Dogs use their nails like soccer cleats on turf – they are meant to dig in. When a dog encounters a slippery surface and starts to slide, they react by flexing their toes to dig into the surface.
This works well on dirt or grass but is counterproductive on hard floors. This is especially challenging for dogs with neurological changes (i.e. due to vestibular episodes, IVDD, degenerative myelopathy or GOLPP), dogs with hind end weakness or injury as they have more difficulty keeping themselves upright.
How Can I Keep my Dog From Slipping?
There are two ways to keep your dog from slipping: 1. Make the surface the dog is on non-slip or 2. Add something to the dog that will keep them from slipping.
Examples of non-slip surfaces:
- runners and carpets
- Foam floor tiles (**recommend caution as some brands of foam tiles can be slippery)
- Yoga mats
Examples of equipment for your dog
- Boots or socks with gripped soles
- ToeGrips
- Paw pad adhesives (**I do not recommend these as dogs sweat through their paws and it’s not clear to me if these products are breathable!)
Do I need to cover my whole house with carpet?
Not necessarily. You can be strategic about it. The areas that are most important to give your dog traction in are high traffic areas, turns and in front of the food and water bowls. And don’t forget the stairs! Have wooden stairs? We have recommended this product to our clients with great success!
What Makes ToeGrips Unique?
ToeGrips solve the problem of the dog that finds the one island in a sea of mats to lie down on the cold floor! They go with the dog everywhere!
ToeGrips are applied to a dog’s nail where they have no sensation and this means they help a dog walk without changing the way they naturally gait and this has been proven in research! They allow a dog to grip slippery floor like they do grass and helps them access areas in the home that they might have been avoiding or were struggling to traverse.
Here are my top 5 reasons I love ToeGrips and recommend them to my clients:
- They go everywhere! Kitchen, upstairs, outside
- Don’t have to put mats down everywhere which can become a tripping hazard for other members of the family (I was a PT for senior humans first!)
- They allow a dog more freedom in a house
- Dog’s can become more fit wearing them because they stay mobile!
- They help prevent injuries and prevent aggravation of sore joints
The Potential Problem with Socks and Boots
Socks and boots CAN work but they come with a potential problems. Socks with grips tend to twist on the paw leave the side without the grips on the floor and only exacerbating the problem! Not to say socks won’t work but it’s something to be mindful of. The same problem can occur with boots, or they often just fall off.
The other thing to keep in mind with socks and boots is the place a barrier between the floor and the toe pads. The toe pads are important as they help your dog communicate with the ground and navigate their environment. Essentially, they give your dog’s brain information about their balance. If your dog is struggling with their balance, boots and socks can make it worse. Food for thought if you can’t figure out why your dog is struggling when their socks seems to fit okay.
Want more tips to help care for your aging dog? Grab our FREE Senior Dog Tips Guide by clicking the image below!
