How to stop an older dog slipping on floors
Start with short nails, so the paw pads can grip, and rugs with a gripping back where your dog walks and gets up. If that isn't enough, add toe grips, grip socks or rubber-soled boots. If slipping is new or the back legs seem weak, tell your vet.
Hardwood, tile and laminate are hard for an older dog to grip. A slip can make a dog nervous about walking across a room. Most of the fixes are cheap and easy to try, and you can mix several of them.
Start with the free fixes
Keep nails short. Long nails hit the floor first and keep the paw pads from gripping. The Dog Aging Project suggests small trims every 1 to 2 weeks for overgrown nails, just the tip, for a few months. After that, a routine trim every 3 to 4 weeks. If trimming is hard, ask your vet for help.
Limit the slippery rooms. Close doors or use gates so your dog spends most of their time on carpet or rugs. Where they do cross a slick floor, discourage running, jumping and rough play.
Rugs and runners
Put rugs or mats with a gripping back where your dog sleeps, gets up and walks most often: beside their bed, along hallways and at the bottom of steps. Watch for a few days to be sure the rug doesn't bunch up or slide. A rug that slides is worse than none.
Grips, socks and boots
| What it is | Worth knowing | |
|---|---|---|
| Toe grips | Rubber rings that slip over the nails | Stay on for weeks. Not ideal for a dog who chews at their feet. |
| Grip socks | Socks with rubber dots on the bottom | Easy on and off. Can twist so the grip ends up on top. |
| Boots | Rubber-soled boots | The most grip, but some dogs take time to get used to them. |
| Paw wax | A balm rubbed onto the pads | No fitting needed. Needs reapplying. |
Size matters for all of these, and many are sized by paw width, not by dog weight. Our traction list shows each product's size range and pack count side by side.
When slipping is more than the floor
If your dog has started slipping where they used to walk fine, or their back legs seem weak, tell your vet. Floors make weakness easier to see, but they don't cause it. For a dog who needs help getting up, a lift harness lets you take some of their weight.
Sources
- Dog Aging Project: mobility tips and tricks for senior dogs (Kellyn McNulty, DVM; nail trims, rugs, limiting slippery areas, toe grips, boots)
- Tufts Your Dog: harnesses for dogs with mobility issues (lift harnesses)
Questions people ask
Why is my old dog slipping on the floor?
Long nails, slick floors and weaker muscles all play a part. Floors make weakness easier to see but don't cause it, so if slipping is new, tell your vet.
Do toe grips work for dogs?
They add grip by putting rubber on the nail tips, and they can stay on for weeks. They aren't ideal for dogs who chew at their feet. Size them by paw or nail size, not just weight.
How often should I trim an older dog's nails?
The Dog Aging Project suggests a routine trim every 3 to 4 weeks. For overgrown nails, small trims of just the tip every 1 to 2 weeks for a few months. Ask your vet if trimming is hard.