Protect your pet and your stairs by covering the treads

Many homeowners consider their dog or cat an important member of the family -their furry friends are the equivalent of children, and maintaining their quality of life is of the utmost importance.

The stairs are one area of the home that give pets a particularly tough time depending on their size and age. Some breeds of dog, for example, are extremely prone to arthritis or hip dysplasia, which makes traveling between floors particularly challenging.

If a dog already has trouble climbing up the stairs, coming down isjust as challenging and may actually put your pet at risk of taking a tumble. A slick set of hardwood steps could be daunting for a dog who already has trouble getting his bearings.

On top of being a health hazard for your dog, the treads of your stairs themselvescan be extremely prone to damage if they aren't protected against the sharp nails of dogs' paws.

Consider placing carpeting on your stairs that will not only provide protection to the structure,but also support your dog as he follows you around the house. You want to be sure that you give your canine thick enough flooring to plant their feet into, so that even when they get excited and run up the stairs, they won't slip and fall.

You can either employ a runner to shield your treads or individual tread pads that you can attach to your stairs and remove with ease.

Be sure that when choosing pads or a runner for your stairs, you use a color that won't be prone to stains, as dogs can often track dirt and debris from playtime into your home.