The latest craze in homes is to replace all the stinky, dirty carpets with hardwood floors. You cannot deny that hardwood floors make a home look modern and elegant.
But, did you ever stop to consider the difficulty your dog – especially your senior dog – may have with the new floor? Your dog has nails on his paws that are designed to dig into the earth (or ground) for better traction. With hardwood floors, there is nothing to sink into. Sometimes, a senior dog ends up having to tiptoe on a hardwood floor. Any slips or falls could cause a pinched nerve, torn ligament, fractures, or swollen joints. If you do have hardwood floors, we have complied some tips to help your senior dog.
- Keep their nails trim. A shorter nail will allow your dog to walk more normally.
- Keep their foot pads free from fur too. The fur in between their toes only makes it easier to slip and fall.
- Have some rugs in important places. Like the bottom of the stairs or in the high traffic areas to help them keep secure footing.
- Be sure their sleeping spot has rugs or a non-slip pad, so they can easily navigate (and get up and down)!
- Consider having a carpet runner on the stairs or have restricted access.
You can have a stylish and safe home! You just have to be a little more aware of what your dog needs and make sure they can walk without being injured!
Feature Image Source: Pixabay