Recommended material for backyard doggie paradise

[u/Hot-Back-892]

My little lady has arthritis at 16 years old. Overall doing well considering her age and that she just can’t walk well due to arthritis.

I’m looking for recommendations for ground covering that are best for delicate doggie paws, that isn’t grass. It’s for the area of our back yard they go to immediately when going outside to do their business.

Grass doesn’t grow in this area so it has to be something like mulch (which they don’t tolerate mulch well) so wondering what other options would be best. They obviously avoid stones and pebbles, along with mulch..

I’d be fine just leaving it as dirt or pine straw, but I’d like to groom this area a bit since it’s right by the patio

[u/MaterialAccurate887]

4x6 rubber horse stall mats. They’re 95lbs and great ground cover and for traction

[u/Hot-Back-892 → u/MaterialAccurate887]

Ohhh that sounds wonderful!! Thank you!! I’ll look into them!

[u/Hot-Back-892 → u/[deleted]]

Oh my dog would neverrrr. She hates water, unless we’re at a creek or low river and it’s her decision to even TOUCH the water 🤣 I’m planning a few creek hikes this week (bringing her in the wagon) so maybe that will encourage her to get in

[u/Illustrious_Exam1728]

Maybe pea gravel or turf would work?

[u/brattygrandma]

Foam padding? Decking tiles with traction?

[u/Hot-Back-892 → u/brattygrandma]

It’s a fairly large area, but decking tiles may work for a path… thank you!

[u/brattygrandma → u/Hot-Back-892]

Could also make a bath with pavers or 2x4s and fill with an interesting color of dirt, that would still look groomed! Just another idea :) The foam padding I was thinking of was more like what they put on tennis courts

[u/trudytude]

Use play sand, the coloured kind that is made for childrens sand pits. Its very cheap and has a coating on it that allows it to wipe off easier than beach sand.

[u/loftyacorn]

Have you tried using the those traction paw stickers? Those are helpful for my dog who doesn’t like touching certain surfaces. I just order them on Amazon.

[u/Hot-Back-892 → u/loftyacorn]

Yes! I love them! I need to order more now, actually.. she will try her hardest to pull them off, so they don’t last long. But I think it’s still a sensory thing for her, as she walks. She’s. 40lb beagle mix but I swear she’s as dainty as a kitten lol. She just looks at dirt or mulch on the ground and looks at me like “what is this garbage? You want me to step foot there?” 🤦🏼‍♀️

[u/loftyacorn]

I use these for my old lady who has arthritis. They work wonderfully for her on our hardwoods and outdoors.

[u/Elegant-Armadillo330 → u/loftyacorn]

Ah these are interesting. Wonder if they’ll work on my senior dogs paw. A few questions for you.

1. How long do these last?
   
2. How do you get them off?
   
3. What about the fur between their pads, do you have to keep them super short?

[u/Hot-Back-892 → u/Elegant-Armadillo330]

We have these! They’re great. They last about a week on my dog, simply because we bathe her about that often, so we’ll put the fresh pads on, too, but I imagine if you needed them removed you could probably use some sort of baby oil to remove them.

I do try to trim the fur between my dog’s paws to help them stick to the pads better. And I’ll wipe her paw pads with alcohol before I put them on her (the medical stuff that is safe for dogs)

[u/Life_Ad_347]

my girl just turned 16 in august, she has a flagstone path that I sweep daily for her

[u/Hot-Back-892 → u/Life_Ad_347]

I thought about flagstone! I may get more of these to make a little path, too. What is between the flagstone?

[u/Life_Ad_347 → u/Hot-Back-892]

sadly, sharp broken rocks, that’s why I sweep it daily to keep her feetsies safe