10-27-2015, 02:06 AM
One thing I have always thought could be dangerous for dogs is -smooth flooring!
Laminate wood flooring is very popular. Most people have it. It looks nice, is easy to keep clean etc. But I have seen so many dogs slip and twist their legs and bodies on it, when playing games, or when jumping down from a couch or something.
Unlike cats, dogs have claws always extended, and even if their claws are kept trimmed, their footing is always unstable on smooth flooring.
Even when a dog walks across a smooth floor slowly, it's possible to see it is making compensation for its unstable footing. Over the years that can put strain on joints and ligaments.
A torn cruciate ligament (in the knee) is a very expensive surgery, and sometimes the other one can go too. Then there all the other strains and injuries which can happen from slipping or twisting badly.
That can be especially dangerous on stairs.
Putting non-slip mats down where the dog mostly goes is a good idea.
I was tempted to put laminate wood flooring down in my cottage a few years ago, but chose natural grass mat instead through the downstairs area, because of my dog. (That smelled so beautiful too and is not a nightmare to keep clean.)
Laminate wood flooring is very popular. Most people have it. It looks nice, is easy to keep clean etc. But I have seen so many dogs slip and twist their legs and bodies on it, when playing games, or when jumping down from a couch or something.
Unlike cats, dogs have claws always extended, and even if their claws are kept trimmed, their footing is always unstable on smooth flooring.
Even when a dog walks across a smooth floor slowly, it's possible to see it is making compensation for its unstable footing. Over the years that can put strain on joints and ligaments.
A torn cruciate ligament (in the knee) is a very expensive surgery, and sometimes the other one can go too. Then there all the other strains and injuries which can happen from slipping or twisting badly.
That can be especially dangerous on stairs.
Putting non-slip mats down where the dog mostly goes is a good idea.
I was tempted to put laminate wood flooring down in my cottage a few years ago, but chose natural grass mat instead through the downstairs area, because of my dog. (That smelled so beautiful too and is not a nightmare to keep clean.)
