Dog Paws Slipping On Floor? 3 Reasons & 3 Remedies

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Nobody wants to spend every other weekend going to the vet. However, your dog’s slipping on the floor leads to exactly that! Falling on the floor may result in an easily avoidable injury. To prevent them, understand them! Below are 3 reasons why your dog’s paws may be slipping + remedies for the problem! Don’t let your dog feel like on rollerblades!
The paws of the small dog are slipping on the wooden floor.

Reasons

1. Dry paws

In the previous article, we’ve discussed why may your dog experience a dry nose (especially when older). However, dry paws may be as dangerous, and one of its drawbacks is an increased chance of slipping. Dry feet lack the moisture needed for effectively gripping the surface.

You can compare dry and moist paws to humans walking in socks or barefoot. Walking barefoot, naturally, provides a better grip in comparison to socks. Moistured paws are also more flexible, easily sticking to the floor and providing secure contact with the surface.
 

2. Long nails and fur

Have you seen people with extremely long nails trying to touch a screen or a button? This is, essentially, a description of your dog trying to stick to the surface. Overgrown nails inhibit him from getting good contact with the floor, and therefore standing steadily. The same goes for overgrown fur around the feet. It acts as an obstacle between your dog’s paws and the floor, causing him to slip!
 

3. Weight

Physically unfit dogs may have problems with mobility. Hard times with standing or walking result in more slipping. Moreover, a dog with an unhealthy weight suffers from more severe injuries in case of a fall. Senior and overweight dogs are especially at risk. To prevent potential slipping, keep their diet healthy and ensure they get regular exercise.

To combat the problem of slippery paws, you have many options to choose from. You may either remove the cause of the problem or provide your dog with proper products.
 

Remedies

a. Balm

As mentioned in the previous post, the balm can provide additional moisturizer to your dog’s dry parts of the body. Hence, if your dog experiences dry paws, causing him to slip more often, you may consider putting on some balm. The difference will be noticed almost immediately. Not only will you help your dog with slipping on the floor, but you will also help him tackle irritated and cracked paws.

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b. Clipping and trimming

As both overgrown nails and fur cause your dog to slip, you may help your dog gain more traction by simply clipping or trimming it. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, don’t hesitate and reach out to your local dog groomer, he will be more than happy to help. Moreover, proper grooming is an essential part of good hygiene and protects from growing bacteria.
 

c. Non-slip products

Lastly, many products are reducing the likelihood of your dog slipping on the floor. If there is a particular place at which your dog often falls, you may consider buying a non-slip mat or a rug. This is especially useful in rooms covered with hardwood floor!

In case you want to protect your dog from slipping wherever he is, purchase dog boots/shoes instead. They come with a rubber sole, helping with grip and traction. However, choose flexible boots to not get your dog the feeling of having a plaster cast. Some producers even offer non-slip socks for dogs! Finally, do not forget to consult your vet before purchasing one, as they may pose a problem for some dogs!
 

The socks are sometimes the only option in case of the dog slip hard and now is scared to step barefoot on the wooden floor.

 

However, if you’re not happy with these two options, you can always choose to use an anti-slip spray. A foot spray is almost unnoticeable when applied and doesn’t leave a sticky feeling. It has to be reapplied regularly, though! A very similar option is a paw wax designed to protect against hot pavements or snow. However, it also provides extra traction and thus acts as an anti-slippery product.