Interesting article over on I Love Dogs, the site dedicated to helping feed shelter dogs through the sale of good quality jewellery etc, regarding caring for your older dogs(s).
Our older dog Teo is starting to show his age so that is what drew my attention to the article.
- Beds: extra beds, extra blankets, the softer the better as they going to spend more time asleep
- Help with stairs: be aware of the toil stairs and ramps will take on their aged limbs!
- Diet: Older dogs need different amounts of certain nutrients than young dogs and puppies, and they need less of others. Work with your veterinarian to decide which diet is best for your senior dog. You might not need to change your dog’s food, but you’ll likely change the amount and any supplements you’re giving them. At this age, proper dental health is vital, as your senior may already be suffering silently from periodontal disease.
- Keep Active: keep them moving at their pace for as long as they want to
- Extra Comfort: As our dogs age and their bodies change, these changes will bring about more sensitivity. Your dog will be more susceptible to hot and cold weather, so make sure you’re able to keep them cool during summer and warm during winter. Fans will help with heat while coats will help with cold.
- Aid Mobility: Keeping your dog active will help maintain their mobility throughout their old age. This keeps their muscles and joints used to moving and prevents atrophy and muscle fatigue. Supplements might also be recommended by your veterinarian to help with any pain your pup might be experiencing.
- More Vet Visits: switch to regular check-ups more often if your veterinarian recommends it, as certain ailments such as cancers and organ diseases should be detected as early as possible.
- Weight Control: In the same way your dog will need different nutrients in their senior years, they’re going to need different amounts of calories as well. Weight change is very common in senior dogs. They are either getting too many nutrients and calories and become overweight or are struggling to maintain a healthy weight because their muscles are weakening and they are becoming thinner. Work with your veterinarian to make sure your dog maintains the appropriate weight.
You can read the original article here