your pet safe at home.
As our pets age it can be difficult to see them struggle with their mobility. Always seek veterinary advice if you feel your pet is in pain. These tips and tricks can help prevent further slips, falls or accidents to keep them living their best life into their senior years.
