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Your senior dog has given you many wonderful years of companionship. Don’t you owe it to him to make sure his later years are easy and comfortable? Make sure that your dog has the best senior dog care with our easy to implement tips.
How do you know if your dog is approaching his golden years? Different breeds of dogs mature at different rates but a good rule of thumb is the larger the dog, the faster they mature. Based on this if your dog is seven he is probably experiencing, or at least approaching, his senior years. When your dog hits this stage in his life it’s important that he receive the right amount of exercise, nutrition, and veterinary care.
Signs of an Aging Dog
How does your dog show the signs of age? A healthy senior dog will most likely have a decrease in energy level. He may nap more, or become tired more easily. Your senior dog may also be stiff after play or upon getting up after a rest. Of course, every senior dog is different and a lot depends on genetics and how active and in shape he is.
How do you know the difference between normal wear and tear and arthritis or an injury? If your dog loosens up after mild activity he’s probably just showing some signs of age. Dogs who seem to feel worse as the days go on should be seen by a vet to rule out other possibilities.
How To Provide Your Dog With The Best Senior Dog Care
1.Exercise
A good exercise regimen can help your pet avoid problems common in the senior dog such as weight gain and helps with arthritis. Exercise also improves digestion and circulation. Just make sure you don’t overdo it! A leisurely walk or two a day plus some low-key playing should do the trick. And always make sure that your dog stays well-hydrated.
2.Nutrition
As your dog ages, his dietary needs will change. Be sure to choose a food that is appropriate for you dog’s needs and conditions! As a general rule of thumb, a good senior dog food will have fewer calories, enough protein, and vitamins and minerals that help your dog’s coat and teeth stay strong and healthy.
Weight gain due to slowing metabolisms is a common problem with senior dogs. How do you know if your dog is overweight? Try this simple test. Put your hands on his backbone and feel for his ribcage. If you can’t feel it, chances are your dog needs to shed a few pounds. Since this is a common problem among older dogs there are a number of foods on the market with lower fat and calories.
3. Comfort
A senior dog can benefit from comfy sleeping quarters. There are several companies out there that make bedding for dogs designed to take the pressure off of aging and aching joints. These are often made of memory foam or eggshell foam, and have removable covers that can be machine washed in case your senior dog has an accident.
4. Extra Bathroom Breaks
As your dog gets older he may not be able to hold his bladder like he did when he was younger. This can be quite upsetting to him and cause stress if he has an accident in the house.
To prevent your dog from having accidents, make sure that your senior dog gets extra bathroom breaks during the day. If it gets to the point that he can’t control his bladder there are options for that. Doggie diapers can be purchased, with designs available for both male and female dogs. They are washable and reusable.
5. Dental Care
Dental care is something that should be done throughout your dog’s life but as your dog gets older it’s even more important to take care of his teeth. Keep his teeth clean by brushing them with a tartar reducing toothpaste made for dogs and giving him chew toys that can help to keep the tartar away.
Regularly check your dog’s mouth for broken or missing teeth. Some older dogs can lose a lot of teeth. By checking regularly you can keep an eye on this as his food may need to be adapted in order for him to eat. If your senior dog has a hard time eating hard kibble you may need to add water to it to make it softer for him so he can eat it.
6. Veterinary Care
Your dog will be experiencing lots of emotional and physical changes as he ages. Because of this, it is important to keep up on his health! In addition to his regular check-ups and shots, ask your vet about twice-annual geriatric screenings.
Give your senior dog the right care, and he’ll really enjoy his golden years!
