One of the best gifts in this life is having the opportunity to stay with your dog while they grow old. While you may still have many years together, making adjustments to your home and lifestyle can ensure they live their short lives in as much comfort as possible.
Implement these changes as needed to improve your senior dog’s quality of life and keep their tail wagging longer. Here are six tips on making your home more accessible for your senior dog.
1. Consider Mobility Aids for Your Home and Exploration
There are a variety of changes you can make to your home, both permanent and temporary, that will improve your senior dog’s quality of life.
Pet stairs and ramps may make it easier to reach spaces that they once jumped up to effortlessly, like couches, your bed, or your car. Look for options that have a non-slip surface and a gentle slope or deep steps. If you have a larger dog, make sure you pay attention to weight limits.
Do not use stairs or ramps if you feel your pet cannot keep themself steady at greater heights or maintain their balance while using the aid. In some cases, you may need to use gates to block off problem areas built into the house like stairs or rooms where your pet gets “lost”.
If you have hard flooring like wood or tile, consider adding rugs with non-slip pads to give your dog better traction. If this is not an option, there are plenty of boot styles and even grip stickers for paw pads that can help them stay upright in the home.
Finally, bringing a stroller along on your walk can keep them active without worrying about carrying them home. Three-wheels tend to work better for jogging and smaller dogs, while 4-wheel strollers are best for short walks or larger dogs.
2. Upgrade Their Resting Spots
It happens to humans too; as we get older, getting up out of soft couches and beds becomes more difficult. Upgrading your senior dog to a sturdier orthopedic bed or crate pad can alleviate pressure on their joints without making it a task to get up in the morning.
Look for thick, solid polyurethane or memory foam, and avoid softer fillers like egg-crate foam or polyfill. Memory foam is considered the holy-grail for senior dogs because it fits their body, offering dense support and weight distribution without pressing on their joints. For some, toddler-size crib mattresses can be an equally supportive and affordable option.
You can also spruce up their resting spots by putting them in sunny areas and adding comfortable features like:
- Heating or cooling pads
- Plush covers
- Bolsters or pillows
Keep in mind that senior dogs are prone to accidents; using an impermeable layer and machine washable covers may be in your best interest.
3. Use Raised Feeder and Consider Dietary Changes
Even smaller dogs can benefit from raised feeders as they get older. Because they aren’t stretching their spine to reach all the way to the floor, raised feeders can alleviate pressure on those bones as well as the surrounding muscles.
This is particularly useful for senior dogs who already have a history of orthopedic issues, like arthritis, but may not be the best option for every dog. Some inconclusive evidence connects elevated feeders to increased occurrence of bloat, so breeds predisposed to the condition should avoid them.
Regardless of how high their bowl sits, make sure your senior dog is eating enough to meet their nutritional needs. Senior dogs can eat all-life-stages food, but they may benefit from higher protein diets (at least 25 percent of calories come from protein) to counteract the loss of muscle tissue as they age. You may need to adjust their portion size to meet their slowing metabolic rate or dropping appetite.
4. Offer More Frequent Bathroom Breaks
Senior dogs often regress in their housetraining, either as they lose bladder control, get lost in the home, or suffer from medical issues that cause incontinence. Giving them more opportunities to use the restroom and communicate their needs can help out.
If their mental state is still in top form, you can teach them to use a doorbell to let you know when they need to go out or install a doggy door. You may also create a safe space for them to use the restroom in the house.
Whatever you do, make sure you’re calm and understanding if they do have an accident. In some cases, you may need to return to your puppy potty training schedule from years ago.
5. Make Sure Walking Paths are Easy to Navigate
Your senior dog may not be able to recover from tripping as well as they once did, and those losing their eyesight are at an even bigger disadvantage. Keeping things off the floor as much as possible makes it easier for them to stay on their feet.
Dogs losing their eyesight also benefit from tactile reminders or paths. Consider setting up rug runners that lead them to their food bowl, bed, and other places they frequent.
Eye conditions common in older dogs, like nuclear sclerosis and cataracts, get worse in low light conditions. Keeping areas bright and plugging in nightlights can alleviate some stress your senior dog has when trying to move around.
6. Use More Visual Cues
Loss of hearing is another hurdle for senior dogs to overcome, but it can be done with a bit of understanding and attention. They may not be completely deaf, but hard of hearing dogs can benefit from plenty of the tips for deaf dogs.
Teach visual cues as early as possible, ideally before your dog starts to lose their hearing. This will allow you to communicate and beckon certain behaviors, even if your pet cannot hear commands.
Try not to startle your hard of hearing dog. Approach them slowly and gently or use a familiar scent (e.g. putting your hand in front of their nose) to let them know you’re there. Vibrations, like stomping on the floor or clapping, can also get their attention.
When you let them out at night, use a flashlight to call them back into the home. Consider adding a tag on their collar or leash to let others know they are hard of hearing, so they act with more respect.
