FAQ – Helping Your Senior Dog Stay Steady, Calm, and Sharp
I’m starting to see changes in my senior dog. Where should I start?
As dogs age, it can be hard to tell what is “normal” and what needs attention, especially when you first notice slipping, confusion, or changes in sleep and mood.
If you are worried about your senior dog today, start with our Senior Dog Anxiety Hub to learn about early signs of anxiety, pain, and cognitive decline and what you can do now instead of waiting for the last one or two years.
- Visit Mobility & Traction to learn how to reduce slips and falls and see our Pawfriction™ mobility bundles.
- Visit Anxiety & Brain Health to understand cognitive decline and explore our Memory Care bundle with the Brain Bowl puzzle feeder.
- Talk to your veterinarian about any sudden changes, pain, or severe disorientation you’re seeing at home.
Anxiety & Brain Health
Is my senior dog anxious, confused, or both?
Senior dogs can show anxiety and confusion in similar ways, including pacing at night, restlessness, whining, staring at walls, getting stuck in corners, or suddenly becoming fearful of floors or stairs.
These behaviors may be related to anxiety, pain, sensory loss (vision or hearing), or canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), and it is important not to ignore them.
If you are noticing these changes:
- Visit our Senior Dog Anxiety Hub for checklists that help you track signs of anxiety and cognitive decline over time.
- Use our educational guides to understand what is urgent, what needs a veterinary exam, and what you can manage at home with environmental changes and support products.
- Ask your veterinarian about CCD and anxiety treatments, especially if symptoms appear suddenly or worsen quickly.
You can also explore our Memory Care bundle, which includes the Brain Bowl puzzle feeder and cognitive support supplements designed to help keep your dog’s mind engaged.
What is the Memory Care bundle and how can it help my dog?
The Memory Care bundle is built for senior dogs who are starting to show signs of cognitive decline, confusion, or anxiety and need more structured mental stimulation and brain support.
It typically includes the patented Brain Bowl puzzle feeder and complementary products that target cognitive health, such as nutritional brain support and calming aids.
The Memory Care bundle is designed to:
- Encourage problem-solving and engagement with the Brain Bowl to help maintain mental sharpness.
- Support brain health with targeted nutrients recommended for cognitive support.
- Pair with our Anxiety Hub resources so you can monitor changes in your dog over time.
Visit the Memory Care section of our shop to see what is included in the current bundle and how it fits into your dog’s daily routine.
When should I call my veterinarian about anxiety or cognitive changes?
You should contact your veterinarian promptly if your dog:
- Shows sudden, severe confusion or disorientation (getting lost in familiar places, not recognizing family members).
- Cries out in pain, has difficulty getting up, or refuses to walk, especially on surfaces they used to tolerate.
- Loses bladder or bowel control suddenly, has seizures, collapses, or stops eating.
Even mild changes should be discussed at your dog’s next visit, because early intervention can make a big difference in comfort and quality of life.
Our Anxiety Hub offers tools to document symptoms and bring a clear history to your veterinarian, and our bundles are designed to complement—not replace—professional care.
Mobility & Traction
My senior dog is slipping on the floor. Is Pawfriction™ right for us?
Slipping on hardwood, tile, or laminate is one of the earliest signs families notice in senior dogs and can be related to weaker muscles, arthritis, or anxiety about walking on slick surfaces.
Pawfriction™ is designed to give your dog better traction by adding a medical-grade, non-slip coating to their paw pads, helping them feel more stable and confident on smooth floors.
If your dog is slipping, we recommend:
- Using PawFriction for traction support.
- Adding non-slip runners or mats in high-traffic areas.
- Visiting the Mobility section of our Anxiety Hub for floor-planning ideas and when to talk to your vet about joint pain.
You can view our mobility bundles, which pair Pawfriction™ with joint support supplements and omega-3s, in the Mobility Shop section.
What is the difference between the small dog and large dog Pawfriction™ kits?
Pawfriction™ used to be a one-size-fits-all solution, but we now offer two kit sizes to better match your dog’s needs:
- Small Dog Kit: Optimized for smaller paws, with the right amount of traction material for small breeds.
- Large Dog Kit: Includes more pet-safe adhesive and granules to fully cover larger paws and provide longer-lasting traction, at a slightly higher price to reflect the extra material.
If you are unsure which to choose:
- Select the Small Dog kit for most dogs under your veterinarian’s recommended weight range for small breeds.
- Select the Large Dog kit for medium and large breed dogs or if you have been told your dog has large paws or significant mobility issues.
You can compare both options and choose the best kit for your dog on our Pawfriction™ product page.
How long does Pawfriction™ last and how often will I need to reapply it?
Most families find that a single application of PawFriction lasts several days to a couple of weeks, depending on how active their dog is, how often they walk on rough surfaces, and how quickly their nails and pads wear.
You can gently touch your dog’s paw pads to feel when the traction coating has worn down and reapply as needed to maintain a steady, non-slip surface.
If you are having issues with lasting time, we recommend cleaning the paw pads with soap and water before application to remove any dirt or debris.
For ongoing traction support in senior dogs, we recommend:
- Keeping a kit on hand and planning regular reapplications.
- Considering a subscription option or multi-pack so you don’t run out during a flare-up of anxiety or mobility issues.
See our Pawfriction™ and mobility bundle options in the shop for savings and convenient refills.
Will Pawfriction™ treat my dog’s arthritis or joint disease?
No, PawFriction does not treat arthritis or joint disease, and it is not a medication.
It is designed to improve traction and help reduce slipping and falls, which can support your dog’s overall comfort and confidence as part of a broader mobility plan.
For dogs with arthritis or joint disease, we recommend:
- Talking to your veterinarian about diagnosis, pain management, and treatment options.
- Using PawFriction in combination with joint supplements, omega-3 fatty acids, weight management, and home modifications like non-slip rugs and ramps.
You can explore our mobility bundles that pair Pawfriction™ with joint and inflammation support products in the Mobility section of our shop.
About Pawfriction™ and Safety
Is Pawfriction™ safe for my dog?
PawFriction uses a latex-free virgin rubber compound (free of any used rubber and certified heavy-metal free) and a medical-grade surgical adhesive. Once applied and dried, there would be no issues with toxicity.
Most dogs tolerate application well, and the coating is designed to stay on the pads rather than flake or spread around your home under normal use.
If your dog has a history of allergies or skin issues:
- Talk with your veterinarian before first use.
- Test PawFriction on a small area of one paw and monitor for any redness, licking, or irritation.
Full safety details and instructions are available on our PawFriction product page.
Does PawFriction interfere with paw pad sweating? How will my dog stay cool?
Paw pad sweating is not a mechanism for cooling; this was disproved many years ago. Paw pads sweat to help improve traction and that mechanism disappears as dogs age; it is one of the reasons senior dogs start slipping. PawFriction does not block this ability.
Applying Pawfriction™
How do I apply PawFriction correctly?
PawFriction is applied by trimming your dog’s nails if needed, cleaning and drying the paw pads, and then pressing the paws into the traction granules according to the instructions included with your kit.
Most families find that the process takes just a few minutes per paw once they are familiar with the steps.
For first-time users:
- Watch the step-by-step application guide in our Mobility section.
- Consider asking your veterinary team or groomer to demonstrate application if your dog is anxious about handling.
Detailed instructions and video tutorial links are included with every Pawfriction™ kit.
Home Environment & Floor Planning
How can I make my home safer for my anxious, unsteady senior dog?
A few simple changes can make a big difference in how secure your senior dog feels moving around the house.
Many dogs gain confidence when they have predictable, non-slip paths from resting areas to food, water, and the outdoors.
We recommend:
- Creating non-slip routes with rugs or runners in hallways, near food and water bowls, and at doorways.
- Using PawFriction to improve traction on your dog’s paws, especially in slippery areas you cannot cover.
- Providing well-lit, quiet resting spots away from stairs and high-traffic zones.
You can learn more in the Safe Home Environment section of our Anxiety Hub and view our mobility bundles in the shop for products that support safer movement and calmer daily routines.
Next Steps
If you still have questions or feel unsure where to begin:
- Start with the Senior Dog Anxiety Hub to understand your dog’s behaviors and risks.
- Explore our Mobility and Memory Care bundles to see which combination of tools best matches what you’re seeing in your dog today.
- Share what you learn from our guides and your own observations with your veterinarian so you can work together on a long-term plan for your senior dog’s comfort and longevity.