Our dog Ace was with us for 17 years, and in his last year his eyes gave him trouble along with everything else.

When a dog gets older, the home they’ve known all their life can start to feel different under their paws. Most of what helps is simple, and you can do it one corner at a time.

Start with the floors

Hardwood and tile can be hard on an older dog. Dogs rely on their nails for grip, and nails don’t grip a smooth floor, so a dog with weak or sore legs has a harder time catching themselves when they slip. Veterinary guidelines for senior pets suggest covering slippery floors with secure rugs or mats for better footing.

A runner down the hallway, a rug by the food and water bowls, and a yoga mat where your dog likes to get up all help. Look for rugs with a non-slip backing, so they stay put when your dog steps on them.

Help with the climb

If your dog still loves the couch or your bed, ramps or pet steps let them get there without jumping. Cornell’s advice for dogs with arthritis includes non-slip rugs and ramps for getting onto beds and couches or into the car.

Stairs are worth a second look too. For dogs whose eyesight or memory is changing, veterinarians suggest a safety gate across the stairs.

A bed that’s easy to get into

A good bed for an older dog is soft and well padded. A low bed they can step into, rather than climb into, makes it easier still. Put it somewhere they can reach without jumping, in a warm spot where they can still see the family.

Light the way at night

With some eye conditions, such as progressive retinal atrophy, night vision goes first, and extra lighting in the house can help. For older dogs who wander or seem confused at night, Cornell suggests night lights so they can see clearly and are less likely to get stuck.

It also helps to leave the furniture where it is. A dog with poor eyesight learns the layout of your home by heart, and moving things around takes that map away.

A word about raised bowls

You’ll often see raised food bowls suggested for older dogs, and senior care guidelines do list raised bowls among home changes for dogs who have trouble moving. But raised food bowls have also been linked to a higher risk of bloat in large and giant breed dogs. Bloat is a life-threatening emergency, and Cornell, Purdue and the Merck Veterinary Manual all suggest avoiding raised food bowls for dogs at risk.

So ask your veterinarian before you switch, especially if your dog is a large, deep-chested breed.

Keep the days predictable

Most senior dogs do best with a steady routine, with meals and walks at about the same time each day. For dogs with memory changes, a predictable day lowers stress.

Keep an eye out for changes in how your dog acts: getting lost in familiar places, pacing at night, accidents in the house, or less interest in the family. These can be signs of changes in the aging brain. They can also come from pain or other medical problems, so write down what you see and share it with your veterinarian.

Shorter walks, more often

Older joints still need to move. Gentle, low-impact exercise like leash walks helps dogs with arthritis, and several shorter walks are better than one long one. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight takes pressure off sore joints too.

Check in with your veterinarian more often

Senior dogs benefit from more frequent checkups. Many veterinarians recommend a wellness visit every six months for senior pets, so changes are caught early.

One corner at a time

None of this has to happen in a weekend. Start with the place your dog slips, or the spot they can’t reach anymore. Watch how they move for a few days, and let them show you what helps.

Every small change tells them they still belong in every room of the house.

If your dog seems to be hurting, How to Tell If Your Dog or Cat Is in Pain walks through the quieter signs.

This article shares general information from veterinary sources. It isn’t a substitute for advice from your own veterinarian, who knows your dog.

Sources

We’re arranging a veterinary review of this article. Until it’s done, here are the sources behind it.

• American Animal Hospital Association: 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats

• American Animal Hospital Association: Canine Life Stage Health Checklist, Senior (2019)

• American Animal Hospital Association: 15 Signs of Pain in Dogs

• Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: Osteoarthritis

• Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: Senior dog dementia

• Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: Progressive retinal atrophy

• Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) or bloat

• Colorado State University Veterinary Health System: Caring for your blind dog

• Colorado State University Veterinary Health System: Arthritis management and prevention

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Behavior Problems of Dogs

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Gastric Dilation and Volvulus in Small Animals

• Purdue University Veterinary Hospital: Pet Health Tips: Dogs

• Purdue Veterinary Medicine: Pet Wellness, An Overview of Keeping Your Pet Healthy

• Glickman LT et al. Non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in large and giant breed dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2000