5 Important Considerations To Care For Elder Dogs

I was surprised when I visited my brother’s house in Cleveland and found that his Pomeranian dog had slowed down considerably and showed least enthusiasm in welcoming me; it is sad yet true that dogs also grow old like human beings, with most dogs having a life of about 10 years. My brother was also concerned, but told me that all we could do was to look out for signs of aging and take steps to ensure the pet lead a quality life.

The 5 important considerations caring for an elder dog:

       
1) The first and one of the most important considerations is to feed the elderly dog a nutritious diet; veterinarians are of the opinion that feeding the pet a nutritious diet in the dusk years of its life would help them get over the signs of aging and would keep them active and playful. Your vet is the best person to consult regarding the type of diet you should give your dog; he/she would recommend quality brands, ingredients or special formulas that would help your senior dog.

2) Ensure that your elder pet dog gets enough exercise; exercise is very important for the physical and mental health of the dog. Though your dog must have slowed down with age, it is imperative to exercise your dog to keep it healthy and to prevent various other health issues. You could not insist on your dog going for long hikes with you, but taking your elder dog for short less strenuous walks will definitely make him feel good.

3) Schedule regular checkups with the vet at least once in 6 months; these checkups help diagnose many health issues and diseases early for effective treatment. It would also help to address breed specific health issues like predisposition to kidney problems, diabetes or severe arthritis with the vet, so that they could be detected at the first warning signal. The vet would also be the best person to address diet and exercise issues of your dog that is aging. 

4) Ensure that your dog that is aging maintains a healthy weight; this would help eliminate stress on various parts of the body like the joints and internal organs. Your veterinarian could suggest ways by which your pet dog could decrease a few pounds with diet and an exercise plan.  

5) Ensure your dog’s teeth are in good shape; regular dental care is very important even for elderly dogs. Neglecting the teeth could cause various damages to health; it could lead to the building up of tartar and gingivitis, with bacteria entering into the blood stream and creating damage to the organs of the body. Ensure you keep your elderly dog’s teeth and gums in good shape with regular cleanings at home and in the vet’s office.

Last, but most important ensure that you give enough care to keep your aging pet dog to keep him healthy and happy; it is the best gift you could give him in old age.