Are slippery floors bad for dogs? A Comprehensive Guide

Dogs need to “get a grip”

The first thing we should consider is how a dog walks, and why it’s so hard for him to walk normally – and feel confident about doing so– on a hard, smooth surface. “Dogs use their toenails for traction,” says veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby, the founder of Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips. “They will engage their paws, flex their toes, and dig their nails into the earth like soccer cleats. But hard nails can’t get a grip on hard floors.”

Tips to reduce the risks:

Use anti slip rugs and runners strategically placed, when coming in through door ways at the bottom of the stairs and to break large surfaces up.

Make sure there beds are anti slip too as getting on them can cause strains if they move, you can get anti slip tape to put on the bottom of them rather than buying new beds.

Ensure bowls, snuffle mats etc are anti slip or on an anti slip surface like a silicone tray.

Use paw wax this can help some dogs gain traction when walking across the surface.

Have paw hair trimmed professionally, paw fur can make it very difficult to get any grip at all whilst walking.

Do not play on slippery surfaces, play only on carpeted areas or in the garden.

Keep the surface dry and thoroughly wipe dogs feet when it’s been wet.

Do not ask them to sit on an unstable surfaces.

You can get pet safe anti slip surface sprays this coats the flooring so there is more grip.

If you can afford it for the long term replacing flooring with an anti slip surface would be ideal.

Give your pup’s feet a trim for better grip

A quick haircut could be all that is needed for improved traction on hard floors.

You see, your dog has hairy feet. Not just on top, but underneath too. If you lift your dog’s paw, you’ll see fur between his paw pads. As this hair grows longer, it can cover the paw pads.

When your pup takes a step, he is stepping on this long fur, causing him to slip and tumble. It’s like trying to run in a pair of furry slippers. Not recommended by the way.

That long paw pad hair has to go. It’s time to groom your dog’s furry feet.

A shaver will deal with the long hair that falls over the top of the toenails. But to trim the fur that grows between the paw pads, many owners find it more precise to use a pair of pet grooming scissors…

Don’t feel comfortable trimming your dog’s foot hair? Reach out to your local dog groomer – they will have your pup groomed in no time!

With your pup’s long hair gone, there is nothing to come between his paw pads and the floor.

How To Stop Your Dog From Slipping On Floors? Know Top 10 Easy Tricks

It’s always cute when you see videos of the puppies on hardwood floors trying to gain traction. But in reality, it may make you worried as the hardwood seems a bit hard on them (your puppies).

Therefore, hardwood surfaces are smooth and slippery, which may bring this question to your mind: Are hardwood floors bad for dogs?

To get the answer to the question, stay in tune with us till the end. We hope we will get you covered with some needful feedback.