Adapting Your Home for Senior Dogs and Cats: Creating a Comfortable Haven

As our beloved pets enter their golden years, their needs change, and protecting their comfort and safety at home becomes more important. By making a few thoughtful, and sometimes creative, modifications to your living space, you can significantly improve the quality of life for your senior dogs and cats. Here's a comprehensive guide to adapting your home for your aging furry companions.

1. Non-Slip Flooring

Senior pets often struggle with slippery surfaces, which can lead to falls and injuries. Consider adding non-slip mats or runners, especially on hardwood or tile floors. Inexpensive yoga mats work well here and are easy to rotate for cleaning. While assessing your slippery floors, don’t forget areas around food, water, beds, and litter boxes.  For larger areas, you might want to invest in low-pile area rug that provides traction without impeding mobility.

2. Easy Access to Necessities

Place food and water bowls in easily accessible locations near where they spend the majority of their time. Adding water stations to multiple rooms can help support hydration and ease possible stress about navigating steps or multiple rooms throughout the day. Elevating food and water bowls reduces strain on their joints and makes eating and drinking easier.

3. Comfortable Resting Areas

When choosing a bed, look for supportive beds that aren’t too pillowy. Making those required circles before laying down will be much easier on supportive beds for pets with mobility challenges, and orthopedic beds can offer relief for pets with joint pain. For cats, consider adding low-sided beds or padded window perches for comfortable lounging. Pet-safe heated beds are often a favorite as well!

4. Stair Assistance

Stairs can be challenging for senior pets. Install ramps or pet stairs to help them access elevated areas like beds or sofas. For multi-story homes, consider setting up food, water, and resting areas on multiple floors to minimize the need for climbing stairs.

5. Improved Lighting

As pets age, their vision may deteriorate. Ensure your home is well-lit, especially in areas where your pet frequently travels. Nightlights can help guide them during nighttime bathroom breaks or water visits.

6. Temperature Control

Many senior pets may have difficulty regulating their body temperature. Provide warm, draft-free sleeping areas in the winter and cool, shaded spots in the summer. Consider a pet-safe heating pad for extra warmth year-round and remember sweaters and coats for winter outings!

7. Litter Box Modifications

Missing, or not even using, the litter box is a common problem noted by caregivers of senior cats. While working with your veterinarian to rule out and address medical causes, there are some things you can do to make litter box usage easier. Consider using a larger litter box with lower sides for easy access, place litter boxes on each floor of your home to minimize the need for climbing stairs, and be sure to create a non-slip zone around the litter box to give your cat secure footing.

8. Safe Outdoor Spaces

If you have a yard, ensure it is secure and easy for your senior pet to navigate. Create shaded rest areas in warmer months and consider adding a ramp for easy access to outdoor spaces. Be mindful of holes that a pet with vision loss might step in and try not to move décor and plants. During colder months, ice and snow can easily cause slip and fall injuries, so shovel any areas your pet needs to navigate and use a pet-safe deicing product. Booties can provide traction and warmth as well, so give them a try. And as always, ensure fresh water is always available.

9. Quiet Retreat Areas

As pets age, they may become more sensitive to noises and activity that didn’t bother them before. Create quiet, cozy spaces where your pet can retreat when feeling overwhelmed or in need of a break, particularly if you have younger pets or children. Talk with family members about preserving these calm areas.

10. Safety Gates

Stairs can pose serious risks to pets who have hearing or vision loss, so use baby gates to block them off and think about other potentially dangerous areas of your home. Safe zones can also be created for your pet when you're not home using baby gates.

Every pet is unique, and their needs will likely change over time. By making these adaptations to your home, you can create a safe, comfortable haven where your senior dog or cat can enjoy their golden years to the fullest. Having someone else assess your home can be very helpful, so reach out today to schedule a Home Safety Assessment with us.