Dog Proofing Your Home for Your Senior Pet

• Put safety locks on all cupboards and drawers, including under the sinks, etc. so that your senior dog can’t pull them open
• Put toilet lid locks on all toilets so that the lid won’t fall on the head of a curious pet
• Cover any electrical cords and add safety caps to outlets that aren’t being used
• Move laundry detergents and other cleansers to high, locked shelves
• Put non-slip pads under all rugs and carpets
• If you have hardwood or tile floors, consider area rugs to minimize slipping on smooth surfaces
• Put carpet runners on stairs to minimize slipping of unsteady paws. Make sure the runners are fastened down with sticky tape so they won’t move when walked on.
• Get rid of all poisonous plants and keep any remaining plants out or reach.
• Open up high traffic areas in the house by pushing some furniture back to the walls. It can be difficult to maneuver around too much furniture if there isn’t an easy, wide path for walking.
• It’s important to keep anything your senior dog might trip over off of the floor. If your family removes their shoes when they come home, put shoes on a shoe rack just inside the door so that they won’t become stumbling blocks for your pet. Be sure you have catch-alls for magazines, etc. so that they don’t end up on the floor.
• If your senior pet can still get up on the couch or bed, make sure end tables don’t have temptations like bowls of candy that he can reach. Trash cans are another temptation, so make sure all trash cans are covered have a locking top; you don’t want your senior dog to drag stuff out of the garbage.
• If your pet can’t easily get up on the furniture, consider investing in a set of specially designed pet stairs or ramps that will make it easier for him to get up and down without having to jump.
• If you want to keep your senior pet corralled in one area of the house, be sure you choose the right pet gate or baby gate. An expandable, spring-loaded style will work on flat floors, but if you have one at the top of the stairs, make sure it’s one that is permanently fastened to the wall so that pressure won’t cause it to collapse or fall.
• Make sure there aren’t any window blind cords that your dog could potentially get tangled in, whether by playing with it or simply not seeing it. Cut all looped cords so a paw or neck can’t get caught.

Dog proofing your house means watching out for potential hazards and removing them before they become a problem. Take the time to walk through your entire house, observing from your pet’s vantage point to make sure you haven’t missed anything. And of course, shower your senior dog and cat with plenty of love!