How to Senior Dog Proof Your House
Written by Courtney Bryson
You’ve heard of Puppy Proofing your home before bringing home a new puppy…
but have you ever thought about Senior Proofing?
You might have noticed this yourself… sitting “criss cross applesauce” isn’t as comfy, plus the actual getting up off the floor is harder as we age. Or, if you’ve found yourself feeling a little stiff after sitting in one place too long.
Our dogs go through a lot of the same aging process as they reach their golden years.
In this blog, I’m sharing my favorite tips & tricks to senior proofing your house to make your senior dog feel at home.
There are a few things you should think about when making your home as comfortable as possible for your senior dog.
1. Invest in a super comfortable dog bed
There are great orthopedic dog beds available to make it easier on your dog’s joints.
My dogs love the donut cuddler, and it’s big enough for them to share.
You can also look into heated dog beds for colder nights. Heat is soothing on old dog bones. Lira LOVES her heated dog bed almost year round.
2. Add some area rugs
If your house is mostly hardwood or tile like mine, consider adding some rugs with a no slip backing to help your dog move more easily around the house.
Just a tip: many aging dogs may also begin to have more inide potty accidents as a combination of it being harder to get up when they have to go, having less time between getting the “need to go” & “going” signal, and just having less muscle tone (you know, like when you have a really big sneeze come out of nowhere). If your dog is having a lot of accidents and has historically been very good at holding it, consider talking to your vet as there are some great medications that might be able to help.
Maybe not as aesthetically pleasing, but certainly easier to clean in case of accidents, you can even just put down yoga mats along areas where your dog needs extra traction (like in front of his food & water dishes) so he doesn’t feel like he’s slipping.
3. Do you need a ramp or pet stairs?
If your dog sleeps in your bed, you may want to think about adding study pet stairs to help her get into bed when jumping gets harder. You might even need pet stairs by her spot on the couch. Keeping extra stress off her joints will make her much more comfortable over all.
And if you have a larger breed senior dog, think about getting a folding ramp to make getting in and out of the car easier for both of you! I know there have been times when having a ramp for the hospice Great Pyrenees dogs we foster has made a huge difference. It’s not easy dead lifting a 100 lb dog!
With just a few tweaks, you can make your home more comfortable for your senior dog.
And, if your dog is age 10 or older, you should be a part of the #10over10 Senior Dog Project.
Sign up below to get all the details!
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In the Press
Courtney of CM Bryson is a pet portrait and lifestyle photographer who takes interesting narrative photographs of all sorts of pets –– cats, dogs, donkeys, you name it. She has an amazing ability to capture the fun-loving side of your pets, as well as their deep attachment to you, all while also being able to stage hilarious photoshoots that bring out the inner comedian in your little guys. Whether you’re looking for a serious, high-concept portrait or a hilarious photo of your pet sure to make you giggle for years to come, Courtney might just be the pet photographer for you.
