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Love the Paws. Avoid the Falls.

WakeMed Health & Hospitals Community Health & Wellness, Injury Prevention, Orthopaedics, Urgent Care/Emergency Department

There is no measuring the level of happiness and companionship that a pet can bring into a home. But with immense joy comes hidden dangers, particularly among seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), pets account for a significant percentage of falls among seniors age 65+.

Kristi Blankenship, RN, the WakeMed Trauma Coordinator for Cary Hospital says, “Now that the weather is nicer and seniors are able to get out of the house, we’ve seen an increase in falls among seniors related to their pets.”

Plus, pets are lower to the ground and may be harder to detect when walking around the house. Pets also love the aromas of the kitchen and can scurry underfoot when they smell something delicious coming out of the oven.

While a pretty kitty and paw-fect pooch make a wonderful addition to the family, it’s important to watch out for pet-related fall hazards. When bringing a new dog or cat into your home, consider the following to stay safe and reduce your risk for unintentional falls and injuries:

General Tips for Dogs and Cats

  • Keep dogs and cats out of your bedroom at night. It can be difficult to see or hear your sleeping pet at night, so train your pet to sleep in a separate space.
  • Purchase toys that are bright in color. This way, you’ll see them more easily and avoid tripping hazards.
  • Keep toys in containers, not on the floor. Pets are notorious for dragging their toys all across the house, so pick up after play sessions with your furry friend.
  • Keep water and food bowls as well as cat litters out of walkways. A set apart nook makes a great space and also helps to contain spills out of the areas where you walk.
  • Use tools to prevent bending or kneeling to pick up toys or poop. Reachers and grabbers are fantastic for keeping you upright while cleaning up after your pet.
  • Create a routine, so your pet knows what to expect, and you have an idea throughout the day where your pet will be. This will help keep you both safe, especially since most animals are creatures of habit.

Dog Walks

  • Know how your dog will behave on a walk. Prey-driven dogs may take off if they see a rabbit, squirrel or other animal of prey and may be oblivious to an owner’s commands. In this case, walk in an area that does not have additional dogs or wildlife.
  • Anchor a hands-free leash along your center of gravity. A dog that pulls on a handheld leash may cause you to lose your balance, so try the hands-free leash system. To do this technique properly, find your center of gravity, which is the area between your hips and abdomen. Holding the leash with both hands, place the hand that’s farthest from your dog against the small of your back. This is your center of gravity and wear you should place a body hold on the leash.
  • Use a double leash lock to control the dog’s movements. A strong-willed dog may require more guidance to understand who is in charge on a walk. This system requires two leashes, a collar and a harness. Take the back leash and attach it to your dog’s harness. Attach the front leash (used for correction) to your dog’s collar. This technique helps you control your dog when maneuvering your dog forward, backward, left or right.
  • Wear appropriate shoes when walking your dog. Sneakers with a rubber sole are best.
  • Enlist help from a younger family member to walk with and hold the leash, especially if the ground is slippery and wet after a rainfall.

Obedience Training

  • Invest in obedience classes. Your dog should know to immediately follow commands, such as sit, stay, come, down and wait. Obedience classes can help your dog know what you expect.
  • Train your cat to come. Cats can learn “come.” Simply think of a special call that you will use only before you open their food. Associating that sound with food will eventually help the cat learn to come whenever you make that call.
  • Train dogs to have manners on the stairs.
  • Train your dog or cat while seated, if possible.
  • Teach your pet not to jump. A jumping greeting from your dog you may feel welcoming to your heart, but it can lead to agonizing bruises and broken bones in a fall.
  • Use training equipment. Some useful items for dogs include a special training collar, attractant spray for potty training, easy carry treat pouches and dog bark deterrents. For cats, helpful equipment includes a clicker to mark desirable behaviors and a litter box that fits over the toilet. It can help a cat learn to eventually use the toilet and prevent the grueling and fall-inducing task of changing out litter.
  • Avoid chasing your pet. When you’re leaning forward and moving quickly, you increase your chances of seeing obstruction along the ground. You also make it more likely that you’ll lose your balance. Teach your pet the “come” command instead.

Tips to Stay on the Lookout

  • Make sure lighting is sufficient. In particular, in dark walkways both inside and outside the house, add a night light, so you can see your pet.
  • Attach a bell to your animal’s collar. This will help you know where your pet is at all times.
  • Don’t step over your pet. If your pet stands while you’re stepping over it or if you misjudge your pet’s width, you could slip and fall.
  • Be mindful of your pet’s potentially dangerous habits. One danger zone is pets that follow you closely while you prepare a meal.

Pets are intended to bring love and companionship, not falls and injuries. By following these tips, you can prevent hazardous falls before they happen.

Sources:

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/brandon-mcmillan-shares-ways-to-hold-a-dog-leash
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5811a1.htm

 

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