As your furry friend ages, it's important to give them extra love, care, and attention. Senior dogs require different care routines to remain happy and healthy. Here are some helpful tips to keep your senior dog healthy and happy.
Regular Veterinary Visits
Senior dogs, which are defined as being 7 years or older, should visit their veterinarian at least twice a year for check-ups. This may seem frequent, but it isn’t when you consider that 6 months is roughly equivalent to 3 dog-years. An annual exam for a senior dog is the equivalent to an exam every 7 years for an elderly human patient, and no medical doctor would advise seeing their elderly human patients that infrequently.
Since many illnesses become more prevalent with increasing age, these routine exams are important. The goal of these visits is to diagnose and treat disease before it becomes more advanced and therefore more difficult to manage. During the exam, your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam and look for evidence of disease. Your vet will also ask you for symptoms and changes in behavior that may indicate an underlying medical problem. Unfortunately, our dogs cannot communicate with us directly. They cannot tell us that they are experiencing pain or that they feel short of breath. Even though we can surmise these symptoms by being observant and recognizing, for instance, that Fido’s decreased activity may mean that his arthritis has worsened, we can never be certain. How do we know that his inactivity is due to shortness of breath rather than arthritic joints? We don’t, and veterinarians have the challenge of using every clue to make the right diagnosis. This includes the physical examination, the history you provide, and the use of screening diagnostic tests.
Monitoring Your Dog
In between visits there are steps you can take to ensure that illnesses are recognized early. Primarily, you should watch for changes. While physical and physiologic changes are part of the aging process, there are certain changes that may signify illness. Changes in appetite, behavior, activity, appearance, and weight may signal the development of diseases. For instance, increases in eating, drinking and urination are the textbook symptoms of diabetes. Weight gain, decreased activity, and hair loss are the classic signs of hypothyroidism. These are just a few of the signs and symptoms that are hallmarks of diseases seen in our aging dogs. Likewise, you should keep an eye out for any new lumps and bumps on their pet. If any lumps or changes are noted, it is important to bring your dog to the veterinarian for an exam and work-up.
Diet
As dogs age, their nutritional and metabolic requirements change. Older pets are typically less active and require less caloric intake. They also lose muscle mass and develop more sensitive immune and digestive systems. It is important to provide them with a well-balanced diet that meets their nutritional requirements. Senior dogs need a moderate amount of fat, protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. Feed your senior dog a high-quality food brand, and avoid foods that contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Speak with your veterinarian to determine which diet is best for your senior dog before changing diets.
Exercise
Regular exercise is vital for senior dogs as it helps keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Exercise is important to keep your dog at their ideal body weight. Overweight dogs suffer from arthritis and losing weight can help alleviate their pain. Likewise, exercise can help with your dog’s mobility by keeping their joints supple. Depending on your dog's breed and size, set aside time every day for walks or playtime. Besides walking, activities such as swimming or hydrotherapy are low impact and can also help reduce joint pain and stiffness. Just be sure not to overdo it with your senior dog. They may still be a puppy at heart, but too much activity can take a toll on their senior joints.
Regular Grooming
Grooming is essential for senior dogs as their coats become more delicate and prone to matting. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair, dirt, and debris, which can cause skin irritation if left unattended. Additionally, grooming your older dogs gives you an excellent opportunity to inspect your dog's skin for lumps, cuts, and other injuries.
Monitor Your Dog's Weight
Just like humans, senior dogs tend to gain weight as they age. An overweight dog may look cute, but the extra pounds are bad for their health. Obesity can lead to various health issues, including heart problems, diabetes, and arthritis. Keep an eye on your dog's weight and adjust their diet and exercise regimen to keep them at a healthy weight.
Provide Comfortable Living Conditions
Senior dogs can have trouble getting around. They may have difficulty going up and down stairs. Analogous to puppy-proofing your home, senior-proof your home by making sure that their living space is safely and easily accessible. Provide comfortable bedding for your senior dog that conforms to their body shape and supports arthritic joints. Additionally, depending on the climate, consider providing access to heating or cooling pads to provide warmth or coolness as needed.
As your dog enters their senior years, they are at risk for many of the same conditions affecting aging humans, such as diabetes, arthritis, and cancer to name a few. Fortunately, these conditions can be treated, especially if diagnosed early. Early diagnosis requires regular visits to the veterinarian, screening tests, and recognition of the warning signs by pet parents. Be sure to schedule regular vet visits, feed them a healthy diet, provide adequate exercise, monitor their weight, groom them regularly, and create safe and comfortable living conditions. Getting old is a normal and inevitable part of life. However, with proper care, senior dogs can live long, healthy lives.
