Senior Dog Care: How to Make an Older Dog Comfortable
As a dog owner, you’re probably well aware that caring for a puppy is far different from caring for an adult dog. Similarly, adult dog care is different compared to senior dog care.
Think of your senior dog as you would a grandparent or older individual. Just like older humans, senior dogs need different types of care in order to stay comfortable and maintain a high quality of life. As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to protect and promote your dog’s well-being in all stages of its life, especially during the golden years.
If your dog is getting on in years, here are a few ways to provide the best care for him so he can continue to live a happy and comfortable life.
1. Visit Your Vet Regularly
It’s important to visit your veterinarian regularly throughout your dog’s life. When it comes to senior dog care, regular visits to the vet become even more important. Just like our elder generation, senior dogs are more susceptible to different health problems.
Taking your senior dog for routine checkups helps ensure you catch any health issues that might arise. Just how often should senior dogs visit the vet? The American Animal Hospital Association recommends senior dogs should go in for a checkup every six months as opposed to once a year.
2. Be Aware of Behavioral Changes
You know your dog better than anyone, and the way he behaves can tell you a lot about the state of his health. As your dog begins to age, it’s important to pay extra attention to any behavioral changes he might display.
Is he enjoying the same things as he used to? What are his sleep patterns like? Is he acting up in situations where he once behaved normally? Is your well-housebroken hound suddenly soiling the house?
Say you’ve been regularly taking your dog to work for years without any trouble, but he’s started to act up while you’re at the office. This could indicate a shift in your senior dog’s physical and mental health and is something to watch closely. It’s important to make note of any behavioral changes you notice in your aging dog and discuss them with your vet.
3. Continue to Ensure Your Dog Gets Regular Exercise
Exercise is vital for keeping dogs of any age happy and healthy. When it comes to senior dog care, exercise is extra crucial. While you and your dog might not be running on the beach or taking a steep hike through the woods as you once did, it’s crucial for senior dogs to continue to get regular exercise.
Depending on your dog’s health, you might want to get approval from your vet as to exactly what type of exercise he can handle. While you won’t likely be giving him as much or the same type of exercise you once did, there are still plenty of ways to keep your aging dog active.
Think about playing with toys. Even rolling a ball across the floor can get him up and moving a little. Take a trip to the dog park where he can enjoy being outside and around other dogs. Even the oldest dogs will enjoy a walk around the neighborhood, no matter how slow you might have to go. These less strenuous activities can offer the exercise and entertainment that senior dogs need.
4. Make Accommodations to Make Their Life Easier
Wondering how to make an old dog as comfortable as can be? As your dog gets older, it’s likely he won’t be able to do some of the same physical activities he could when he was younger. As his owner, it’s up to you to make the accommodations that will make your senior pup’s life as easy as possible.
For example, you may have been taking your dog everywhere for years. As he gets older, you might notice he’s having trouble jumping into the car like he used to. You might want to consider a ramp that makes it easier for him to get in and out of the car so he can continue to enjoy the life he’s accustomed to. Making small changes to accommodate senior dogs can go a long way.
5. Shower Him With Love and Affection
When it comes to senior dog care, showering your pooch with love and affection should be no different from when he was just a pup. Cuddle him, kiss him and love him as much when he’s older as you have all along.
Senior dogs crave your attention and unconditional love just as much as, if not more than, younger dogs. Consider spoiling them with fun new toys and delicious dog treats. Spend more time with them and enjoy this special time in their new stage of life.
There’s nothing wrong with indulging your dog, especially when he’s getting older. Consider adding bone broth to his food or engaging his brain by teaching him some new tricks (yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks). Treat your dog to a canine massage or make him as comfortable as possible with a new orthopedic bed.
How to make an old dog comfortable and happy really comes down to how much love you give them. When it comes to senior dogs, the more love and affection, the better.
Ensuring Senior Dogs Are Happy and Healthy
How old does a dog have to be to be considered part of the senior pack? Experts say it all depends on the dog. Giant breeds typically age faster than smaller breeds of dogs. A Great Dane might be considered a senior by age six, while a Chihuahua most likely wouldn’t begin to fall into the category of senior dog until well past the age of 10. Other factors that contribute to the canine aging process include diet, exercise and environment.
While watching our dogs move into their senior years isn’t always easy, understanding how to make an old dog comfortable and happy can significantly improve the quality of their life.
