Caring for Your Senior Dog

Given the right care most dogs enjoy whole and joyful lives. Unfortunately, an adored pet never seems to live long enough. Each breed has various life spans. Caring for an aging dog requires changing his surroundings for his welfare. As dogs grow in years, they develop aches, joint pain, generalized frailty and unfortunately increase in health problems.

Change his surroundings to minimize discomfort. Shelter him from extreme temperature variations. Older dogs are unable to adjust core temperature as well as a younger pet.

Attempt to provide your dog consistent exercise. Be mindful your dogs fitness coincides with his exercise routine. If your dog displays signs of difficult panting or opposes exercise, then you'll need to modify things up a bit.

Adapt his diet and feeding program to his needs. As dogs mature they are more seditary and need less calories. Veterinarian prescribed diets are available. Talk about individual diets with your vet.

Senior dogs can experience hearing deficiency and declining eyesight. Provide for his wellbeing.

Mature dogs require special dental treatment. They are very likely to begin having gum problems and disease. Complete dental cleaning should be accomplished by your animal doctor every 6 months and the dog will need to be under anesthesia. It's best if comprehensive bloodwork is accomplished.

Older dogs should have added bathing and grooming. Dry skin can be a routine component of aging or it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Older dogs also require having their nails trimmed more often.

Reflect how old he is in human years. If he's 12 in dog years, he may suffer the same aches and pains of an 70 year old person. Keep with bi-annual vet visits. Senior dogs require additional care with their getting old problems.

Take care of the one who has shown you love! With appropriate attention, your dog can live and enjoy many good years to come.