Senior dogs have specific needs, and your pooch requires a little more TLC as it ages. Regular vet visits, a nutritious diet, and mental and physical exercise are key aspects of maintaining your senior dog's health. Do your best to keep your pal comfy and cozy, especially if it experiences mobility issues, hearing or vision loss, or sensitivity to heat and cold. By providing companionship, along with routine veterinary care,
you can help ensure your pet lives a happy, healthy life well into its golden years.
1. Take your dog to the vet twice a year. Routine vet visits are vital to senior pet care, so schedule check-ups for your pooch every 6 months. Regular exams can help you and the vet catch any issues as early as possible.
Try to develop a strong relationship with your dog’s vet. From diet to exercise, your pet may have lots of special needs, so ask the vet for advice.
Additionally, if you have a good working relationship with the vet, it’s more likely that you can call the office if you have a minor concern instead of having to pay for an appointment.
2. Feed your dog a well-balanced, low-fat diet. Go with a commercial dog food labeled for senior dogs. Check the label and consult the vet about the best daily amount to feed your dog. Obesity is a major health concern in senior dogs, so monitor your pet’s diet and work with the vet to help your pet maintain a healthy weight.
Feed your dog smaller meals several times a day. Feeding it specific amounts of food instead of free feeding will help you control its weight, and smaller meals are easier on its digestive system.
Even if your pal gives you its most convincing sad eyes, resist the urge to give it table scraps
Tip: If you just can’t say no when your dog begs, offer dog-safe fresh or steamed fruits and veggies. Healthy options include apples, watermelon, pumpkin, bananas, and carrots. Be sure to remove seeds and rinds, and steer clear of toxic produce, such as grapes, avocado, onions, and mushrooms.
3. Give your dog a moderate amount of exercise. Maintain a regular exercise routine, but obey your best bud’s limits. For instance, instead of 1 to 2 long walks, go on multiple 5 to 10-minute walks per day.
Exercise is important to control weight and promote healthy muscles, bones, and joints. However, arthritis, heart disease, and lung issues are common in senior dogs, so ask the vet for tips about giving your dog the right amount of exercise.
Do a consistent amount of exercise throughout the week. If your older dog is used to taking short walks during the week, it may not be able to handle taking longer walks on the weekends.
4. Play games together daily to keep your pet mentally active. To provide mental stimulation, play games like fetch and hide and seek, and practice tricks, if your dog knows any. In addition, interactive puzzle toys can keep your pet engaged when you’re unable to play with it.
If your dog is healthy enough, try taking it to new places. For example, go for a walk down a street where you’ve never ventured. While you shouldn’t overwhelm your dog with loud, crowded, or stressful surroundings, new sights and smells can offer mental stimulation.
5. Brush your dog’s teeth. daily. Dental hygiene is a crucial part of senior dog care, so brush your dog’s teeth regularly. Try to make the experience as positive as possible, offer lots of encouragement, and use a tasty, flavored canine toothpaste. Keep in mind that, in addition to regular brushing, your vet will recommend periodic professional teeth cleanings.
Use a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically labeled for dogs. Never use toothpaste made for humans to brush your dog's teeth.
If your dog doesn’t tolerate having its teeth brushed, try using a cloth. It’s also helpful to play games or go for a walk before tending to its teeth. That way, it’ll be tuckered out and less likely to put up a fuss.
6. Maintain vaccination and parasite prevention routines. If your dog doesn't take any, talk to the vet about oral flea, tick, and heartworm medications. These parasites pose major health risks to senior pets, so preventative care is especially important for your older pooch. Additionally, make sure your pet gets all vaccinations recommended by the vet and required by your local jurisdiction.
Like humans, older animals have weaker immune systems. Since your senior dog is less able to fight off germs and parasites, keeping up with vaccinations and parasite preventatives is a must.
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