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As our precious pups get older, they often struggle to walk on hardwood, tile and other smooth floors. Their legs may not be as strong, their balance may change, and those adorable paw paws just don’t grip the way they did.
As a senior dog mom in a home with hardwood floors, it was very difficult to watch our 15.5 year old love bug struggle to stay upright.
When he started showing signs of leg weakness and back leg splaying the first thing we did was consult with his vet. After that, I immediately started looking for every possible way to help him stay upright. Eventually we figured a combination of products work best.
The easiest way to help your pup with traction is to create walking paths with non-slip rugs and yoga mats. It's not the most attractive home decorating aesthetic, but is so worth it because it has helped him tremendously. We've fully embraced the yoga mat/rug look for most of our flooring.
#1 Essential: Make slippery floors non-slip.
There are several products that help achieve this goal. Use each one (or a combination of them) depending on your space.
YOGA MAT MATERIAL. This roll Voyage 5mm Thick Yoga Mat Roll — 50 ft. of yoga mat is the way to go Comes in a couple of shades and you simply cut to size.
The long yoga-mat roll lets you create a continuous non-slip pathway through the areas your dog uses most. It becomes their own little non slip highway!
RUG NON-SLIP PADS. GORILLA GRIP Slip Resistant Rug Gripper Pads
Cut to size. Make sure any existing area rugs are secure. Also works great for in the car to cover the seat, or to fill in other smaller slippery areas.
NON SLIP RUGS. GORILLA GRIP WeatherMAX Door Mat
Depending on your space adding some of these rugs might make sense.
ANTI-SLIP GRIP TAPE. For areas where a mat or rug just doesn’t make sense, anti-slip tape can be incredibly useful. Think ramps, slick thresholds, stair treads.
#2 Essential: Paw Aids
These little rubber grips fit around your dog’s toenails and provide extra contact with the floor when they walk.
What I especially like about ToeGrips is that they don’t cover the entire paw. Your dog can still feel the floor beneath them while the grips help give the nails something to catch onto.
Proper sizing and placement matter, so take the time to measure carefully and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
For some senior dogs, this simple little change can help them feel much more confident moving around the house.
Another Paw Option: Non-Slip Socks:
DOK TigerToes Premium Non-Slip Dog Socks
Some dogs do better with socks, especially when they need more coverage than a nail grip provides.
These have extra-thick grip material designed to keep providing traction even if the sock rotates a little—which, if you have ever put socks on a dog, you know is going to happen.
I would use these when you can keep an eye on your dog and make sure the socks remain comfortable and properly positioned.
Our senior dogs have spent their entire lives loving us. If making the house a little less Pinterest-perfect helps keep them upright, independent and more comfortable in their later years, it is 100% worth it.
A quick senior-dog mom note: Please consult your veterinarian right away if you notice any new or worsening symptoms. Slipping can also be caused by pain, arthritis, weakness, neurologic problems, overgrown nails or paw issues. If your dog’s mobility has noticeably changed, it is worth having your veterinarian take a look. Traction aids can make the home safer, but they do not replace veterinary care.