While we do not intend to give it much thought, our furry friends will age and get old like us. Moreover, the senior years of our four-legged buddies come faster than us, so it’s necessary to understand your pet’s adjustments and be prepared to get on top of their needs. Doing so helps you plan for their care and what adjustments you must make to facilitate your dog’s healthy aging. So how do you better look after your senior pet to improve its quality of life?
How to Take Care Of Senior Dogs
As your furry buddy enters their golden years, you must ensure they’re comfortable and healthy so you can enjoy the remaining time you have together. Their abilities might slow down and be less energetic than before, but this isn’t something to stress over. So we’ve collected five tips to help your furry friend adjust to a better and different lifestyle as they age.
1. Invest in heated dog beds
Buying orthopedic or heated dog beds can help senior dogs with joint issues and arthritis. This is a terrific way to take care of your senior pet, as this dog bed may provide restful and pain-free sleep. Moreover, this can help reduce joint pains and bolster mobility and quality of life.
2. Keep them active, but never overdo it
Going for shorter, slower, and more frequent daily walks with your senior canine is a great way to prevent muscle atrophy. Even if they can’t go as far as they used to, shorter and more regular walks can benefit their mental and physical health. If you have concerns concerning your senior pet’s suggested lifestyle, geriatric vets from animal facilities like Charlotte ProvidenceVets can give more tailored and expert suggestions.
3. Take your senior dog for semi-annual veterinary visits
Even if you think there’s nothing wrong with your senior canine, it’s still necessary to take them to the vet twice a year. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends a regular cat vet exam to establish baselines for your senior pet’s health and guarantee clinically silent health abnormalities are addressed or managed earlier rather than later.
4. Keep their diet healthy
Canines of any age need premium dog foods, especially seniors. You can choose from many popular dog brands, and finding the best choices for your aging dog is simple. The nutritional needs of your senior dog may slightly change as they’ll require fewer calories and more protein. So the food you should give them should support their health.
Have you considered getting a pet wellness plan? This is an excellent option to consider if you’re finding ways to lessen the veterinary expenditures on your furry buddy’s routine preventative care.
5. Watch them more carefully
While letting your pet run loose in the backyard is good, they’ll want you to watch them outdoors as they age. Senior pet dogs naturally experience decreased vision and hearing. They may roam outside the yard accidentally and forget to find their way home. To have happier senior dogs, watch them more frequently and change the environment of your house and backyard to prevent them from harming themselves and others.
