This is the official kick-off of my blog for animal guardians and their animal companions! I will be covering topics that include both small and large animals. I look forward to sharing valuable information and fun animal “day in the life” stories. This week we’ll be talking about Seniors and slippery floors/surfaces. While I will be referencing mostly indoor home locations, the same ideas will apply for animals that are living outdoors or are trailer loaded and unloaded (equine, cattle, pigs, goats, alpacas, etc.). As animals get older, footing can become a more challenging proposition, particularly if they are experiencing pain, arthritis, limited mobility, and/or have a decrease or loss of eyesight, making navigation more challenging for that alone.
Frequently, hardwood, laminate, tiles, linoleum, and polished cement in our indoor living environments can be slippery for our pets (remember that cute time when fur baby skittered across the floor chasing their favorite toy?), and if they have pain or mobility issues slipping can be hazardous for them, even causing injury or an exacerbation of their current painful condition.
A few well placed anti-slip and/or traction “devices” for your pet can help them to more comfortably navigate around their home environment and stay safe.
Area rugs with anti-slip mat under them
Area rugs with an anti-slip underside or an anti-slip mat under them not only look lovely, but also give your pet a safe passage down hallways, into entryways, and any other areas of the house that they find themselves in. An added bonus is that they can be soft and cozy for your animal to sit and lay on.
Rubberized Floor mats
These might be less for indoor areas because of their looks, unless you find some you don’t mind having in the house. These can be a good option for outdoor areas or to place over icy spots.
Anti-slip dog booties or socks
Not unlike human booties and socks with the anti-slip grips on the underside, you can also find these same items for your pets! In particular ones for dogs. Check your favorite pet store or online for a vast array that are available and choose one that you think will be best for your pet.
Dog booties can also help dogs when they walk outdoors on the ice or snow. Dog mushers use some version of these to help with ice traction and prevention of snowballs building up in the paws of your fur baby, as well as prevent frostnip and frostbite.
Anti-slip paw stickers and paw wax
Yep, these are a thing. Paw wax is often used to protect paws from ice, snow and heat (think hot pavement), but it can also be useful for extra grip and preventing slipping. Both the wax and stickers are a temporary solution with the need for reapplication a consideration…though if you know you’ll be in a building, such as the vet office where floors are often smooth and shiny, these could be a great option for the occasion.
Anti-slip paw spray
Just as with the paw stickers and wax, this is a temporary solution, but one other option, especially for trips to the vet or visiting family and friends who have slippery floors. Sprays are said to last about a day.
Dog gate
If there are certain areas with slippery floors that you’d prefer your pet not get access to for their protection and safety, a dog gate, or even a child gate, can help prevent him or her from entering these areas and hurting themselves.
Anti-slip for ramps into and out of a trailer, vehicle, or other area
For metal surfaces such as when loading or unloading equine, cattle, pigs, or other animals on or off a trailer, the metal ramp can be slippery under their hard hooves. In these instances it can be helpful to install a ramp that has a non-slip surface over the metal ramp plating. For dog and cat ramps into and out of a vehicle, a bed, stairs, etc. having a anti-slip surface covering the ramp can greatly help your pet get traction and prevent falling when going up and down, as will making sure the steepness of the ramp isn’t too great, causing a reluctance or fear to occur in your animal because of it being too steep to pick up their feet or feel like they are falling down the ramp.
Outdoor areas
For animals outdoors, ice can become an issue during the winter time. Throwing straw, gravel, sand, or other material over the ice that can lend some traction can be helpful. Ideally, for senior outdoor animals, keeping them indoors (barn) where it is warmer and they don’t have to contend with uncertain surfaces is the best case scenario for them.
I hope this proves helpful for making your home a safer and more secure travel space for your pet and/or other animals in your care. While this article isn’t exhaustive by any means, please feel free to reach out to me or your veterinarian for additional options that may not be covered here.
Please reach feel free to reach out to me at: Contact Me or 503.858.3292
Dani Norlund, LAMP, SAAP 