Paws and Reflect: Will Your Pet Trip You Up?

As much joy as our furry companions bring, their toys, bowls, and beds can pose unexpected risks, especially for older adults. A squeaky toy left on the floor or a water bowl that slides to a new location might seem harmless, but these everyday items can become serious tripping hazards.

Pets love to play, but their toys often end up in high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, or doorways.  While leashes and grooming tools often find their way onto the floor if not secured immediately after use.  Pet toys and accessories are often awkward shapes that easily cause a twisted ankle or a slide into the splits if you step on them accidently. 

Food and water bowls are typically placed on the floor, often near corners or doorways, making them easy to overlook as you hurry past.  And many of our animal friends are a bit messy around their bowls, leaving puddles and kibble bits that can send you flying if you walk through the mess unexpectedly.

Pet beds and mats can blend into flooring and find their way underfoot particularly at night or in the early morning when you may be groggy as you wake from your own peaceful slumber. 

And let's not forget about the possibility of tripping over your actual pets.  Many of our furry friends are quiet sleuths that walk about the house undetected or lounge in exactly those locations where they will cause the biggest disruption, like stairways and doorways.   

The good news is that you can take steps now to adjust your pet's lifestyle with little sacrifice and much to gain.  The first step will be to create pet zones in your home where your pet is most likely to play.  Designating storage areas in each location for your pet’s toys and accessories ideally storage will be off the floor, like a basket on a side table to keep toys contained.

Train your pet to play and lounge in low-risk areas of the house.  You don't want to trip on a pet toy while carrying a pan of boiling pasta to the sink or trip over your actual pet as you take laundry down the stairs, so avoid pet play in the kitchen and bathrooms and discourage pets from lounging on stairways or in doorways.  Be sure to put pet toys into their designated storage as soon as Fido loses interest so mess in minimized in play areas.  And consider having your pet where a bell or other noise maker on their collar so you always know when they are nearby. 

Use contrasting, non-slip mats under food and water bowls to prevent sliding and to catch food and water that spills over the bowl edge.  You may even want to consider raised bowls that are off the ground, so they are easier to see, and bowls with built in raise edge if your pet is a piggy. No matter what solution you choose, place food and water bowls out of main walkways. 

Choose high-contrast items for pet beds and consider having pets sleep in a different room so there is no chance to trip over your pet at night.  OK, OK, OK I know you love sleeping with your pet!  Just be sure to choose a pet bed with a contrasting color and place it out of the path to the bathroom so at least you can make that midnight run without worry.  And installing dawn to dusk nightlights in areas where pets are active will give you just a bit of light to help you see hazards at night. 



Your pet is part of your family and keeping both of you safe is the goal. With a few thoughtful adjustments, you can enjoy all the love and companionship your pet offers while reducing the risk of falls.

To start implementing solutions to your pet's messiest problems we have curated a list of the best.  For a leash hook we would recommend a simple🔗Command Large Matte Black Double Hooks, Damage Free Hanging Wall Hooks.  And the 🔗ELONG HOME Wicker Basket for Pet Toys are so cute they will make putting pet toys away a pleasure.

In the Kitchen you cannot beat the 🔗Neater Feeder Express Mess Proof Cat Bowls Elevated for Indoor Cats or 🔗Neater Feeder Deluxe Mess Proof Dog Bowls Elevated for Large Dogs if your pet is a messy eater.  Otherwise, the colorful 🔗Hoki Found -Waterproof Pet Feeding Mats with High Lips should do the trick.

For colorful and comfy pet beds, 🔗The Bedsure Store has a great selection.  You are sure to find one your pet will love.  And if you want to have advanced warning that your pet is around the corner, add this 🔗Extra Loud Collar Bells for Cats and Dogs  to your pet's collar.  Finally, don't forget the 🔗Smart Auto-Dimming Square LED Night Light which will give your space just enough light to prevent falls around your pets at night without lifting a finger.