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My senior dog slips on hard floors and struggles to get up. Help?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | neutered | 14 years old | 70 lbs

Ellis is a black lab, bred for guide dog service, but didn’t graduate. He is now 14. He’s a happy pup, but has been in decline. Just this year he decided he no longer wants to go for walks. He’s pretty lumpy. We now live in a house with mostly hard floors, but we do have rugs in places. He has increasingly had a hard time getting up off the floor and his paws tend to splay out. Just today he would get up and his back legs would tremble and he would try to wander around but hesitate...

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 21st, 2023

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach.

There are MANY different things that can be done to help him get around better - namely medications that your vet can prescribe. I think it would be the least you can do to help him. Remember, just because a dog is not crying or complaining doesn't mean he is not in pain. Animals do not manifest pain the same way we do. They just carry on and do the best they can like they would do in the wild. Please take him to a vet for an exam and to get him started on some NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication). Don't let him continue to be in pain. You will be surprised at how much the medications help.

You could also get him nail grips or special boots/socks for him to wear the have grips on them to help him not slide around on the floor:

( https://toegrips.com )

( https://www.amazon.com/DOK-TigerToes-Premium-Non-Slip-Hardwood/dp/B0BHKN1G9C/ )

Hope this helps. Best wishes.

8Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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