There will come a time when
your dog
turns
into an older dog, also known as a senior dog. When you may not
realize it, having a senior dog requires different
care
and maintenance than younger dogs. Using the aging process there are
invariable ups and downs. You're going to get the luxury of spending much less
time worried about their behavior
and
how to change it and far more time
concerned
about their health.
In order to make sure that your senior dog
has been properly cared for, you need to
make
sure you are knowledgeable on their needs. Listed
here are five tips
to help you better take care of your senior
dog.
Arthritis
Arthritis and joint pain can often be managed with
an appropriate
exercise
regime including gentle walking and swimming, if at all possible, to
help maintain mobility.
High
quality dog supplements can also provide relief with no toxicity and
side effects of
prescription
medication. Choosing a Quality Dog Bed is essential and if your pet is
in need, and orthopedic dog bed
is
always a wise choice. A dog's bed provides comfort and allows your dog
to get the rest that they need to attend their best.
Exercise for Senior
Dogs
Exercise
is another aspect of preventive geriatric take care of your dog. You
should definitely keep your dog going because he gets older-if he is cooped up
or kept laying, his body will deteriorate
much
more quickly. Jogging with your arthritic dog might not be
appropriate, but swimming along with other low-impact activities are great for
dogs with pain and arthritis. Keeping your dog active physically and mentally
helps your dog stay in good shape. Of course, dogs should wear a reliable Dog
Collar and Leash whenever outside, and Dog ID Tags
are
a must for any canine's safety.
Preventive
Measures Nutrition
Many older pets
benefit
from a higher fiber, reduced calorie diet.
As
mentioned above, obesity is often the result of reduced exercise and
overfeeding; and it is a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Because older pets usually have different nutritional requirements, it’s
a
good idea to check with your vet about switching to some high quality,
age appropriate diet. Many senior dogs take advantage of simple things like a
small amount of plain yogurt put into the diet to keep the healthy flora within
the intestinal tract in balance.
A
high quality fish oil is also a great addition towards the diet and
helps to keep your senior dog’s skin and coat healthy and
supple.
Dental
Care
Older dogs tend to make more dental tartar and become
vulnerable to more severe
dental disease compared
to what they did in their youth. Maintaining your pet’s mouth healthy
can prevent spread of dental infections for the internal organs of the body.
Most dogs want more frequent cleanings and more aggressive homecare to keep
their mouths healthy
within
their golden years. The same dog that familiar with eat your shoes
might
not be as into chew toys and treats just like a senior.
Hearing
and Vision Changes
Dogs
excel
at adapting to slow changes, so
loss
of vision or hearing can be difficult to detect in the early stages.
Dogs with
hearing
problems tend to bark more and respond poorly to commands.
They
may be astute at picking up smells and vibrations
same
goes with often react to refrigerators or
garage
doors opening even when they can’t hear them. Dogs with vision loss
tend to bump into things, are tentative at
going
into new or dark areas, and may have behavior changes. Bring
these
problems to your veterinarian’s attention as the underlying condition
can usually be treated.
