Ways To Prevent Your Dog From Falling Down
September 23, 2009
If you’ve ever seen your dog fall or found him lying in the floor, unable to get up, then you know what a frightening feeling it is. Many elderly dogs have weakness in their legs and they can be prone to falling. If they do fall they can be quite helpless. As the person who loves your dog, there are few things that make you feel worse than seeing your dog in that situation. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent falling down in your older injured dog.
Preventing Falls
If you are facing mobility problems with your senior dog and he is starting to have falls, make sure that he’s seen a vet. Assuming that you’ve already seen a vet and you know what the problems are, there are a number of ways you can provide support for your older dog to prevent falls.
If your dog is getting older and feeling a little frail then you may want to invest in a good set of booties for him. Good booties are expensive but they’re worth every penny. Get a pair with excellent traction soles. With good traction your old dog will have confidence when he walks again. That confidence and the traction can allow him to walk without falling down. Booties usually come four to a set. Some people only put booties on their dog’s rear paws but that’s up to you and your dog.
Root Cause of the Falls
If your dog has particular problems with one leg you may want to get him a leg splint. Splints are like a brace for the leg. They usually attach around the leg with velcro and provide support for the weak leg.
If your dog is falling because of rear leg weakness then you may want to consider a dog cart or a wheelchair for him. Elderly and disabled dogs can be very mobile in these wheels and they can come and go as they please once they are settled into them. Your dog doesn’t have to be missing a leg to use a dog cart or a wheelchair. Having weakness in his limbs is enough to use them and your dog will be mobile again. And, there won’t be any falls.
If you are walking your dog yourself then you could consider a rear harness for your dog or a belly sling. Both of these devices are good if you are with your dog but your dog is limited because he needs your help with them. But, they are still good because, with your assistance, they prevent falls.
Other Methods To Prevent Falling Or Stumbling
If your dog is falling because of general weakness or rear end weakness then you may wish to try some alternative therapies such as acupuncture or visiting a chiropractor. There is no guarantee that they will work for your dog but they have been successful in many cases in helping dogs regain some mobility.
Watching your dog fall is always difficult. Luckily there are some good ways to help your dog be more mobile. Whether you try booties, a wheelchair or cart, or some other method, you can help your dog be more mobile and prevent falls.
Summary
Falling down can be devastating for an older injured dog. There are some very good ways to prevent your older injured dog from falling such as booties, rear harnesses, slings, wheelchairs and dog carts.
Comments
Got something to say?