Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/caring-for-senior-dogs/

As we all grow older, we require a bit more care, in every sense of the word. This applies to both humans and animals.

Your baby dog may not be so baby anymore eventually, or you may already have an older dog in your care, and I’m here to share some tips on how to look after your fur baby even if they’re already past their prime.

Activity

Many people make the mistake of dramatically reducing the amount of activity their dogs get once they turn old, this is because they’re afraid that their senior dogs might get injured in some way if they let them play around as they used to when they were still young.

As much as we want to protect our senior dogs, regular but slightly reduced exercise is still important for their health. This will help them keep a healthy body and even provide them some mental stimulation as well.

Walking is a great and proven way to give your senior dog the regular exercise they need, take care not to walk them if the weather’s too hot or hot as older dogs don’t tolerate extreme temperatures.

Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet is essential to dogs of all ages. Senior dogs, however, have slower metabolism so cutting back on calories while still meeting their nutritional needs is needed for their diet.

Senior dogs are prone to obesity as well since they don’t expend as much energy throughout the day with their reduced activity, all while owners don’t usually adjust the amount of food that they give. Risks of careless diet in senior dogs include damage to joints and bones, heart problems, and respiratory problems.

My own senior dog’s appetite has significantly decreased and smaller but frequent feedings work well with her. Some explain that appetite loss is because of an aging dog’s dental decay; Most suggest that if your senior dog has problems with eating hard foods, consider soaking their food first with a bit of water, or slowly switch them to a wet food diet.

Grooming

Old but still fabulous! Age also affects a dog’s fur and skin. Regular grooming improves a pet’s comfort level in general as they help prevent matting and tangles, especially for long-haired breeds, which can be uncomfortable and even painful for some. Regular brushing should prevent this from happening.

When it comes to bathing older dogs, it’s important to use warm water and use a gentle shampoo. For drying, use a towel first to absorb as much water as possible before using a blow dryer. Take care that the blow dryer isn’t too hot, keep it in the lowest setting if possible. Remember, if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog as well.

If you personally groom your pets, this also gives you some quality time for your aging dog. Perfect time for bonding! While you’re grooming your fur baby, you can take this time to assess your dog’s health by checking if there are some significant physical changes, see the conditions of their teeth, skin, and even feel for lumps/bumps that you could report to your vet.

Vet Visits

The dreaded visits, yes. We don’t like admitting it but I think most of us are guilty of not fulfilling regular, yearly visits to our pet’s vets. There are those who only visit their vets as a last resort whenever their dog is sick, opting to do at home treatments first.

Since senior dogs are more vulnerable and sensitive to health issues, vets suggest a biyearly checkups for our older pets. It’s also important to note any changes you deem important in your pet’s behaviour and report it to the vet, even a change in urinary frequency can be a sign of some changes in your senior dog’s health.

Expect a full physical examination, blood tests, and urine tests for your senior dog’s checkups.

Let’s face it. Vet visits can be costly for some. But prevention is always better, and cheaper in the long run, than cure. According to financial advisors, allocating a part of your budget or savings is recommended for your pets. “Families should earmark $5,000 to $10,000 in the family emergency fund for a pet,” they said. Pet insurance can also be a great option for those who can afford it.

“You lower the odds (of sick or injured pets) if you are proactive about preventive healthcare and set aside some money or invest in pet insurance. That way, should the occasion arise, you can afford the technically advanced care that is available to your pet today,” said Dr. Nan Boss, veterinarian and owner of Best Friends Veterinary Center.

Follow these tips to make sure our senior dogs live the rest of their lives well and healthy! These are just general tips though. Make sure to check in with your vets if there are any special, breed-specific care that you might need to do for your pet/s. All the best, fur parents!

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog