10 Must-Have Products for Senior Dogs
When you bring a new dog into your life, you’re committing to being there from the cute puppy stages right up to their wise senior years. However, older dogs have unique needs that we need to consider to keep them both happy and healthy. Today I’m going to share my 10 must-have products for senior dogs.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I will earn a commission if you purchase through my links, at no cost to you. For more info, Please read my full Disclosure.
If you’ve spent any time around the Shed Happens social media accounts, then you know that I share my life with 4 incredible pets.
While I would love to pretend that they are going to stay young forever, they are getting up in age.
In fact, my pretty girl Daviana is now 12 years old!
As the American Kennel Club explained last year in an article and chart, the 1 human year = 7 dog years isn’t entirely accurate.
The rate at which a dog ages (compared to human years) is dependent on their size.
Giant dogs (100+ lbs.) age the fastest while their smaller counterparts age at a slightly slower rate.
For the Dav girl, according to the chart, this means that she is currently 77 years old.
Before we move on, I will say that my girl was genetically blessed!
Not only does she not look her age, she doesn’t act it either. Most people guess she is between 2 and 4 years old when they meet her.
However, I’m starting to see some small signs of her age in our day to day lives…
These aren’t major complications or struggles. She’s still eating like normal, running around like a younger pup, and showing no signs of difficulty seeing or hearing.
It’s the little things like the fact she has a harder time getting traction on our hardwood floors.
As such, we’ve started to make some accommodations around the house to ensure that we’re giving her the best possible life.
We’re lucky – the pet industry is bigger than ever right now!
There are plenty of high-quality products out there to help us keep our pets safe, comfortable, and content, regardless of their situation.
However, with a wide assortment of products available at the click of a button, it can quickly become overwhelming.
Especially if this is your first time caring for an aging pup!
Don’t worry, I’m here to help!
Today I’m going to share a list of the products that have had a positive impact in our lives.
These are the products for senior dogs that we rely upon to care for our own dogs.
Check Out These 10 Must-Have Products for Senior Dogs!
#1 – Orthopedic Dog Bed
As your dog gets older, he/she may be feeling the aches and pains that come with age.
While we can’t stop this from happening, we can take steps to make our dog as comfortable as possible.
One easy way to do this is to purchase an orthopedic pet bed so that they can curl up and relax after a long day (whatever a long day looks like for your dog).
My girl is always ‘go, go, go‘ all day, but she genuinely loves her bed as we settle in for the evening.
#2 – Heated Pet Blanket
Another great way to help alleviate the aches and pains of a busy day is to provide your pup with a heated pet blanket.
It’s a well-known fact that heat can help ease sore muscles and joints.
#3 – Elevated Dog Feeder
As your dog gets older, it can be difficult to bend down to eat or drink from dishes on the floor.
This is especially true if you share your home (and your heart) with a larger dog.
An elevated dog feeder will bring their dishes up to a comfortable level, preventing any unnecessary discomfort.
#4 – Dental Care Basics
While proper dental care should be a priority throughout your dog’s life, it is even more important as your dog ages.
Senior dogs often struggle with sensitive teeth and other dental complications.
With products such as dental cleaning toys, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental wipes all readily available, there is no reason to neglect your dog’s oral hygiene.
Not comfortable addressing your dog’s dental care at home? Contact your veterinarian to discuss your options!
Related: ‘6 Dog Dental Care Tips Every Owner Should Know‘
#5 – Walk-Through Pet Gate
As your dog ages, he or she may not be able to get around like they used to.
Areas of your home that were once considered safe may not pose an increased risk to his/her safety and well-being.
The most common concern is staircases for dogs that are no longer able to navigate them safely.
A walk-through pet gate will allow you to easily block off unsafe spaces while also allowing you to easily move through your home.
#6 – Pawks Dog Socks
Another concern that you may have in your home as your dog ages is their ability to get traction on slippery surfaces such as hardwood floors.
The good news is that there is a simple (and low-cost) solution!
Pawks Dog Socks are made by RC Pets. They are easy to put on, comfortable, and include a slip-resistant bottom.
Why this brand specifically? Not all dog socks are made the same!
We recently had to purchase socks for our girl (our house is ALL hardwood) and we have had a GREAT experience with the Pawks products!
#7 – Interactive Puzzle Toys
I can’t list ‘must-have products for senior dogs’ without discussing the importance of exercising your dogs mind regularly!
Like humans, dogs will experience mental decline with age.
We can’t stop the effects of aging entirely, but we can slow down the decline by keeping our pups mentally active.
There are a number of great puzzle toys available for dogs of all ages.
#8 – Collapsible All-Terrain Wagon
This is a product that I am not currently using daily (I know, I said at the beginning that they were all my daily items).
However, this is something that I HAVE purchased after seeing friends using it.
If you have a dog that loves spending time outdoors, this is for you…
The idea that my girl may eventually be unable to go for her long walks and explore her favourite trails is heartbreaking.
An all-terrain wagon will allow me to still take her along on our walks and outdoor excursions, even when she can’t keep up any longer.
Just throw in a few blankets to make sure your dog is comfortable and he/she can enjoy the fresh air!
Related: ‘Easy 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Dog Treats‘
#9 – Carpeted Ramp for Beds and Couches
Our dogs sleep in bed with us at night, and that’s something that I’m not willing to change.
They LOVE curling up together as a pack.
However, as our dogs age, it can be difficult to jump up onto the bed with us (or onto other furniture like couches and loveseats).
This ramp is sturdy for larger dogs and the carpeting provides necessary traction.
#10 – Folding Ramp for Cars, Trucks, and SUVs
Just as the beds and couches can be a challenge for an older dog, so too can our vehicles.
Even if your dog isn’t a huge fan of car rides (I can’t say that we’ve dealt with that personally), they will still need to make the trip to visit the vet!
This folding ramp makes it easy for your pup to get into the vehicle and folds up for easy travel!
Have you ever cared for a senior dog (or are you currently caring for one)? If so, I would love to hear your must-have products for senior dogs!
Did I miss something that you feel is important?
Share your suggestions in the comments section below!
Make sure to share this list with any dog owners that you believe could benefit from these recommendations.
Questions about any of the items I’ve recommended? Swing over to my contact page!
Interesting list of items i have never seen any of them and i am guessing many people dont even know there are items like that they would be a big help for old dogs.
They can definitely make a big difference in terms of a dog’s comfort level as they face the aging process.
Loved this post! My childhood dog is definitely starting to show his age. We have an elevated feeder and a new bed but you’ve got some really good items listed!
Caiti | Champagne & Postcards
They mean so much to us, right? There is very little that I wouldn’t do for our pups if it will make them more comfortable. Especially after all the love and devotion that they have given us over the years!
This is a really helpful post. Some great ideas to help keep your older dog safe! Thank you for sharing.
Lauren | http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
Thank you!
Great post! I have a golden retriever who’s 8 years old, and we decided to get a puppy to ‘keep him young.’ It’s working so far! But we definitely got him the orthopedic bed and raised food bowls. Next step is to improve his dental health. Thank you!
Having a playmate is a great option! We have 2 and while they are both starting to get older (Daviana is 12 and Indiana is 8), they still encourage one another to play and run around.
I love this list of products. I was looking at the heated pad, and the folding ramp. I may actually order a friend the folding ramp for her senior dog. He is a larger dog, and I think this would make it so much easier for her when it is time for him to get in, and out of her SUV. And the heated blanket pad would be wonderful to help with discomfort with joints as they age. Great post!
My girl started having issues occasionally with her hips at the young age of 2 (not uncommon, given her breed). We learned quickly that a heating pad could offer her the relief she needed after an overly active day and we’ve kept that up for her ever since. You can literally see the content in her eyes when she snuggles in with that heat.
Hi Britt. That’s a great list of things for senior dogs. Our dog is 7, so perhaps not really senior yet, but he does have arthritis so we are already using many of the things that you mention. How do you find the car ramp? Is it easy to use (from a dog’s perspective!)?
The car ramp is great, but make sure that you get one like the one I shared here with the textured surface to walk on. It helps the dog to get better traction. I’ve seen a few that are too slick and I’m sure any dog that genuinely needs the ramp is just going to slide back down it.
First of all, I want to say that your girl Daviana is absolutely gorgeous and so lucky to have you take care of her in her old age. Secondly, it makes me think, could it be true for humans as well, the larger we are, the faster we age? An interesting thought and from observable experience seems to be true.
And finally, love, love it that there are such super products available for senior dogs.
Thank you, she’s my princess! I rescued her at a year old, and she’s been by my side through so many major life events.
That’s a good question about whether or not that concept applies to humans. If it does, that would have a significant impact on the approach to healthcare moving forward, wouldn’t it?
This is a really helpful post. My doggo is getting on a bit now – although he doesn’t act like it at the moment! I definitely want to be prepared though for when he’s a bit older x
More often than not, my girl doesn’t act like it now either – but I know that there’s a good chance that she will start to show her age in the near future. I would much rather be prepared than find myself scrambling when that time comes.
This is a great idea for a topic! A lot of people talk about the challenges of puppies, but the problems that come with older age in pets are not so often talked about. I especially like the look of that orthopaedic bed, I’m sure that will make the world of difference to ageing dogs.
We purchased a new bed for Dav last year and specifically sought out the best one we could find based on ratings for a senior large-breed dog. She is IN LOVE with it. It started as a bed just for the bedroom, but she prefers to sleep on our bed, so we moved the bed down into our main living area and she couldn’t be happier lol
Dog socks are such a great product – an easy, cheap solution to help their paws. When our German Shephard was getting old he loved the bed we had gotten made for him complete with a blanket. We miss him so much!
So glad Dav is doing well!
It’s amazing how much of a difference socks can make. For less than $20 we watched our girl get her independence back around the house again. Totally worth it!
I’ve never had a dog growing up, it’s always been cats or other smaller pets but I know how important it is to buy these extra things to help them out when they get older! Totally different to a dog but when my hamster got to his senior age (obviously only took around 3 years till he reached a senior age) but I got him a mini heat blanket to keep him warm as he wasn’t as good at keeping himself warm. xx
I love that you purchased a mini heat blanket. I would likely do the same – they deserve it!
Awe, our pooches get old just as us humans. I bet your pets live an amazing life. It sounds like you are very attentive to their needs.
They give us everything – our best friends, nurses, protectors, therapists, and more. The least we can do is to make them comfortable as they start to show their age.
This was so great and your doggo is so cute!! I haven’t heard about a lot of these, so it was great to get more educated!
Thank you! She’s my baby – Love her SO much and she knows it lol
I like the bed rump idea. I’m pinning this because its so helpful. A friend of mine will be needing this very soon as her dog is getting older now and she’s confused on what to do.
Thank you for sharing! If your friend has any questions, let her know that she is welcome to hit me up on my contact page or to join our community over on Facebook where she can talk to other pet owners that may have dealt with similar situations themselves.
Take it from an old guy, nothing better than a heated blanket for you and your senior dog
My girl LOVES curling up with her heated blanket any time she’s feeling stiff from running around all day. She likes to act like she’s still a puppy, but it does catch up with her occasionally.
We had our pup Molly from the time she was 4 months old until she was almost 15 years old. The last few years are the hardest. Much like your pup, our dog started to have a hard time walking on the hardwood floors. We placed rugs everywhere to give her better traction. At the time they didn’t have dog socks, or at least I didn’t know about them. Socks would have been the easier way to go. We also purchased a high quality orthopedic dog bed for her which seemed to help. I would also say that what we fed her made a big difference in how well she aged. We changed her dog food at around 10 years old and saw a big improvement in her ability to move.
Thanks for the great list of items for older dogs.
I definitely agree with the fact that their food can make a big difference. We started feeding Dav a limited ingredient food with her allergies in mind, which happens to be a higher-quality food than she was first eating. I credit it for the fact that she’s doing so well despite her age.
very useful! We had a cart for our lab in her late years. I am terrified of how my pups will live through their senior years as they are super active at 9 and 8. My elder started having health issues and it’s a major sign to me
If they are super active now, don’t count them out as they get older! Daviana is 12 years old now and she still runs laps around our back yard. She has the energy of a much younger pup.
I was shocked when you wrote she is 12. I was like ‘what? she looks 5 tops!’ I agree, if they are healthy and happy they are not old. Earlier today I took part in a race and my friend was outran by 80 year old. I couldn’t call him old despite all the wrinkles out there!
She gets that A LOT. Everywhere I go, people are surprised by how old she is. It makes me smile to see her still running around and playing like a pup.
oh by the way, ramp is super useful for bad jumpers. my friends bought it for their cordi mix, works wonders and they don’t have to lift him up
Yes! Some pups just aren’t good jumpers, even when they’re young lol!
My friends parents dog is very old so this is going to be perfect for them thanks for sharing x
Thank you!
I have a cat, not a dog. But he’s definitely getting up there in years, and some of these are fantastic ideas even for him! I can definitely say that the raised food and water bowls are a major asset to aging pets. I’ve been contemplating getting a set of stairs for him to climb up onto my bed easier, as he is starting to have a harder time jumping up there. I usually just pick him up, but I hate seeing him struggle so much trying to do it on his own.
That’s the hardest part with an aging pet, isn’t it, seeing the struggle to do something that they were once able to do with ease. Dav still has a lot of energy, but jumping up on the bed is definitely harder for her now than it once was. We currently have her trained to come to us and put her front feet up on the bed to let us know she wants up. We lift her up so that she doesn’t have to try to jump and make it any more.
Ahh my sister in law has a senior dog, I might have to pick up some of these goodies for her! So many great suggestions!
Thank you! I’m sure her pup would appreciate it. We recently invested in some socks for our girl Dav because she was having a harder time with our hardwood floors and it was like it brought the puppy back out in here. I have been so happy to watch her run and play again.
We live in a small studio and with Layla aging, 14 years old I have done some changes in the house, we do not have carpets so I bought mats to put around the bed so she does not slide on the wood, she thank goodness does not jump on or off the bed since her neck injury so I pick her up or put her down and she moans to tell me what she wants. I use a backpack for her when we go on long walks so that if I need to carry her she sits in the backpack and loves it. Her bowl is elevated and her bed is an orthopedic one so I think I covered everything for her. As for the puzzle toys, she hates anything with plastic so have not invested in them but am looking into getting her a snuffle mat which hopefully will interest her.
Great post
We’ve been looking into a snuffle mat for Indy as of late. While Dav LOVES toys and will play with just about everything, he just doesn’t have the interest in them. However, he is very food driven and the soft textures of a snuffle mat would be something he’d more likely enjoy.
Those heated blankets are a must!
My girl LOVES hers after a busy day. Too much running around gives her stiff hips, but cuddling in the heated blanket gives her the relief that she needs.
This post is awesome! Thank you so much! Our body is approx 11 (he’s a rescue who really knows) and slowing down. One thing really struggling with is our wood floors. I have yoga socks with the non slip dots, I didn’t know they made them for dogs! heading to amazon now!
Our house is all wood and laminate flooring and Dav girl has a history of hip issues. We just started using the socks recently and it has been a total game-changer. After putting them on her and allowing her to get used to them (and realize that it gave her traction again) we watched her transition from carefully walking around the house to booting around like a happy puppy again. Totally worth every dime!
Awww I still have babies for now but this is a great list to keep in my in the far far away future
Such a fun stage of their lives! Time flies, enjoy this time with them and make plenty of memories 🙂
You are right, she doesn’t looked old until you mentioned it. I bet she got the best experience in dog’d life 🙂
She is CONSTANTLY mistaken for being younger, but I don’t mind. It means that we still get to play, hike together, etc. I love having my best friend by my side when I’m out exploring.