Keeping Your Pet Comfortable at Home

Caring for a sick or aging pet happens mostly at home, in the ordinary parts of the day: getting up off the floor, eating breakfast, making it to the litter box, settling down for the night. When those things get harder, there is usually a lot you can do to make them easier.

Veterinarians call this palliative care, or comfort care. The goal is to keep your pet comfortable and enjoying their days, rather than to cure the illness. It can go hand in hand with treatment, and it can carry a pet through weeks or even months at home.

It also gives families time. In our short video “Am I being selfish for wanting more time?”, one of the questions we encourage families to ask themselves is this: can I keep my pet comfortable while I take the time that I need? This article is about the practical side of that question.

Everything here comes from what our veterinarians suggest to families in their own homes. Not every idea will suit every pet. As with most of these suggestions, you have to try them to see what works for your pet. And because we don’t prescribe medications, anything involving medication is a conversation to have with your regular veterinarian, who knows your pet’s history.

We’ll start with one of the most common struggles we see: getting around.

For a pet with weak legs or sore joints, a bare floor can feel like ice. Slipping wastes energy a weak pet doesn’t have to spare, and it can end in a fall. Good footing is often the first and easiest thing to fix.

Things to consider:

• Cover slippery floors – Rugs, runners or yoga mats along the paths your pet uses most, like from their bed to the water bowl and the door.
• Improve their grip – Keep their nails short and the fur between their paw pads trimmed. Rubber toe grips, booties or Musher’s wax (a protective paw wax) can add traction.
• Help them stand – If they’ll let you, help them up. Getting up can take a lot of a weak pet’s energy, and helping them saves that energy for other kinds of movement.
• Use a harness or sling – A lifting harness, or a towel under the belly for weak back legs, makes helping easier. Leaving the harness on also gives you something to grab if they start to fall, so you can lower them gently instead of them wiping out.
• Block the stairs – A baby gate keeps a wobbly pet off the stairs, and ramps or pet steps can help them onto the couch or into the car. For pets whose eyesight is starting to go, stick-on puck lights along the stairs help them see each step.
• Clear the ice and snow – In a Wisconsin winter, keeping sidewalks and steps clear makes every trip outside safer.

Cats need easier paths too. If your cat still loves a high spot like a windowsill, a sturdy chair or box partway up turns one big jump into two smaller ones. Many cats also do best with their own space, with food, water and a litter box close together and as little distraction as possible. Sometimes that means a room the dog can’t get into.

If your pet is struggling to get around, it’s also worth talking with your regular veterinarian about whether pain is part of the problem. They may suggest a trial of pain medication, or other support like acupuncture, massage or chiropractic care.

Once your pet has made it to where they want to be, the next step is making sure they can rest there comfortably.

A sick or aging pet spends much of the day lying down, so where they lie matters. A thick orthopedic or memory foam bed supports sore joints better than a thin cushion or the floor, and a low or flat edge makes it easier to step onto.

Temperature matters too. Some pets love warmth, and cats in particular tend to like heated beds. Others run hot, and some dogs will avoid a perfectly good bed simply because it’s too warm. Go by what your pet seems to prefer, whether that’s warmth or a cool spot. If you use a heated bed or pad, keep it on a low setting and make sure your pet can move off it, since a pet who can’t get up can’t get away from the heat.

If your pet has always slept with you, they may still want to. Pet stairs or a ramp up to your bed can make that possible, or you can help them up yourself.

Pets who can’t get up on their own need extra care. Lying in one position puts pressure on the bony spots, and over time that can cause pressure sores. Help them change position every few hours, and check their hips, elbows and shoulders for redness, hair loss or broken skin. If you find any, it’s worth showing your veterinarian.

Rest is only part of the day, though. For many families, the bigger worry is food.

A pet who won’t eat is one of the hardest things for families to watch. Sometimes it’s the illness itself, sometimes it’s nausea, and sometimes it’s something simpler, like a sore mouth.

Things to consider:

• Warm it up – Warming food makes it smell stronger, which can tempt a pet with a poor appetite.
• Offer it by hand – Some pets will eat from your hand when they won’t eat from a bowl.
• Add a topper – A little plain, low-sodium broth or another topper can make a meal more appealing. Check that it doesn’t contain onion or garlic, which aren’t safe for pets.
• Feed smaller meals, more often – Small meals through the day can be easier than two big ones, and a raised bowl helps a pet who struggles to bend down.

Many older pets have painful dental disease, and some stop eating kibble because chewing hurts. Canned food can help. You can also soften kibble by soaking it in a little water for about an hour before feeding, although some pets are particular about texture and won’t eat it that way.

If nausea seems to be the problem, a bland diet can help settle their stomach. Bland diets aren’t balanced for long-term nutrition, so talk with your veterinarian, or a veterinary nutritionist, about how to use one. Your veterinarian can also tell you whether an appetite stimulant or anti-nausea medication might help.

Cats rely heavily on smell to decide whether to eat, so a stuffy nose can put them off their food. If your cat is congested, try a room with a humidifier, or the bathroom with the shower running, for a little while before a meal. The steam can help loosen the congestion so they can smell their food again.

Two things are worth keeping an eye on. If your pet will only eat when you feed them by hand, that can be a sign they’re declining, and it’s worth a conversation with your regular veterinarian. And cats need particular care here. When a cat stops eating, especially an overweight cat, serious liver problems can start within just a few days¹. If your cat hasn’t eaten in two or three days, please talk with your veterinarian right away.

Water matters just as much as food, and it’s often easier to fix.

For a pet who struggles to get around, even the walk to the water bowl can be a lot. A few small changes can help them drink more.

Things to consider:

• Put water closer – Add extra bowls near where they rest, so they don’t have to go far.
• Keep it fresh – Some pets are very picky about their water, so change it often.
• Try a fountain – Many cats, and some dogs, prefer moving water.
• Try a different temperature – Some pets prefer their water warmer or cooler, and for a pet with sore teeth, the temperature can make a difference.
• Add water to their food – Canned food, a little water or plain broth mixed into meals, or ice cubes all add water to their day.

If your pet still isn’t getting enough, your regular veterinarian may suggest giving fluids under the skin at home. It’s common for pets with kidney disease, and your veterinary team can show you how.

As a pet’s body weakens, keeping them clean often becomes one of the biggest jobs families take on.

Accidents become more common as pets get weaker or sicker. The goal is to keep their skin clean and dry, and to make cleanup easier on you.

Things to consider:

• Layer their bedding – Puppy pads or waterproof pads under washable bedding let you swap out a soiled layer without changing everything.
• Be careful with diapers – Diapers and belly bands are understandable, but if they aren’t changed often enough, they can cause urine scald (irritated, burned skin) or urinary tract infections.
• Keep the back end trimmed – Dogs with weak back legs can struggle to hold the right posture to poop, so keeping the fur around their back end short means less mess.

For cats, the litter box itself can become the problem. A painter’s tray can work as a litter box for a cat who struggles to climb into a regular one. You want at least one low side they can walk in from, while higher sides elsewhere help keep the litter in. A puppy pad or other waterproof layer underneath catches what misses. Skip deep litter, too, since it’s an unstable surface for unsteady legs.

Cats who are sick or sore often stop grooming themselves. Gentle brushing, and wiping them down with a damp cloth, can help keep them clean. In cats and dogs alike, deal with mats sooner rather than later, because they can get bad very quickly. Keeping their coat shorter can help, but it’s worth weighing against how stressful grooming is for your pet.

Sometimes the problem isn’t a mess, but a spot your pet won’t leave alone.

Sick and aging pets sometimes have wounds, sores or growths that they lick at, and constant licking can keep a spot from healing. A soft or inflatable cone, or a recovery suit, can protect the area, and a soft cone is usually easier on a weak pet than a hard plastic one. Keep the area clean and dry, and check with your veterinarian before putting any cream or ointment on it, since some products aren’t safe if they’re licked off.

A cone protects the spot, but it doesn’t take away the urge to lick. That urge usually has a cause, like pain, itchiness or anxiety, and treating the cause is what brings relief. Licking one spot over and over, like a joint or a paw, can be a sign of pain, so it’s worth discussing with your veterinarian. If you use a body suit, check that your pet isn’t still licking the area through it, because a wet suit traps moisture against the skin.

Some of the most frightening moments for families involve breathing.

Watching a pet struggle for breath is hard. Breathing trouble always deserves a conversation with your veterinarian, but there are things you can do at home to help your pet feel more at ease.

Things to consider:

• Keep them cool and calm – Heat and excitement make breathing harder, so a cool, quiet room out of the sun helps.
• Try a fan – A fan pointed toward their face, or one they can lie in front of if they choose, can help. More on this below.
• Add some steam – For a pet with a congested nose, a humidifier or a few minutes in a steamy bathroom can help.
• Use a harness, not a collar – A harness keeps pressure off the neck and throat.
• Count their breaths – While your pet is asleep, count how many breaths they take in a minute, and write it down. Tracking this over time gives your veterinarian useful information.

A fan may sound too simple to help, but studies in people with serious illness have found that air moving across the face eases breathlessness^2,​3. Nobody has studied this in pets, but we’ve seen it help our own animals.

Labored breathing while your pet is resting is one of the signs that comfort care may not be enough anymore, which we’ll come back to below. And a cat breathing with its mouth open, or any pet whose gums look pale, gray or blue, needs a veterinarian right away.

Breathing trouble, pain and anxiety often show up most at night.

A pet who paces, pants or cries at night may be in pain, anxious, confused or needing to go out, and it can be hard to tell which. When nobody in the house is sleeping, everyone suffers, including your pet.

Things to consider:

• Leave a light on – A night light helps pets whose eyesight is fading, or who seem confused at night.
• Stay close – Some pets settle better with a family member sleeping nearby.
• Move the last trip out later – A later last trip outside can mean fewer wake-ups.
• Keep a calm routine – A quiet, predictable evening helps many pets settle.

Restlessness can come from pain, anxiety or dementia, and your regular veterinarian may be able to adjust or add medication for any of them. Panting while resting can be a sign of pain, breathing trouble or anxiety, and it’s worth discussing with your veterinarian.

For many pets, medication is a big part of comfort care, and giving it isn’t always easy.

Please check with your regular veterinarian before giving your pet any medication, including anything from your own medicine cabinet. Some human medications are toxic to dogs and cats. Common pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen can be dangerous for pets, and acetaminophen is especially dangerous for cats.

Once you have a plan from your veterinarian, a few things can make giving medications easier.

Things to consider:

• Keep track – A written chart of what was given and when helps, especially when several people share the job. Our free app, Hospet, can track medications and send you reminders.
• Ask about easier forms – Some medications come as liquids, as flavored versions made by a compounding pharmacy, or, for some cats, as gels that go on the skin. Your veterinarian may also be able to simplify the schedule.
• Experiment with pill treats – Pill pockets and other treats come in different flavors and textures, and your pet may like one far more than another.
• Use the treat trick – Show your pet several pieces of the food you’re using, give them the piece with the pill first, then quickly follow with the rest. Wanting the next piece encourages them to eat the first one fast.
• Give it before meals – Give medications just before a meal rather than after, so hunger works in your favor, unless your veterinarian says a medication needs to be given with a full meal.

It’s also fair to weigh how hard the medication itself is on your pet. For a short course, like an antibiotic, a few stressful days may be worth it. For a long-term treatment, the stress of giving it every day becomes part of your pet’s quality of life too, and it’s worth talking with your veterinarian about whether to continue.

As pets age, their senses often fade too, and that changes how they get around.

Many older pets lose some of their sight or hearing, and a few small changes can help them stay safe and confident at home.

Things to consider:

• Keep furniture in place – Pets who can’t see well find their way from memory, so try not to rearrange, and block off hazards like stairs.
• Let them know you’re coming – Approach so they can see or feel you coming, with heavier footsteps or a gentle touch, so you don’t startle them.
• Use scents and textures – A rug at a doorway, or a familiar scent near the food and water, can act as a landmark.
• Use hand signals – For pets who can’t hear, simple hand signals can take the place of words, and flicking the porch light can call a deaf dog in from the yard.

The night lights and stair lights we mentioned above help here too. And there can even be an upside: for a pet who was always frightened of thunderstorms or fireworks, losing their hearing can sometimes make life more peaceful.

A slowing body and fading senses don’t mean your pet’s world has to shrink.

Comfort isn’t only about the body. The routines and small pleasures that make up your pet’s day matter too.

Keep up their routines where you can, but let your pet lead how long and how hard. The exception is the dog who never wants to quit, who may need you to rein them in. If a walk is too far, a wagon or stroller can still get them outside, and short outings or car rides can be a treat. You can also bring their favorite spots to them: carry your cat to the sunny window, or move your dog’s bed into the room where the family spends the evening.

As the body slows down, the brain often needs more to do, not less. Puzzle toys, a scavenger hunt for treats around the house, or a bird feeder outside a cat’s favorite window can keep them engaged. Tricks they already know can often be adapted to what their body can still do. New places bring new smells, sights and sounds, though some pets enjoy that more than others.

Let your pet decide how much company they want, too. Some want to be with you constantly, and others want a quiet spot of their own. What’s worth noticing is a change, like a social pet who starts hiding.

That kind of change is one of the signs that comfort care may be reaching its limits.

Comfort care can give a pet good days for a long time. But for most pets, there comes a point where, even with everything you’re doing, they aren’t comfortable anymore. When we ask whether you can keep your pet comfortable while you take the time you need, sometimes the answer is, unfortunately, no.

Signs to watch for:

• Pain that isn’t controlled – They still seem to hurt, even with the medications your veterinarian can offer.
• Can’t get up, even with help – They can no longer stand to eat, drink or relieve themselves.
• Labored breathing at rest – They struggle to breathe even while lying still.
• More bad days than good – The hard days have started to outnumber the good ones.
• Pulling away – They isolate themselves or hide, especially if that isn’t like them.
• Big changes in eating or drinking – They eat or drink much less, or much more, than they used to.
• Changes in personality – Their mood or attitude has changed in a way that worries you.
• Losing their signature traits – The things that make them who they are have faded, like the dog or cat who always met you at the door and doesn’t anymore.
• Losing interest – They no longer enjoy their favorite activities.

Keeping track of good days and bad days, in Hospet or on a simple notepad, makes these changes easier to see. A quality of life assessment can help you measure them; our article on tracking your pet’s quality of life explains how, and our short video “A free tool for tracking your pet’s quality of life” shows how Hospet does it.

If you’re starting to see these signs, our article on the euthanasia window explains why there’s no single perfect moment, and how to think about timing.

You don’t have to figure all of this out alone.

If you’d like help putting a comfort plan together, our veterinarians offer an in-home quality of life consultation. It’s a full, unrushed hour in your home, where we can see how your pet really moves, rests and engages with your family, since pets often hide pain at a clinic. You’ll leave with comfort care ideas, signs to watch for and clear next steps. We don’t prescribe medications, but we can send our report to your regular veterinarian, who can. And you can call or text us anytime as things change.

Caring for a sick or aging pet at home is a lot of work, and much of it happens in small moments: a rug on the kitchen floor, a pill hidden in a treat, a fan by their bed. Those small things can make a real difference in how your pet feels.

Try what makes sense for your pet, let go of what doesn’t, and lean on your veterinary team. And please be gentle with yourself. If caring for your pet is wearing you down, our article on anticipatory grief talks about the exhaustion so many caregivers feel.

→ Tracking Your Pet’s Quality of Life: Why It Matters and How to Do It
Practical frameworks to objectively measure your pet’s comfort, happiness, and wellbeing over time.

→ Recognizing Pain in Cats & Dogs
Learn the subtle signs of discomfort that pets often hide, and how to tell if your pet is suffering.

→ The Euthanasia Window: Understanding When It’s Time
Why there’s no single “perfect moment,” and how to think about timing as a window rather than a moment.

1. Munguia, C. (2023, March 3). Hepatic lipidosis: A serious problem when cats stop eating. University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. https://vetmed.illinois.edu/pet-health-columns/hepatic-lipidosis-when-cats-dont-eat/
2. Galbraith, S., Fagan, P., Perkins, P., Lynch, A., & Booth, S. (2010). Does the use of a handheld fan improve chronic dyspnea? A randomized, controlled, crossover trial. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 39(5), 831-838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2009.09.024
3. Swan, F., Newey, A., Bland, M., Allgar, V., Booth, S., Bausewein, C., Yorke, J., & Johnson, M. (2019). Airflow relieves chronic breathlessness in people with advanced disease: An exploratory systematic review and meta-analyses. Palliative Medicine, 33(6), 618-633. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216319835393