Tips On Making Your Home Comfortable For Your Senior Dog

by Amy Tokic

Published: November 8th, 2021

tips on making your home comfortable for your senior dog

Your dog deserves a comfortable retirement – here’s how to make it golden

He’s been by your side for a long time. Even though he’s not a playful puppy anymore, he’s still your loyal best friend. Depending on the breed, the senior years of a canine’s life can start anywhere from seven to 10 years of age. These are your dog’s golden years. You’ll notice that he’s moving slower; that his muzzle is starting to turn gray; that he’s more content to sleep on the couch than join you for a game of fetch. These changes may happen so gradually you may not even notice. But time sneaks up on us all… even our dogs. And you want to make your dog’s time as a senior is as comfortable as possible.

There are things you can do around your home to make life much more comfortable for your senior dog. Here are just a few things you can do:

Elevated dog bowls: Small things make a big difference. Bending over to eat or drink can put a strain on joints, especially for larger dogs. Buying elevated dog bowls for food and water can take a bit of the stain off of your dog’s neck and back, making meal time more comfortable. Many elevated bowls on the market are adjustable, allowing you to set the bowl at the perfect height for your dog.

Hardwood floors: Hardwood floors look nice, but they can be hard for a senior dog to walk on, especially if they have arthritis. Slips and falls will be inevitable, which can cause injuries. If carpeting is not an option, put down large area rugs to making walking around your home easier on him. Focus on placing rugs along regular travel routes in the home such as hallways leading to and from the bedroom. You should also consider putting rugs directly in front of any doorways that your dog regularly uses to go outside. If your dog comes in with wet or snow-covered paws, this will help prevent your dog from slipping.

Orthopedic dog beds: Made for maximum support, these beds cushion joints and bones and are ideal for arthritic dogs. Consider one that’s heated, comes with a bed warmer or a heated blanket (don’t turn them up too high – you don’t want to burn delicate skin). The combination of a supportive bed and heat will be therapeutic for your senior dog. Elevated beds are also a great choice as they make it easier for older dogs to get in and out of bed as they don’t have to get down to the ground.

Indoor potty station: Incontinence can be an issue for senior dogs. If mobility is an issue and outdoor bathroom breaks are out of the question, there are many indoor products available to you. You can use newspapers and potty pads, but there are more sophisticated systems on the market, such as the Pet Loo and Piddle Place. They let your dog do his business inside while leaving your home smelling fresh and making clean up easy for you.

Ramps: Your senior dog will need some extra help getting up and down the stairs, into the car, onto the couch or even to join you in bed at night. You can make your own ramp ( Kol’s Notes has a great how-to guide) or buy one. They come in a variety of sizes and prices, but can be well worth the price… especially if you have a larger dog you can’t lift on your own.

Stick to One Floor (or Carry): If possible, keep everything that your dog will need on one floor of your house to remove the need for stairs. If you do have a two-story home with important rooms on each floor, such as an upstairs bedroom, be prepared to carry your dog up the stairs if he can no longer climb them comfortably. For larger dogs that are hard or impossible to carry, there are lifting harnesses like those offered by Help ‘Em Up Harness that help your dog move comfortably without fully lifting him.

Tripping Hazards: As your dog gets older, he may not be as steady on his feet. He may also be experiencing a decline in his vision, hearing, or his overall awareness of his surroundings. If there are any tripping hazards in your home, this could put your dog at risk. Keep your floor clear of clutter. Take note of areas in your home that may be higher risk such as uneven floors or stairways and block them off if necessary.

Sharp Corners: Along the same line as tripping hazards, sharp corners may cause injuries if your dog bumps into them or trips and falls. Check the corners of any furniture in the areas that your dog has access to. If you notice that there are exposed sharp corners, consider using protective covers or even a piece of foam to put a buffer in place.

Avoid Major Redecorating: Making subtle changes in your home such as new blinds won’t cause a problem, however, if you’re redecorating or reorganizing a room that your dog frequents, you could be making it more difficult for him to navigate his space. As your dog gets older, he will rely less upon seeing his surroundings and more on his memory of where different objects are. If possible, avoid moving furniture and other large objects. Familiarity will be a source of comfort for your dog.

Temperature: As your dog gets older, he is going to be more sensitive to temperature changes. While you can’t control the temperatures outside, you can make your home more comfortable. Don’t hold off as long on turning on your air conditioning in the summer or your heat in the winter. This will help you keep your home at a consistent and comfortable temperature all year long.

Do you have any other tips to add to this list? If so, please add them to the comment section below for the rest of the community.

Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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6 Golden Tips on Hiking With Your Senior Dog

As dogs age, they tend to slow down – but it doesn’t mean they stop wanting to hang out with you. Here are some tips about hiking with your senior pooch. If you are lucky enough to love an old dog, you know that at this stage of their life, hitting the hiking trails is all about quality, over quantity. A pup who bagged peaks in their prime may still have the heart for it, but their body is looking for an adventure which is a little tamer. Follow these tips to keep your hiking buddy on the trail. Talk to Your Vet As our dogs get older, it’s recommended they see their vet at least every six months. This allows you to address any concerns right away. While some canine ailments can’t be entirely prevented, they can be managed and in many cases their severity can be reduced. Speaking with your vet about supplements and diet will go a long way to ensuring that the effects of arthritis are minimized. Related: Why Hiking Backpacks for Dogs Help Lighten the Load Set a Different Pace Your older dog will enjoy hitting the trail at a slower pace than when they were an insane pup. Plan to stop in the shady places for rest. If your old dogs sight isn’t what he used to be, allow some time to stop and sniff. Taking in the smells is enriching for dogs of any age. Your dog might have missed out on this opportunity as a young trail pup, as he was busy running to and fro. Consider sniffing as making up for lost time, all the things he missed when young. It’s All About Timing Timing is everything! The older our dogs get; the harder time they have regulating their temperatures. For warm weather adventures, aim to head out earlier in the day, to avoid the hottest part, and allow your dog to remain cool. In cooler weather conditions, aim to adventure during the warmest part of the day. Look for trails which are offer the appropriate shelter, shade for warm days, and wind blocks for colder weather days. With the right planning and the right trail your senior dog will still be able to get his kicks! Related: What Animals To Watch Out For While Hiking With Your Dogs Finishing Off Once the hike is over, your aging dog might need some assistance getting back into the vehicle. Consider buying a pet ramp, most models fold up nicely, and offer some sturdy assistance to get back into the car. Before your next big adventure, allow your senior dog some time some time to recover before the next outing. Recovering on a well-padded, elevated dog bed feels great and is easier to get up off of. In between hikes, keep your senior pet moving with multiple daily walks. Frequency is key for mobility. Your senior dog will be wagging his tail on the trail longer, with the right exercise regime. Talk to your veterinarian about daily exercises that will benefit your dog. Keeping the muscles strong, and the weight off, will help reduce the effects of aging. Rest and Recover As our beloved dogs age, they will need more time between outings to rest and recover. The amount of time will vary with your dog’s health, condition and the type of activity. Invest in a super awesome raised bed, easy on the joints and easier to get up off of. Just remember, rest days don’t mean no activity at all, just keep it short and easy. Don’t Leave Him at Home Your dog is your best friend, and after spending years and years together exploring the trails, it might just break your dog’s heart to leave them at home. Make some modifications and allowances for your dog, after all, your dog spent plenty of time in his youth waiting for you to catch up to him. Now it’s your turn to make a few modifications to be able to continue your adventures together. Because, that’s what best friends do.

Nine Toasty Tips To Keep Your Senior Dog Warm Outdoors This Winter

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2 Humans + 8 Dogs = 1 Big Custom Bed

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Your Dog Can Text You When He’s Gotta Go With New Barking Mat

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Adopter Visits a Dog Every Day for 2 Months to Earn the Pet's Trust

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The US National Park Service is Being Sued Over Stray Cats

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These Are the States With the Most Spoiled Doggos in 2023

With the holiday season fast approaching, it is the time for presents, cuddling, yummy meals and, to be honest, spoiling the one you love, including your four-legged bestie. But are there some pet parents that take it a bit too far, and if so, do we know in which states they live? If you are one of those owners who like to pamper their furry friend and spoil them to no end, stick around to find out who’s guilty of overindulging their doggo just like you!An interesting  Forbes Advisor survey estimates that around 22.2% of dog owners in the USA, or one in five, admit to having spent more money on  Christmas gifts for their dogs, rather than gifts for friends and family. This means that there are certainly some pampered and spoiled doggos to be found across the nation, but what is more interesting is that dog owners in certain states tend to spoil dogs more than in others. Now, after a nationwide survey, the results are in!With a score of 100 out of 100, Florida definitely wins as the state with the most spoiled dogs! The Sunshine State is reported to have around 66.5% of owners who spend more money on their dog’s health, grooming, and gifts, than on their own. They are also more likely to pamper dogs by perfuming them, pushing them in strollers, buying them clothes and gifts, or taking them to restaurants. Interestingly, the second place, and right behind Florida, is Alaska, with a score of 98.69 out of 100. Nearly half of all dog owners in this northerly state admit to regularly throwing birthday parties for their pooches, purchasing them special outfits, and even putting cologne on them. They too will spend more money on their pets than on themselves.Behind Florida and Alaska in places 1 and 2 respectively, are the following states:3. Washington - 91.82 out of 1004. Colorado - 82.04 out of 1005. California - 77.96 out of 1006. New Jersey - 77.52 out of 1007. Illinois - 77.23 out of 1008. Texas - 70.80 out of 1009. Delaware - 69.93 out of 10010. Virginia - 69.34 out of 100The survey also offered some indicators and activities that might suggest that you are spoiling your dog. If you regularly do some of these activities, you might be pampering your pooch as well!Taking family photos with the dog Ordering the dog a special treat at a restaurant Bringing the dog on vacationPushing the dog in a strollerSpending more money on the dog’s health and grooming than on their own Buying the dog outfits and accessoriesSo, what’s the result? Are you too on the list of owners who spoil their pets? Let us know!

Holiday Gifts for Your Cats: Tips and Recommendations

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Holiday Gifts for Dogs to Include Them in the Fun

It’s the gift giving season, and you’re thinking about all of the people you’ll buy presents for, but why not also add your canine companion to the list? With so many great products on the market, you can find the ideal gift for your dog so they can participate in the opening of presents with everyone they love. Here are some tips to help you find something that your pooch will get excited over.

“One-of-a-Kind” Cat With Two Noses Searches for Her Forever Home

As rescue cat parents and rescue advocates, we know firsthand that every cat has a unique story to tell. But some cats truly stand out and make their mark on the world. Nanny McPhee, a rescue cat who recently came into the care of the Cats Protection Warrington Adoption Centre. It’s not the way this sweet girl came into the shelter or her life before that has everyone talking… It’s a VERY unique physical feature – her nose, or “noses,” in her case! The sweet kitty lived in a loving home for the first four years of her life. Unfortunately, her previous owner had to make the difficult decision to contact a rescue due to health and financial reasons. When Nanny McPhee first arrived at the rescue, volunteers and rescue workers noticed a few things about the tuxedo kitty. First, she was a very gentle lady with a love for attention.“She has proven to be a gentle lady who adores a fuss and a cuddle, and we are hopeful her new-found fame will mean she will have no shortage of potential adopters,” shared shelter manager Lindsay Kerr. “She really does deserve a home where she can settle down and become the center of a loving family.” Second, they noticed she had a surprisingly large nose. It was this unique feature that led to her being named after the popular children’s character. But that signature sniffer was hiding an even bigger secret. A check-up with a local veterinarian revealed that the cat had not one but TWO noses, creating the appearance of one large snout. When asked about the discovery, senior field veterinary officer Fiona Brockbank explained that it was the first time they had seen this but that the cat’s unique appearance resulted from a congenital malformation. Other more common examples of this include cleft palates or cleft lips. These conditions can be inherited or caused by an incident during development in utero.

Why Does My Cat Have a Bald Spot?

Discovering a bald spot or missing fur on your cat can be both perplexing and concerning for any cat parent. A change in your cat’s coat could be nothing, but it could also be a red flag of behavioral issues or medical problems. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step to addressing the problem.In this post, we explore the mystery of cat alopecia, including possible explanations for cat hair loss, what you should do if you notice your cat has a bald spot, and how to prevent this problem from happening.Let’s get started…6 Reasons Your Cat May Have a Bald SpotThe first step to addressing your cat’s hair loss is to identify why it occurred. This will mean paying careful attention to other signs and symptoms, both physical and behavioral. Here are a few of the most common causes of significant hair loss in cats:Allergies and IrritationDoes your cat suffer from food allergies or environmental allergies? While most allergies won’t directly cause your cat’s hair to fall out, they trigger dry, itchy skin. As your cat scratches the area, trying to soothe the itch, they may damage the skin or hair follicles.Identifying the allergens can be difficult. You may wish to do allergy testing or try an elimination diet. But the good news is that once you know the trigger, eliminating it will solve the problem.OvergroomingCats are well-known for their careful attention to their grooming needs, licking themselves to keep their fur clean and shiny. However, there are some behavioral situations when a cat may start grooming excessively, causing damage to their coat or their skin, resulting in bald patches.The most common causes of overgrooming are stress and anxiety. Take a moment to reconsider your household and any recent changes that may have occurred. Did you move? Are you renovating your home? Did you add a new pet or family member to the household?Another potential behavioral explanation for overgrooming is obsessive-compulsive disorder. This may have started as stress or anxiety, or it may be genetic. OCD in cats could result from neurological conditions or other medical problems.