6 Tips to Take Care of Your Aging Dog
A dog is a member of the family, and as such, you want to make sure that you’re taking good care of them. In fact, 69 million US households own at least one pet.
You might think that because your dog is older, he or she doesn’t need as much attention as when they were a puppy – but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Our pets age differently than humans do, and we need to be aware of how their bodies are changing so we can properly care for them through all stages of their lives.
Below are some tips on how to take care of your aging dog so it can live a long, happy life with you:
Supervise Your Aging Dog Closely
As your dog ages, it may become more difficult for them to move around freely without supervision. You should always be with your aging dog when they’re outside, and if at all possible, take them on walks at a slower pace than they used to enjoy.
If you can’t walk with them yourself because of physical limitations or if you have more than one dog, it’s best not to leave your aging pet outside alone; instead, bring him inside and consider supplementing his exercise with some indoor games like fetch or hide-and-seek.
While dogs can live up to 20 years old or more in good health conditions, many owners have found it beneficial to take their older animals on regular vet visits throughout their lifetime—especially as their health declines later in life—to ensure that any potential issues are caught early and treated properly before serious problems develop further down the line.
This will also give you an opportunity for routine checkups about things like vaccinationsor heartworm prevention medications so that there are no surprises when it comes time for these annual appointments.
Consider Supplements
As your dog ages, he may face a range of health problems associated with aging. Arthritis is common in older dogs, as are digestive issues that can result from a change in diet and lifestyle.
To help keep your dog comfortable and healthy, it’s worth considering supplements to ease joint pain and reduce inflammation, and in this regard, one of the most trusted sources is PetCareRx. Yet, if you want more information about how supplements might help your pooch live longer, consult with your vet and ask them which ones they recommend for this particular breed of dog.
When choosing what kind of supplement is best for your pooch’s needs, consider cost as well as efficacy; if one type of supplement works better than another but costs twice as much per ounce or pill (or whatever form it comes in), then it might not be worth the extra cost for your budget or peace of mind!
Switch to a Senior Food Formula
Here’s a list of every detail you need in regards to the SFF (Senior Food Formula) –
- Senior food is made specifically for older dogs and their needs.
- Avoid table scraps
- Table scraps can be bad for your dog’s health, especially if they are overweight and have digestive problems.
- Table scraps can also cause bad breath, which will make your dog less likely to get attention from new friends or dates.
Pay Attention to Grooming
If your dog is over 7 years old, you’ll need to clean his/her ears more often. This is because older dogs are less able to fight off infections in their ears and can develop a buildup of wax that needs extra care. You can either do this at home or take her to the vet clinic for regular ear cleaning.
When it comes to dental health, brushing your dog’s teeth daily is important, no matter how old they are. Brushing will prevent gum disease and tooth decay by removing tartar (calculus) deposits on their teeth that cause bad breath as well as damage to their gums, which could lead to infection and even loss of teeth if left untreated for too long.
Let the Pet Do Some Low-Intensity Exercises
Your dog needs daily low-intensity exercise in order to stay healthy. Low-intensity exercise means walking at a human pace or playing games that don’t increase your dog’s heart rate. This helps keep muscles large and strong, which in turn protects against the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.
Low-intensity exercise also helps keep your dog’s weight under control, reducing the risk of back problems for overweight dogs. It can also help maintain a healthy ratio of muscle to fat as they get older. Your vet can tell you whether or not your dog is at an ideal weight for their breed, but here are some general guidelines:
- For small dogs less than 25 pounds: no more than 10 percent body fat
- For medium dogs between 25 and 50 pounds: no more than 15 percent body fat
- For larger dogs over 50 pounds: no more than 20 percent body fat
Check for Lumps
The best way to keep track of your dog’s health is to regularly check for lumps or other changes in its body. This includes checking for lumps or other changes in the skin, mouth, ears, and abdomen.
If you find a lump or other abnormal area on your dog’s body, contact your veterinarian. If the lump appears to be growing rapidly or if it feels firm with a hard center, then it could be cancerous and should be removed as soon as possible so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.
Wrapping Up
It is important to remember that as your dog ages, it will need more care than it did when they were younger. But with the right approach, you can help make sure that your aging canine companion lives comfortably into old age.
