Older dogs slip. Hard floors, a bit of hind-leg weakness and a coffee table taken at speed is how a great many senior dogs pick up strains, and the days after surgery or an injury are exactly when the licking starts. Knitted sleeves address both problems at once, adding gentle, even compression over a joint and putting a layer between a healing patch of skin and a determined tongue.

The set covers all four legs, knitted from a stretchy, breathable fabric that stays where you put it through a normal stride rather than bunching up at the hock. Even compression is the useful part, giving a weak or ageing joint a little more feedback about where it is in space, helping with swelling, and covering hot-spots, grazes and post-operative areas without the misery of a plastic cone. They wash and go straight back on.

• Set of four sleeves, one per leg
• Knitted, elasticated, breathable fabric
• Fits over the hock, knee or lower leg
• Three sizes: S, M and L
• Stripe colours including blue, orange, yellow and fluorescent green
• Washable and reusable

These are support, not treatment. A compression sleeve does not fix a cruciate tear, arthritis or a luxating patella, and a dog who is limping needs a vet rather than a sock. Watch the fit closely for the first hour, because anything tight enough to leave a mark or make a paw feel cool has to come off.

Who it's for: Owners of senior or recovering dogs who want a little support and a barrier against licking, alongside proper veterinary care.