Believe it or not, senior dogs need just as much attention as puppies! Our dogs know we’re there to give them endless love and support through every stage of their life, and they’re more than happy to reciprocate. Likewise, we know to expect some changes in terms of our pet’s health as they get older.

Taking the time to pay more attention to their grooming, have extra socialization, and partake in playtime to keep their minds sharp are all beneficial to incorporate more frequently into their days. But regimens such as getting on the bed or couch, resting, and simply navigating around the house may not be as easy as it used to be for them. That doesn’t mean there isn’t anything we can do in their home environments to help our aging furry friends in need.

These home improvements do so much more for our furry companion; they can improve your senior dog’s quality of life and support the ability to increase their lifespan. What’s important is that you think about some changes that can make a big difference in your dog’s daily comfortability at home.

Protect and Limit Movement

Hazards

Consider how you can make your home’s interior more senior dog friendly. Are there many doors that stay open and need a door stopper to protect your dog from running into it? Do you have shoes or cords that need to be tucked away to avoid a trip hazard or even something to chew on? Take a walk around your house and get down at your dog’s level to see what obstacles like these could need adjusting, kind of like you’re baby proofing. If you notice any sharp edges, such as on a table, put bubble wrap around them. Things like this could easily harm a senior dog, especially if they’re having trouble with mobility.

Slippery Flooring

Dogs lose their agility as they age. If you have hard flooring, this could become a challenge for them. For flooring that can cause slipping, you can place down washable non-slip rugs, carpet runners, or even yoga mats to help them get better traction. Use baby gates to block off areas like the stairs. It’s possible your dog could become unsteady from vision problems or joint pain and you don’t want to take any risks.

Access to Food & Belongings

Keep your dog’s feeding station, toys, beds, and blankets, along with any other belongings nearby on the same floor level to save their energy. You can even consider adding another water and food bowl in another part of the house that your dog goes to often.

Another important way to assist with accessibility is to elevate their food dishes. Sometimes senior dogs can have trouble bending over, and this helps prevent hunching.

Help Ensure Quality Sleep

You may find your dog napping more often than playing as they get older. As they develop more fatigue, this also means they could find it harder to deal with loud noises and lots of traffic with other people and/or animals in the house.

Sleep plays an important role in an elderly dog’s life, so it’s essential to allow them a quiet and safe environment that’s always available for them to retreat to. You could place a dog bed in a separate room, a closet with the door partially shut, or a crate with a cover over the top to help them feel more sheltered. If you’ve never used a crate before, this might become a new comforting area for them.

Orthopedic dog beds are perfect for ensuring better sleep for dogs who need extra comfort. The memory foam molds and contours to the body, giving them extra support where they most need it. This is particularly beneficial in their hips and legs to alleviate common joint pain.

Some extra ways to help them get improved sleep include:

• Calming Music: This helps to mask strange noises that could make them anxious — play some soothing music or use a noise machine for some nature-themed sound effects.

• Warming Sleep Aid: A heated dog toy or even a water bottle can provide some extra comfort and help them fall asleep more quickly. Older dogs get colder easily as their coat thins out with time, so consider making the house temperature warmer as well.

• Gentle Nightlight: Adding a nightlight to the space can help them feel more secure, especially if their vision is weakening and they need ways to better navigate.

Boost Indoor Comfort

Accommodating your senior dog’s lifestyle can require adjustments in your home that can be costly. Exploring your financial options to ensure these additions don't do too much damage to your existing budget can include taking advantage of equity in your home, which can take away a lot of the stress of restrictions. Fortunately, making some of these changes with this type of loan can not only increase the value of your home, but also help you stay financially stable if your dog needs veterinary care. Additionally, some pet insurance companies will offer lifetime dog insurance to help you save on bills.

Avoid Stairs

It’s best to prevent your senior dog from jumping and going up stairs altogether. As they get older, it becomes more common for them to suffer from stiffness. Invest in a ramp built for your stairs that provides a gentle incline. After training your dog on how to use the ramp, they will incorporate this into their overall routine. In addition to stairs in the house, they can use the ramp for getting in the car and on your bed too. Plus, it’s a great option for bigger dogs that are difficult to hold or carry.

You can even look into DIY-ing a stairlift for your dog that has inspired some pet owners to go the extra mile in helping their dogs get from upstairs to downstairs.

Dog-Proof Flooring

Accidents happen, but unfortunately, it becomes a common occurrence for elderly dogs. If your house is carpeted, you may know or have heard how hard it can be to fully remove pet stains and odors all the way through. It only takes one time for a carpet to get completely ruined, so incorporating easy-to-clean flooring may benefit your lifestyle more. Popular choices of flooring for pet owners include budget-friendly concrete floors, which are often underneath carpeting or vinyl flooring. Both are waterproof, tough against hard impacts and dog nails on the floor, and also trendy in home decor.

Doggy Door

Adding a doggy door to your backyard can be a quick fix if your dog has issues with incontinence. This means fewer accidents in your home to worry about cleaning up. If you are gone long hours of the day, your dog will be very thankful for this feature. Luckily, there are a variety of modern doggy doors to choose from to fit with the style of your home so it doesn’t stick out.

To best determine what your dog needs to continue living a comfortable life, look for signs of aging and always talk to your vet if you have any specific concerns. It’s never easy to see a beloved pet start struggling in their elderly years. However, even small improvements around the house will surely help them enjoy their day-to-day more, and you will be happier too. You might even inspire others to adopt a senior dog. After all, we don’t just see them as pets, but family members.