If your family is like mine then Christmas is a time where the dogs make out way better than the humans Our Christmas tree is usually filled with more gifts for our family dogs than for any of the two-legged members and I couldn’t be happier.

I am often asked for suggestions on the perfect gift to get an older dog so I thought I would write a post that summarized my top 5 picks for Christmas gifts this year.

1) If your dog is like mine then food is the number one favourite gift. For senior dogs I have started to give Greenies for seniors. For those of you not familiar with Greenies, they are treats that also act as a dental aid and breath freshener. The type especially made for senior dogs have the added bonus of ingredients that help promote healthy  joints, bones, skin, and coat health. They are also rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Dogs seem to love these and they are just soft enough that even our older dogs can enjoy this healthy treat. All of my dogs are getting some of these in their stockings.

2) Another great gift for an older dog, especially one that struggles with mobility, is a dog stroller. I know there is likely snow outside but winter is not forever and before you know it the roads will be clear and your dog will be ready to feel the wind beneath their wings. Or you could plow through the snow with our very own product, the Dogger dog stroller. It has 12 inch air-filled tires that have proven to do quite well on snow covered roads and sidewalks.                                                                       

3) If your dog is suffering from arthritis then they may appreciate the therapeutic help that an orthopedic dog bed can bring. I recommend going with a bed that is made of memory foam because this helps to evenly distribute their weight and reduce the pressure on sore joints. I tested these against a regular fluffy bed and the difference was significant. Mackenzie, my 14 3/4 years old pug used to get up limping and at times would even fall over and now that he only uses orthopedic beds, he gets up without any difficulty. I was so happy with the results that I filled my house with these beds.

4) Outside of the product world another terrific gift to give your senior dog is a canine massage. There is a growing number of professional dog massage therapists popping up to address the growing demand for this alternative treatment. If you have ever had a massage yourself you should understand just how great it can feel, not to mention the therapeutic benefits for your dog.

5) My fifth pick for the top Christmas gift for your older dog borders on controversial, but I am becoming a believer. Stem cell therapy is a fast growing treatment that is showing some tremendous results in the treatment of dog arthritis. I am confident that before too long this form of treatment will become much more mainstream as the number of vets that are offering this type of treatment continues to escalate. Keep in mind that this is an expensive treatment, but from what I have seen so far in terms of results, it seems to be worth it.

This of course is not an extensive list, but hopefully I have given you a few things to consider this Christmas for your older dog.

What are you giving your senior dog this year? Please feel free to share you Christmas gift ideas.

Western Canada has already had its fair share of winter, despite the fact that it is only November. Rather than sing the winter blues, we decided to use this opportunity to test drive the Dogger in the snow and ice to see how it handles.

I have heard some great things from our Dogger customers in Alberta who were hit much harder than we were here in the Vancouver area, but I wanted to see for myself just how well it operated in these conditions.

Boy, the Dogger did not disappoint. The 12 inch air-filled tires plowed through the snow with ease and the traction was wonderful. Maybe winter won’t be so bad after all.

Check out the Dogger video

p.s. If you do decide to brave the winter and go for a stroll with your Dogger, please don’t forget to bundle your dog up extremely well so they stay nice and warm. A tip I mention in the video is to take advantage of the rain cover to help block out some of that cold wind.

Do you have a Dogger? Please share your story with us

Today we were fortunate to have participated in Paws for a Cause, a fund raising event that helps animals across British Columbia – what a fantastic day it was. Even though it rained the entire day there was no shortage of dogs (or owners). It is truly an amazing feeling to spend the day with so many animal lovers.

One of the products we presented was our soon-to-be-launched, super cool dog stroller called the Dogger™. To capture the crowd’s reaction to this amazing new product, which helps older dogs with mobility issues, we recorded some of today’s interactions. We couldn’t be happier with the response.

Check it out:

*UPDATE: The Dogger is now available. For more info or to order your own Dogger click here

The Dogger™ hits the local parks, but hey we can’t be responsible for the impact it makes – this is one cool dog stroller!

Want your own Dogger? Click here

Today when I was out on a walk with my younger dog on a leash and my senior dog in his stroller, I was reminded of how amazing a dog stroller can be. If you are like me and have one dog who can walk without issue, and another who can only walk for a few minutes then you will appreciate what I am saying.

Having the ability to take both dogs out for the walks they both enjoy so much is so rewarding I don’t know what I ever did without one

For those of you who are new to the concept, here are the top 10 reasons to use a dog stroller.

1. Allows your senior dog to come on long walks again.

2. Older dogs can walk when able and ride when they need a rest, allowing them to continue to get the exercise they need to stay healthy.

3. Getting your older dog out and about helps to keep their minds stimulated, contributing to better mental health.

4. You no longer have to look into the disappointed face of your senior dog as you tell them they can’t come with you because now they can!

5. Dog strollers are easy to transport so you can bring them anywhere.

6. The right dog stroller can last years giving you extreme value for your dollar.

7. Older dogs love the view from the dog stroller. It keeps them young at heart and can breathe new life into your senior dog.

8. Not only can a dog stroller help to keep your elderly dog active, but you might find yourself shedding a few pounds as well with all the walking or jogging.

9. If your dog has arthritis, is injured or disabled, a dog stroller is a great way to help them travel safely whether it’s to the vet, groomer or to the park.

10. Many dog strollers can fit two dogs comfortably so even if you have two older dogs, you can all get back to walking again.

Can you think of some reasons I missed? Share your thoughts or experiences with your dog stroller.