How to Help an Old Dog Down Stairs

Stairs can become difficult or even dangerous for senior dogs to navigate, prompting pet owners to look for ways to help their dogs move up and down stairs safely. Many of these strategies can help older dogs navigate slippery surfaces and furniture-to-floor transitions as well as help them descend and climb stairs.

1. Move The Dog's Belongings to the Ground Floor

If it's not absolutely necessary for an elderly dog to move between floors, consider moving your dog's food and water bowls and bed to the ground floor so that he doesn't need to navigate stairs. Removing any need for going down or climbing stairs not only keeps your dog safer but reduces the strain on his hips, shoulders, and back legs.

2. Cover Slippery Stairs with Carpet

If your dog still wants to go up and down the stairs, simply covering the stairs with carpet makes it easier for her to grip the stairs with its toenails and provides a softer landing surface in the case of a fall. Carpet runners can also be applied to slippery hardwood, tile, and laminate floors in the hallway or common areas of the home to make it safer for your senior dog to move around.

3. Apply a Non-Slip Surface to the Stairs and Your Dog's Paws

If carpet is out of your price range, consider stick-on anti-slip stair treads to help your older dog go down the stairs. Alternatively (or at the same time), you can get non-slip socks or toe-nail grips for your dog to increase traction and reduce the risk of slipping.

4. Install a Non-Slip Ramp

For short flights of stairs, you can create a non-slip surface quickly and easily by covering the stairs with a non-slip wheelchair ramp like the ones we stock at our Denver, Colorado showroom. Ramps for aging dogs should provide a gentle incline of 1:12 similar to those described in the ADA wheelchair ramp requirements. They should also be easy to fold up for storage when not in use.

5. Use a Lifting-Aid Harness

When taking your dog down the stairs, you can support him with a mobility sling or lifting harness that wraps around the dog's torso and helps to bear his weight. As long as you are holding on to the handle of the mobility harness/walking harness, your senior dog won't strain his shoulders or fall down the stairs.

6. Carry Your Dog

If you have a very small dog and good balance, you can simply carry her down the stairs. If you have balance or mobility issues yourself, you can get a stairlift to move up and down the stairs safely and carry your aging dog on your lap. For a larger dog, consider a vertical platform lift if there's no way to limit your dog's space to the ground floor.

7. Support Your Dog's Mobility with Supplements and Exercises for Joint Pain

Aside from modifying your dog's environment, it's also important to support your senior dog's mobility with gentle exercise, good nutrition, and supplements for joint pain. As dogs age, they can develop arthritis and joint stiffness just like aging humans, and a good supplementation and exercise program can help to slow this process down.

Your veterinarian can assess your older dog's condition and help you develop a personalized program, which may include:

• Slow walks

• Canine physiotherapy

• Hydrotherapy

• Acupuncture on specific pressure points

For dogs of any age with joint pain, medical professionals recommend supplementation with glucosamine, chondroitin, and green-lipped mussel. For the exact dosage and product recommendations, talk with your vet.

Mobility Issues Don’t Have to Reduce Your Elderly Dog’s Quality of Life

Once your senior dog can't get down the stairs by herself anymore, there are a lot of things you can do to provide extra support and help your dog stay mobile and active. 

Using a combination of non-slip surfaces, mobility aids, supplementation, and exercise, you and your older dog can look forward to quality time, adventures, and moderate play in the weeks and months ahead.