Flooring that saves you money

Flooring that saves you money

Flooring that saves you money

The average cost of managing hip dysplasia in dogs over their lifetime can vary significantly based on the severity of the condition, the types of treatments pursued, and the dog’s individual response to treatment. Here are some cost estimates for different aspects of managing hip dysplasia in dogs in the UK:

Mild Hip Dysplasia (non-surgical management):

– Initial diagnosis: £250 to £500

– Medications and supplements: £40 to £90 per month (approximately £480 to £1,080 per year)

– Physiotherapy (occasional): £300 to £600 per year

Total over 10 years: £6,050 to £12,700

Moderate Hip Dysplasia (non-surgical management with regular therapy)

– Initial diagnosis: £250 to £500

– Medications and supplements: £60 to £120 per month (approximately £720 to £1,440 per year)

– Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy: £600 to £1,200 per year

Total over 10 years: £9,050 to £18,900

Severe Hip Dysplasia (surgical intervention):

– Initial diagnosis: £250 to £500

– Surgery (e.g., Total Hip Replacement): £4,000 to £7,000 per hip

– Post-surgical care and physiotherapy: £500 to £1,200 per year

Total over 10 years (assuming one hip surgery): £14,750 to £29,500

Summary:

– Mild Hip Dysplasia: £6,050 to £12,700

– Moderate Hip Dysplasia: £9,050 to £18,900

– Severe Hip Dysplasia (one hip surgery): £14,750 to £29,500

These figures are approximate and can vary based on individual circumstances, the specific treatments chosen, and geographic location within the UK. It’s always advisable to consult with a veterinarian for a tailored treatment plan and cost estimate for a specific dog. Additionally, pet insurance can help offset some of these costs, so it’s worth considering this option as well.

Hip dysplasia in dogs is primarily a genetic condition, influenced by a variety of factors including genetics, nutrition, growth rate, and environmental factors. The exact percentage of hip dysplasia cases caused specifically by slippery floors is not well-documented in scientific literature. However, it is widely acknowledged that environmental factors, including flooring, can exacerbate the condition and potentially contribute to its development in genetically predisposed dogs.

There is a lot of expert consensus these days that slippery floors can exacerbate hip dysplasia in dogs. It can be difficult for them to maintain stable footing, which can lead to increased joint stress and potential injuries. For example Flicker: https://pawflicker.com/hip-dysplasia-in-dogs-causes-symptoms-and-solutions/ Additionally, “Dogster” advises that managing a dog’s environment to reduce slipping can help mitigate some of the physical challenges associated with hip dysplasia

15 Ways to Keep Dogs from Slipping & Sliding On Floors: Expert Tips Dogster https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/how-to-keep-dogs-from-slipping-sliding-on-floors).

Experts and veterinarians often suggest using non-slip solutions like traction socks, mats, and rugs to provide safer walking surfaces for dogs prone to hip dysplasia. This kind of proactive management can help reduce the risk of joint injuries and provide better support for dogs already suffering from the condition.

The average cost of managing hip dysplasia in dogs over their lifetime can vary significantly based on the severity of the condition, the types of treatments pursued, and the dog’s individual response to treatment. Here are some cost estimates for different aspects of managing hip dysplasia in dogs in the UK:

The above management techniques will help your dog, but are not always practical or be-fitting of an attractive interior.

At Floors for paws; We aim to give you and your dog flooring that is as beautiful as it is safe and actually be a flooring that saves you money!

At Floors for Paws, our PawSafe flooring ranges have been developed in partnership with Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) to be kind to dogs. Our Pawsafe Domestic range and our Luxury Vinyl range are supplied in a choice of plank or tile options in a range of attractive wood- and stone-effect finishes to satisfy the most house proud amongst us. The multi-layered construction has a textured surface layer plus a soft, comfort layer for kinder cushioning to joints.

If you want a flooring that saves you money, simply call us today on 01522 300218 to find out more, or  drop us an email to info@floorsforpaws.com

The Critical Need for Non-Slip Flooring to Prevent Joint Damage in Dogs

safe flooring for dogs

For our beloved canine companions, every step they take is an expression of joy and curiosity. However, as responsible pet owners, we must recognise the need for non-slip flooring for dogs

 

Beyond the risk of falls and injuries, slippery surfaces can have detrimental effects on our dogs’ joint health, leading to pain, discomfort, and long-term damage. In this blog, we’ll delve into the critical need for non-slip flooring to prevent joint damage in dogs and the role it plays in safeguarding their mobility and overall well-being.

Understanding the Impact of Slippery Floors on Joint Health

Slippery floors, such as hardwood, tile, or laminate, may seem innocuous at first glance, but for our four-legged friends, they present a significant hazard. When dogs walk or run on slick surfaces, their paws lack the traction needed to grip and stabilize their movements. As a result, they often resort to splaying their legs outward or tensing their muscles, placing undue stress on their joints, particularly the hips, knees, and ankles.

Over time, this repetitive strain and instability can lead to a range of joint-related issues, including:

Arthritis: Slippery floors exacerbate wear and tear on the joints, contributing to the development and progression of arthritis, a common condition characterized by inflammation and stiffness.

Hip Dysplasia: Dogs with a genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia are especially vulnerable to joint damage on slippery surfaces. The lack of traction increases the risk of hip displacement and exacerbates existing hip dysplasia symptoms.

Soft Tissue Injuries: Slips and falls on slick floors can cause soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and ligament tears, further compromising joint stability and function.

The Role of Non-Slip Flooring in Joint Protection

Non-slip flooring serves as a crucial preventive measure in mitigating the risks associated with slippery surfaces for dogs. By providing traction and stability, non-slip flooring allows dogs to move freely and confidently without the fear of slips or falls. This is particularly important for senior dogs, puppies, and breeds prone to joint issues, who may already be predisposed to mobility challenges.

Key Benefits of Non-Slip Flooring for Dogs’ Joint Health

  • Traction and Stability – Non-slip flooring materials, such as rubber, carpet, or textured vinyl, offer enhanced traction and grip, enabling dogs to maintain their balance and stability while walking, running, or playing.
  • Joint Protection – By reducing the need for compensatory movements and muscle tension, non-slip flooring helps alleviate stress on the joints, minimizing the risk of strain, injury, and degenerative conditions such as arthritis.
  • Comfort and Confidence – Dogs feel more secure and confident on non-slip surfaces, allowing them to move with ease and fluidity. This promotes a positive mindset and emotional well-being, essential components of overall joint health.

Choosing Non-Slip Flooring for Your Home

When selecting flooring materials for your home, prioritise options that offer superior traction and slip resistance for your furry friend’s safety and joint health. Consider:

The best flooring for dogs is one that will tick all the boxes – be comfortable to rest on, be able to cope with increased accidents, and be safe to walk on. Working with CAM, we have developed a domestic range which each do just that:

Pawsafe Domestic Range 

Our Pawsafe Domestic range is a luxury vinyl plank flooring offering the aesthetic and choice that our customers want. Durable and scratch resistant, the luxurious cushion comfort layer is kind to old bones and sore joints, while the anti-slip wear layer will help your dog not to slip and slide. A textured surface aids traction and allows infirm dogs to move around confidently, without the fear of losing their balance. Available in a choice of plank sizes and a herringbone option, Pawsafe Domestic is low maintenance and, when professionally installed, completely waterproof with a 30-year domestic guarantee.

Best flooring for dogs from Floors for Paws

To chat through your requirements for the best flooring for older dogs, please get in touch, and our friendly sales team will be happy to help. Email us at info@floorsforpaws.com or give us a call on 01522 300218.

Arthritis in dogs – Safe flooring can help

Leah on greenwood

Arthritis in dogs affects at least one in five, and its prevalence increases as a dog ages. The sad truth is that your dog has or will get osteoarthritis at some point in its life.

At least 80% of dogs over the age of 8 years old suffer from arthritis, therefore it is likely that your dog will develop arthritis in one or more joints at some stage in their life.

Dogs are incredible at ‘coping’ with discomfort. Some suggest it is due to them wishing to mask their pain and avoid appearing vulnerable. Others suggest the only option is ‘to cope’ when you do not understand there is an alternative. And some feel they demonstrate tolerance to musculoskeletal pain due to the insidious chronic nature of its development and through the ability to shift weight away from the pain into other regions of the body.

Whatever the reason, dogs often have significant disease even before it is suspected as detecting it can be very difficult.

Pain is typically classed as either being acute or chronic. This is an important distinction as while acute pain serves a useful biological purpose, chronic pain does not.

How is arthritis in dogs recognised?

Behavioural signs can be playing less with toys, licking joints excessively, pacing at night and low mood. Changes in posture may include a hunched back, avoiding putting weight on one leg, low head carriage and a low, tucked in tail. Mobility issues may arise, such as; slowing down on walks, stiffness after rest periods, lameness and dragging feet.
Recognition of any of these in your dog is the most important factor as the earlier it is identified the shorter your beloved dog will be in pain and discomfort.

The first actionable step if your dog is diagnosed is weight management. If your dog is overweight, weight loss will have a significant positive impact on the pain of arthritis and will slow the progression of the disease. Studies have shown that losing 6% of excess body weight will significantly reduce an arthritic dog’s lameness. 63% of all dogs are overweight and 90% of owners cannot see that their dog is overweight.

What is often surprising is that the most important steps in managing Canine arthritis rest with us as owners and many can be done prior to Veterinary intervention and medicines.

Home adaptations

Like humans our pets are also vulnerable to harm from obstacles of daily living that were once easy to navigate, but with a physical impairment become a risky challenge. Simple inexpensive modifications are hugely beneficial to assist our companions achieving a comfortable life well into old age.

These interventions are often overlooked as there is a belief that a dog is more agile and stable than a human because they have four legs. Unfortunately this is not true. With diseases like arthritis, that cause pain and reduced function, the dog will offload that limb and use it less. Muscle mass and function reduces, as if you don’t use it, you will lose it. This functional loss also includes strength, balance, reaction times and agility. They lose their physical coping mechanisms, and what was once easy becomes hard. A few steps from the living room to the kitchen become a balance challenge. The stairs to the bedroom become hard work for weak wobbly limbs leaving them liable to falling.

Through adapting your dog’s environment, you will not only improve their physical comfort levels and reduce the risk of injury, you will likely slow the progression of the disease, and positively influence their emotional state through reducing stress and anxiety.

Owners must remember dogs are incredible at coping with the world that we surround them in. They will continue as best they can, no matter the circumstance. A dog with painful, weak limbs will continue to cross a slippery floor to reach the resources that are important to them such as their food and water, or their exit point to the garden, or to simply be with their owner/friend. This does not mean that that activity is not painful or dangerous to them. Comprehending their capability, being aware of the risks and adjusting to improve safety and comfort is an essential part of a chronic pain management plan.

Floors For Paws PawSafe flooring is a CAM approved product that ensures safe and cushioned footing for your dog.

Pawsafe Domestic Range

Exercise

Managing your dog’s exercise levels is essential to the management of arthritis. We must remember that our dogs don’t have the forethought that hours of boisterous play, ball chasing or running off the lead is likely to cause them pain later. At the time they will be under the influence of endorphins and other pain-relieving neurochemicals. The pain is likely to come later and will not be associated with the activity due to the time delay. This is well illustrated through clicker training theory. A click is an effective reward if done at the time of wanted behaviour. It will not be effective an hour after the wanted behaviour has occurred because it will not be associated.

With their inability to link activity with deterioration in pain later, we must influence what they do.

As mentioned previously, there are countless presentations of arthritis in dogs, from very mild undetectable arthritis that does not affect their capabilities, to severe arthritis that debilitates their every move and their quality of life. Offering advice that can support such a wide spectrum of disease presentation is nigh on impossible, but there are some crucial points to understand when making an exercise plan.

Diet and nutrition

It is globally agreed that the most important factor that may influence choice of diet for an arthritic dog is reaching and maintaining optimal body weight. Being overweight (110% of their recommended body weight) or obese (120% of their recommended bodyweight) has significant impact on pain control and progression of arthritis. Ensuring the diet chosen enables controlled weight loss if needed or maintained weight if already at the appropriate weight is a priority.

Canine Arthritis management offer us owners a huge amount of essential information and advice for dog owners. Even if your dog is not arthritic CAM will give priceless advice on making sure they never do! https://caninearthritis.co.uk/

Belle’s Story the Next Chapter – Tripawd journey

anti-slip flooring

Belle had her operation on Friday 23rd June, the operation itself took longer than they initially thought and she ended up in theatre for over three hours. The operation was very successful and she was stable throughout.

I collected Belle on the Tuesday after her operation, the vets were very concerned about the type of floors we had in the house. Belle slipping could potentially cause her wound to open so it was imperative that that she had Anti-slip flooring. Once I explained our living room and kitchen was decked out in flooring designed specifically for ‘paws’ they told me to contain her to these areas only. Belle has been a little unstable on her three legs but generally doing very well, the only time she has fallen was when she escaped into the play room which has a completely smooth solid wooden floor.

The first couple of weeks it was imperative that Belle was kept quiet and calm; this was a feat in itself considering I have a three year old and a puppy who love playing together! Belle was very confident walking on our anti slip flooring which helped her adjust to her new situation; it took her a little longer to get back to running across fields and up and down dykes. When we go walking it is across country and I can guarantee I come back with a muddy dog and filthy child; both are oblivious to the state to their dirty wellies and muddy paws and think nothing of walking straight into the house. Luckily my ‘floor for paws’ takes everything we can throw at it and comes up sparkling after a good clean. Belle also has a habit of taking all her food out of her bowl dropping each bit on the floor before she eats it; but I don’t stress about that, I don’t worry about the paint splodges, spilt drinks, kicked over bowls of water or the occasional wee. One of the reassuring things floors for paws offers is a 30 year domestic guarantee on all their products so I have one less thing to worry about for the time being!

Floors for paws PawSafe Anti-slip flooring is endorsed by Dr Hannah Capon of Canine arthritis management;

Floors for Paws

For you free samples of our Pet friendly Anti-slip flooring, click below

PawSafe domestic range

Flooring Safety for your Dog

safe flooring for dogs

Flooring Safety for your dog and home

It might sound crazy but it’s not uncommon for dogs to require major surgery following an injury caused by simply slipping on smooth flooring at home. The most common injuries are bruises, pulled muscles and torn ligaments however serious bone and hip injuries can also occur. If your dog is young and excitable they are more likely to receive injuries many of which can affect them throughout their lives and cause problems such as arthritis in later years.

Fortunately there are several things we can do to ensure our homes are as safe as possible for our four legged family members:

1. Keep your dogs nails short – overgrown nails and toe fur can contribute to a dogs difficulty maintaining good contact with smooth surfaces and increase the likelihood of slipping

2. Keep your dog in shape – if your dog is a healthy weight there will be less pressure on his joints and walking will be easier. Feeding your dog a healthy diet of wholesome
nutritious food and taking them for regular exercise is essential for your dogs well being

3. Dry paw pads are often a cause for dogs having traction and slipping issues, unprotected contact with hot pavements, snow and sand can lead to the development of dry paw pads. When
the skin is overly dry it lacks the capability to grip and causes paws to slide across smooth surfaces. There are many pad moisturisers specifically designed for dried out paws now
on the market.

4. There are a number of products on the market which can make it easier for your pet to walk on slippery surfaces. Non-slip dog socks are an idea solution; they provide traction to
prevent slipping and ideal for older dogs who suffer from arthritis or hip dysplasia. If your dog will not keep socks on then there are self adhesive traction pads which can be
stuck directly onto your dogs paws.

5. Adding carpet runners or rugs to areas where your dogs spend a lot of time could be another solution; however please make sure rugs and runners are secured properly to avoid an
entirely new form of slipping!

Which Flooring do I choose ?

Flooring not only takes the brunt of our everyday activities they are also the starting place of our interior scheme; flooring can dictate the entire decor of a room. There is a lot of pressure to find the right flooring for your house this coupled with the vast amount of choice on the market can make it a minefield. Below we have listed some pros and cons of different flooring types.

Hardwood Flooring: Easy to maintain, long lasting, adds value to property — Noisy, expensive, prone to water damage, needs refinishing periodically, slippery

Carpet Flooring: Warm, non-slip, absorbs noise, soft, lots of design options — High level of maintenance (especially with pets), susceptible to allergens (dust mites, pet dander), prone to wear and tear

Bamboo Flooring: Durable, more affordable than hardwood, very sustainable product — Scratches easily, prone to water damage

Cork Flooring: Soft and warm underfoot, absorbs sound, very sustainable product — Discolours when exposed to sunlight, absorbs water, can be indented by heavy furniture

Laminate Flooring: Easy to install, affordable, easy to maintain, snap together — Slippery, short life, susceptible to water

Stone: East to maintain, long lasting, extremely durable, doesn’t date — Cold and Hard, unforgiving, slippery (especially when wet)

Vinyl: Affordable, good choice of designs, easy to install and clean — Colour fades in sunlight, made from non renewable materials, water spills can cause mildew

Floors for Paws – Pros

  • 25 year domestic warranty
  • 15 year commercial warranty
  • Exclusive scratch resistant double wear layer
  • Factory finished (no polish needed after installation)
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Free of harmful phthalate plasticizers: DOP, BBP, DBP, DnOP, DINP, DIDP
  • Deep grain anti-slip texture
  • Affordable
  • Child and Dog Friendly
  • 10% of every sale donated to the Dogs Trust

Cons

  • You may not stop at one room!