Every puppy deserves a safe and comfortable home. Choosing the ideal dog floor is the first thing the guardian should pay attention to. We often don't even realize it, but some types of flooring, especially the slippery and smooth ones, facilitate falls and domestic accidents. These situations can seriously affect the bone structure of your best friend. The Paws of the House interviewed veterinarian Luiz Henrique Malfatti, a specialist in veterinary orthopedics, to explain the dangers that choosing the wrong dog flooring can cause to your pet's joints. In addition, he indicates the best types of dog flooring and gives tips to make your home comfortable and safe for your dog. Check it out below!

Slippery dog flooring can cause joint injuries

An unsuitable dog floor is an invitation to orthopedic problems. Slippery floors increase the risk of falls and slips, which can cause damage to your pet's joints. The specialist explains that any part of the body can be injured, but that the greatest risk is in the joints (especially knee and hip), as they end up being very forced on the smooth floor: "A patient,No matter how healthy you are, with that factor of slipping you can get a knee joint injury. You can slip when you jump out of bed or off the couch and get an elbow injury, shoulder injury or even a back injury. It's like walking on soap, really."

Dogs with hip dysplasia and joint disease are further disadvantaged by inadequate dog flooring

Slippery dog flooring is even more serious in dogs that already suffer from joint problems, such as hip dysplasia. In this genetic disease, the femur and hip bones do not fit together correctly, causing a lot of pain and discomfort, as well as instability. "Taking this into account, a patient who has this alteration will already have a little more difficulty in support. So thesmooth floor makes it slip more and does not have the proper balance, which can lead to injuries, such as a dislocation or subluxation of the hip ", he explains.

Wooden or porcelain floors for dogs: both are harmful

It is important to know which floors are less suitable for dogs to avoid installing in your home. The veterinarian explains that laminate floors - such as wooden tacos - are not the most suitable choices. In addition to them, porcelain floors for dogs are a great danger, as, like wooden floors, they make the floor very slippery. The probability of the puppy suffering an accident inenvironments with these coatings is much higher, so always try to avoid them.

Non-slip floor for dogs: the best option to keep your pet accident-free

Unlike wood or porcelain tiles for dogs, there are alternatives on the market that prevent accidents at home. According to the expert, the best option is the non-slip floor for dogs. "The advantage is that it has a much better grip, so the dog can support more firmly without having the risk of slipping," he says. It is the perfect flooring option for an apartment with a dog, where the dog can't slip.animal has less space and is more at risk of bumping and tripping.

In houses with a backyard, it is important to be careful in the outdoor area as well. The best floor for a backyard with a dog is grass or non-slip, but the orthopedist also indicates other options: "There are ceramic floors or those similar to pool floors. The best of all would be a lawn, but there are also special floors for part of the non-slip yard that is what we useusually at the front of the yard so no one slips".

You can make your floor dog-slip resistant with a few measures

Many homes already have porcelain or wooden floors, but if you can't afford to change the floor, there are ways to make it less dangerous without having to do any work. "There are rubber treadmills, which sell by the square meter in home goods stores. Those children's tabards - EVA mats - that we see in daycare centers are also very nice and work or the carpet itself," she says.But the cool thing is to fix it, so put a sofa or other furniture on top." In addition, the orthopedist suggests installing stairs, ramps and steps in the access of beds and sofas. "Having a support in the descent and ascent of sofa and bed is ideal. This will help a lot to avoid the problem." Another tip is to avoid leaving vases or objects - such as bowls and bottles - close to the floor and on furnitureopen that the dog may bump into and end up slipping.

In addition to taking care of the dog floor, keep your pet's nails and hair trimmed

In addition to putting the best floor for dogs or adhering to techniques that prevent slipping, some care with the dog itself must be taken. "We always have to keep an eye on the size of the nails. It is important to be well cut, especially in pets that stay indoors, "says the veterinarian. He also warns of the cushion area, the pads that are under the paw:"There's usually a lot of hair growing in the middle, which helps it slip." That's why it's important to always keep the hair in the area very well trimmed.

Slippery dog floor: how to identify joint problems in the animal?

Dogs with joint problems, such as hip dysplasia, show some characteristic signs that indicate something is wrong. They usually can't get a good grip on the floor and end up skidding or slipping frequently, especially when playing and running around the house. In addition to slipping, they can hit furniture and hurt themselves, since they can't brake. "Everything goesdepends on the injury, but a dog that has a hip or knee injury, for example, limps a lot ", warns Luiz Henrique. That is why it is so important to observe your pet's habits to identify when there is something wrong or a sign of pain. When you notice anything wrong, take him to the vet and quickly adopt measures to make the dog's floor as safe as possible.