Here are some helpful products that can help your mobility challenged pet be safer on slippery surfaces such as ice and snow-covered stairs:
- Traction booties- found in pet stores or on Amazon
- Harnesses and slings
- Folded bath towels- looped just in front of their hind legs
- Reusable grocery bag- with sides cut out (keeping the handles) under their belly
- Padded sling with leash- from gingerlead.com or www.chewy.com
- Help ‘Em Up Harness- helpemup.com or 720-237-6852
- Toe nail caps
- Buzby’s ToeGrips- www.toegrips.com or 843-694-4468
- Soft Claws Nail Caps for Dogs- chewy.com
- Paw Pads Self Adhesive Traction Pads- inthecompanyofdogs.com
Tips for Senior Pet Mobility this Winter
Snow Walks
Try to let your pet walk on a couple inches of snow versus the slick sidewalk. This also helps them from the exposure of ice melting chemicals. Watch where you are going to avoid icier areas. Remember to wipe off their feet when you are done with your walk to remove any melting chemicals that can cause burns or are toxic when licked.
Trim Nails and Check Between Toes
Make sure the hair between their toes isn’t so long it accumulates ice balls which are painful and result in poor traction. Completely clipping out the hair may result in a loss of insulation to the cold. Find that happy medium with your dog’s individual tolerance to the cold and its hair coat. Also, Feet with regularly trimmed nails have better traction than overly long nails.
Take Time to Enjoy the Walk with Your Best Friend
Don’t rush the walk because you haven’t dressed properly. Dress warm so your pet can take their time navigating the terrain and for their comfort level. You may just want to keep distances a little shorter to accommodate for time spent outside if they are going to walk slower.
Support Your Companion
If it looks like your pooch may slip, don’t tug on the leash to try to correct their balance. Instead, gently move your leg towards them and they may be able to use it to brace against. Helpful hint: Try not to fall on your dog in the process.
Add Some Adventure
Many older dogs just love being outside and need it for their mental health. Even if conditions aren’t great for a walk around the neighborhood, or your pet now struggles getting around the block, accompanying them out on the porch or taking a brief walk down your driveway can be enough to enrich and add adventure to their day.
We hope that you can enjoy a happy and safe winter walking with your senior pets. We live in a bautiful state, and your grey muzzled furry friends will thank you for making the effort to get outside.
Written by: Dr. Megan Coveyou, Caring Pathways Veterinarian
Dr. Megan grew up in Wisconsin where she earned her DVM at University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007. She spent many years in the Chicago area practicing sport horse medicine. Megan moved to Colorado in 2015 and found her calling with Caring Pathways. She is in love with the sacred bond we form with our furry soulmates and cherishes their lives from the exciting hello to the bitter-sweet goodbye. Click here to read Dr. Megan’s full bio.
