Elderly dog unhappy with bedding

Hi all,

My staffy is getting on a bit now (14 years) however you often wouldn't know it as she still enjoys a good walk and playing with a ball. As a youngster she had the run of the house and slept under the covers on a bed each night. Now shes older, snores considerably louder, increasingly wees inside and struggles getting up onto the bed/ upstairs she spends the majority of her day in her basket in the kitchen.

She seems to be getting increasingly stressed out and unhappy that she cant get comfy in her basket, often crying loudly as she pulls and pushes at anything she is on top of. She currently sleeps on old duvets however we have tried large cushions, plastic bed with blankets, sheepskin rug, memory foam etc. none of which seem to help.

She doesn't appear to have any pain when moving her joints, however, im starting to believe that it may not be the type of bedding that is uncomfortable but that she is uncomfortable in general. We're planning a visit to the vets this Saturday but any advice from members would be most welcome.

Thanks, Darryl

Hi Daryl, welcome to the forum from Flo and me.

It does sound more like she's uncomfortable and being an older girl I guess she will have aches and pains that she can't tell you about. You've tried the obvious things and beyond with the likes of memory foam etc so I think a vet trip is probably the next thing to do.

Hopefully they will identify what's up and at least give something to relieve whatever it is. Do let us know what the vet says.

Hi from us too!

I agree, general discomfort might well be the issue. Even if the vet can't pinpoint the exact cause - and at her age you won't want to be doing invasive tests - you might want to ask for some general painkiller to see if it makes a difference, using it as a diagnostic tool. If it works, then wonderful and you've helped her. If it doesn't then you can cross it off the list.

How is she on other surfaces? Sofa (if she's allowed on)?

I agree with the vet being the best course of action let us know how she gets on . Aww its great dhes 14 too