When dogs age, they go through a lot of physical changes. Some are no big deal, but others have profound effects on their lives.
In some senior dogs, signals from the brain no longer make it to the legs. Affected dogs can knuckle over when they walk, slip on bare floors and have trouble standing up and climbing stairs. Their legs often shake—and their confidence can be shaken, too.
If you’ve been told your pooch is affected, you probably know there’s no specific treatment. But there are ways you can help. Nonslip booties provide traction and protect knuckling paws from abrasions, while a harness can help you get a grip on your dog’s instability. Even the right bed can help a pooch with mobility problems. And if your dog can no longer go for walks, you can still take her out in a dog stroller and provide the stimulation she needs.