As dogs get older and face issues such as arthritis and joint weakness, owners need to be aware that their dog is at risk of injury when they are jumping down from furniture such as couches or beds. In addition, it is important to understand that climbing onto these same areas will become more difficult for dogs as they get into their later years. Dog steps can be just the answer as they allow older dogs to climb without straining their joints and descend without the need to jump.

We had the opportunity to do a side-by-side review of two popular dog steps currently on the market. Doggy Steps from the As Seen on TV brand and Pet Gear’s Soft Steps.

There are noticeable differences between the two products starting with price. The As Seen on TV Doggy Steps are approximately $35 CDN compared to Pet Gear’s which run around $75 CDN. The expression ‘you get what you pay for’ was running through my head as I could not help but notice how flimsy the Doggy Steps were next to the sturdy Pet Gear dog stairs.

The Doggy Steps can handle dogs up to 70 lbs, but I would feel a bit safer if only small lightweight dogs used these stairs as the lack of stability was worrisome. The Pet Gear product with its wider steps has a maximum weight capacity of 150 lbs, something I personally put to the test

The size of the steps was also very different between the two products. The Doggy Steps measure 18″Lx14″Wx12″H while the Pet Gear dog steps come in much taller and wider at 22.5″L x 16″W x 16″H.

Both products have an underneath rubber that allows the dog steps to grip even the most slippery floors such as hardwood or tile. In terms of colour selection, the Doggy Steps only come in the creme colour while the Pet Gear dog steps come in Blue, Burgundy, Coffee and Leopard.

Overall, there is a dog and a situation to suit both products so each owner needs to make the decision according to their dog’s needs and the physical surroundings. Small dogs can certainly benefit from the Doggy Steps which are especially useful when budget and room size are an issue. The Pet Gear steps are definitely of a higher quality and therefore the better choice for heavier, bigger dogs or small dogs that like to fit their whole body on each step as they climb.

The most important thing to decide is whether it is time to give your dog an easier way to climb onto and down from couches and beds to help keep them safe from injury, while continuing to give them access to some of their favourite places around the house. For more info on dog steps please visit: DogQuality.com

Have you used dog steps for your senior dog? If so we’d love to hear about your experience.

Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of www.DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.

We put these dog socks with grips to the test to see how helpful they could be for older dogs suffering from arthritis, hip problems or general leg weakness who have trouble walking on slippery surfaces like tile or hardwood.

If you have ever had your  senior dog on hardwood or tile surfaces you know that if there is leg weakness it can be very difficult for your dog to walk or even stand.

These dog socks called Power Paws are made by Woodrow Wear out of California. Woodrow Wear was kind enough to send us some samples to review, something we very much appreciate. These dog socks are a cute blue with a paw print tread underneath and a white dog bone print on the top making them not only practical, but quite stylish at the same time.

Thanks to the help of a nine year old Yorkie named Monty, a 14 year old Yorkie-Poo named Sheba and a 13 year old pug named Mackenzie you will see in the video below exactly what they thought of these colourful dog socks.

The biggest plus for these dog socks is how comfortable they are for dogs. Speaking from experience, placing footwear on a dog is not always well-received. As a result, I was honestly not sure what to expect from these dog socks, but each dog acted as if they had nothing on which blew me away. In fact they put them to work instantly the minute we put them on which was great to see.

Who knew something as simple as socks with grips could make such a difference for older dogs. Senior dog owners will be very relieved at the results from these terrific dog socks and their four-legged family members will no longer struggle on hardwood or tiled floors.

For more info on these dog socks for senior dogs please visit: www.DogQuality.com

We did this video as a follow up to our original video product review to discuss the results of our two week long test. This orthopedic dog bed is veterinarian recommended for relief from arthritis and hip displasia, two common conditions faced by older dogs.

We put this dog bed through this test to determine if we would be able to see any improvement in Mackenzie’s overall condition when he wakes from naps. Mackenzie, my 13 year old pug, is challenged by arthritis, which is most apparent when he wakes from extended sleep in his bed.

Find out how this dog bed performed during this testing period and whether or not there was any improvement in Mackenzie’s post-nap condition.

As many of you know we talk a lot about dog diapers as an important way to help senior dogs and one of the themes that comes up over and over again is the problem some breeds have with keeping a diaper on. We recently showed you a washable diaper that does a great job of staying on your dog, however up until now we didn’t have a solution for those senior dog owners who prefer the disposable dog diapers, but have breeds with trouble keeping these diapers in place.

For some people the traditional disposable dog diapers work great. They are affordable, comfortable and do the job, but for others these simply do not stay on their dogs long enough to be an effective solution to unwanted accidents. I personally have experienced this issue with my French Bulldogs so I have been on the hunt for a solution to this challenging issue and I am excited to announce that we have found a very cool disposable dog diaper that actually stays on your dog even if they are running around your house. They are called Do-rite diapers and I am proud to be adding this high quality product to our selection and I am extra excited because this is the first time these disposable dog diapers are available in Canada.

Here is a closer look at this amazing new product:

I describe these as premium disposable dog diapers because  you will quickly see that they are quite a bit more expensive than traditional disposables, but once you try them out you will see why. These diapers are of very high quality and have a truly innovative design, which is what makes them such an effective product. They have a much higher waist line that any diaper on the market today, which makes them suitable for both male and female dogs. They are made of a very unique woven fabric that allows the sides to stretch to fit your dog properly, while remaining comfortable and they come with a stretchy set of suspenders that keep the diapers where they need to be - on your dog. Unfortunately you need to pay for that effectiveness.

These diapers are approximately 5 times as expensive as regular disposables, but it is well worth it if it means keeping your dog happy and your carpets clean. For those senior dog owners who have struggled with keeping diapers on their dog, this product can bring you the peace of mind you and your dog have been looking for.

We are selling these in trial packs of 2 so people can test them out or you can purchase them in a 5 pack . We welcome your feedback on this new addition to our product line, so please drop me a line and tell me what you think.

For more info on our selection of dog diapers please visit DogQuality.com