Depending on how your senior changes, you may need to change some things as well.
Clear the Clutter
Now is the time to get organized. Too many things in your senior dog's way can become obstacles, so make sure your dog has enough room to move around without bumping into or tripping over anything.
Does your dog have a lot of toys? If you haven't already, put them in an easily accessible basket or bin.
Clear the Clutter
Now is the time to get organized. Too many things in your senior dog's way can become obstacles, so make sure your dog has enough room to move around without bumping into or tripping over anything.
Does your dog have a lot of toys? If you haven't already, put them in an easily accessible basket or bin.
Install Gates
To keep your dog off the stairs or in one area of your home, put up baby gates. Make sure the spacing between the bars is not too wide for them to wiggle through.
To keep your dog off the stairs or in one area of your home, put up baby gates. Make sure the spacing between the bars is not too wide for them to wiggle through.
Set Up Ramps
If you let your senior dog on the furniture, have stairs, or want an easier way of getting your larger dog in and out of the car, consider using ramps.
There are many different types of ramps available online and in pet stores, but you can also make your own.
If you let your senior dog on the furniture, have stairs, or want an easier way of getting your larger dog in and out of the car, consider using ramps.
There are many different types of ramps available online and in pet stores, but you can also make your own.
How to Build a Dog Ramp
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Materials:
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1. Take measurements. Decide if you want to build a free-standing ramp or a ramp that you will lay against something, like stairs. A free standing ramp will need extra wood underneath it to prop it up.
Write down how long and wide you want your ramp to be. 2. Gather materials. Pick up wood that is sturdy enough to support your dog’s weight and wide enough for them to walk and turn around easily. 3. Cut and sand wood. If you don’t have a saw at home, ask the store where you are buying your wood if they could cut it for you. Sand the wood down to prevent splinters. 4. Build ramp. Use nails or screws to attach all of your pieces of wood as necessary. Use short nails or screws so that they don’t stick out. Create sides for your ramp so that your dog doesn’t fall or try to jump off. Glue/screw in thin carpet scraps, carpet tiles, or floor mats to the top of the ramp for traction. Your ramp is complete! Guide your dog up and down the ramp and reward them with kibble. Keep practicing to help them get more comfortable. |
Lay Out an Extra Bed
If you don't let your senior on the furniture or if you just want an extra spot for your senior to relax, set up an extra dog bed. If you have more than one floor in your home, set up one bed upstairs and one downstairs.
Most pet stores and other stores such as Marshalls and CVS now have inexpensive orthopedic dog beds that offer comfortable joint support. Some dog beds are also water resistant and come in handy in case your dog has an accident. If your dog's bed is not water resistant, line it with training pads and place a blanket over it that you can later wash as needed.
If you don't let your senior on the furniture or if you just want an extra spot for your senior to relax, set up an extra dog bed. If you have more than one floor in your home, set up one bed upstairs and one downstairs.
Most pet stores and other stores such as Marshalls and CVS now have inexpensive orthopedic dog beds that offer comfortable joint support. Some dog beds are also water resistant and come in handy in case your dog has an accident. If your dog's bed is not water resistant, line it with training pads and place a blanket over it that you can later wash as needed.
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Put Down a Rug or Mat
Hard surfaces can be slippery for your senior dog. Put down some rugs to help with traction.
Get Training Pads
Your senior dog will have accidents inside the house. If this happens frequently, put down training pads where necessary. Never scold your dog for having an accident; just clean it up right away and move along.
Control the Temperature
Senior dogs are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Keep extra blankets around when it's cold and turn a fan or air conditioner on when it's hot. There are also heating and cooling pads available for dogs, as well as apparel such as sweaters and jackets. Always have water readily available.
Hard surfaces can be slippery for your senior dog. Put down some rugs to help with traction.
Get Training Pads
Your senior dog will have accidents inside the house. If this happens frequently, put down training pads where necessary. Never scold your dog for having an accident; just clean it up right away and move along.
Control the Temperature
Senior dogs are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Keep extra blankets around when it's cold and turn a fan or air conditioner on when it's hot. There are also heating and cooling pads available for dogs, as well as apparel such as sweaters and jackets. Always have water readily available.
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Travel Safely
Make sure your dog is secure when travelling. Use a crate, harness, or booster seat (for the smaller seniors) for safe travels.
Make sure your dog is secure when travelling. Use a crate, harness, or booster seat (for the smaller seniors) for safe travels.
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