Why do dogs slip on the floor?
But first things first. Before we talk about HOW to fix the problem of slipping on the floor, we first need to discuss WHY dogs slip on hard floors.
Have you ever painstakingly picked your way across an icy driveway? Or slipped and slid across a freshly-cleaned hardwood floor in your socks (accidently or on purpose)? If so, you may have an idea of what a dog experiences when he or she walks on a smooth surface like wood or tile floors.
To keep from slipping, dogs attempt to use their toenails for traction. They flex their toes and dig the nails into the ground, just like soccer cleats. This works great on surfaces like grass, dirt, or carpet that have a bit of give to them. However, on hard smooth surfaces, dogs can’t dig their toenails into anything. Therefore, the dog has less traction and is more likely to slip.
Additionally, dogs who have an abnormal gait or weaker muscles are at increased risk for falling on slippery surfaces like tile, laminate, and hardwood floors. This is because dogs with these problems usually do not have the strength and muscle development to ensure that their feet and nails are making proper contact with the floor. Conditions that may make slipping more common for dogs include:
Fix those cracks (in your pup’s paws)
Your dog already has built-in traction control. I’m talking about his paw pads.
However, these paw pads can also be the cause for your dog’s legs sliding out from underneath him…
You know the tires on your car? As they wear down or get damaged, they don’t grip the road properly.
Well, your pups paw pads work in the same way. If they are dry, cracked or worn down, they can’t grip your floor.
A quick spot check will determine whether your dog’s paw pads are the cause.
One of the most popular ways to fix damaged paw pads is paw balm. Think of it as moisturizer designed for your pup’s paw pads.
Application couldn’t be more straightforward. Rub the paw balm over the paw pads, massaging it in with your fingers. If you have a dog who hates you touching his paws, a
It is worth mentioning that cracked paw pads can be caused by allergies, nutritional problems and other medical conditions. When in doubt, consult your vet.[1]
Non-slip Tread Mats
Similar to the non-slip tread for stairs, the non-slip tread mats can be another viable solution to help your dog remain stable on slippery floors. Placing mats in areas where your dog has trouble can give them extra traction they need it. These mats are often sold in sets, so you can place them all over your house.
See also: tips & tricks for choosing the best flooring for your pets
Paw wax is a quick, simple solution. Your dog’s paw pads can get rough and dry over time, which can reduce their natural gripping ability. All you have to do is apply the wax onto their paws occasionally to keep them conditioned and restore them to their former glory.
Paw wax is usually cost-effective, and you don’t need to use much at one time. It’s also easier for dogs who don’t like having socks or adhesive paw pads on their feet all day.
How To Stop Your Dog From Slipping On Floors? Know Top 10 Easy Tricks
Many older dogs, for a variety of reasons, have less control of their rear legs than when they were younger. This loss of control creates significant issues for their mobility, especially on slick floor surfaces. One of the most common reasons to have to make end-of-life decisions for medium to large breed dogs is the loss of mobility. Managing the floor surface for them can make a big difference in how well and how long your elderly dog can keep getting around on their own.
Slick surfaces make it far too easy for dogs that have nerve dysfunction of any sort to slip and fall while walking. Slick surfaces also make it difficult to impossible for those same dogs or those suffering from arthritis to get the traction they need to push up to stand from sitting or lying down.