Caring for a Senior Dog

It is no surprise that with time comes age. Getting older can only bring health problems as our bodies start to change, and when it comes to dogs, this is not an exception too. There are common issues that owners with senior dogs go through. Some might even say that this is a whole new ball game, whereby one needs to change his/her lifestyle in order to manage an aging dog.

Charlie, 15 years old 

Senior dogs struggle with issues such as aches and pains, arthritis, poor vision, hearing loss, and kidney or liver issues. Owners of senior dogs might have to change their pet’s diet when their dog gets older. Aging dogs tend to sleep more and eat less, having a few small meals a day instead of two big meals, as their appetite starts to diminish and food becomes harder to digest. It might hurt to hear this but some geriatric dogs even go through canine cognitive dysfunction, where a dog forgets how to eat or drink, an issue that is a human equivalent to Alzheimer’s. In some cases, the owners have a hard time leaving their senior dog alone at home as their pet might be stuck in corners or forget where the water bowl is placed at. Drawing parallels between dogs and human beings, a senior dog’s temperament would change with time. They might become cranky, start snapping and no longer be as tolerant as they once were before.

Charlie

How does one take care of a senior dog? To take the first step forward, owners could schedule regular visits with his/her veterinarian. Although frequent visits lead to more vet bills, these are the little things one can do to keep their aging dogs healthy and happy. It also ensures that their pets are not going through any pain, and if they are, put a stop to it before things transition for the worst. While at the vet’s, one can seek for an age-appropriate diet to maintain the dog’s health. Due to the fact that senior dogs sleep more than average, this leads to a higher risk of developing obesity. With the right nutritional need and exercise such as regular walks and light jogs for a geriatric dog, it will help maintain the dog’s ideal weight and have a beneficial impact on their health in general.

Most importantly, although aging is a difficult and painful thing to witness to one’s dog, spending the remaining time one has with his/her pet is the most important. Provide plenty of toys, offer unlimited hugs, and give them treats when they are good. Aging is inevitable but the memories and feelings both owners and pet have developed overtime remain indefinitely.

Written by: Debbi