Image Credits: Pixabay
Old age is tough on everyone - humans and animals alike. As much as you love your dog, if you have an aging dog at home or have recently adopted one, your beloved pet requires a little extra care and affection. Our furry friends cannot tell us when they need help. With age, our adorable dogs become more prone to diseases, face digestive tract issues, lose hearing and sight, and become less active. As responsible pet parents, we need to learn to gauge when they need our help and quickly jump into action. Here are a few tips on how to take care of your aging dog.
Look for symptoms and track them
The most common medical issues in older dogs are arthritis, kidney
disease, dementia, hearing and sight loss, heart disease, and diabetes. You
need to be on the lookout for any symptoms related to these problems. Has your
good old dog been walking a bit funny? Have you noticed your dog not listening
to you speak? Are they recently finding it difficult to locate their toys and
other belongings? Have they not been eating regularly? Do you hear your dog
whining in pain? Take special notice for anything out of the blue and keep
track of them.
Increase the frequency
of visits to the vet clinic
Your dog needs frequent visits to the vet. Your older dog? Even
more so. Take your aging dog to the vet and explain to them anything that you
have found out of the blue. Remember those symptoms you have been tracking for
a while? This is the right time to let your vet know about the symptoms.
Carefully follow any prescription that the vet gives for your dog. This helps
keep your dogโs health on point.
Change your dog's diet.
As humans, we change our diet with every phase of our lives. The
same needs to be done with aging dogs. Older dogs tend to be less mobile, which
leads to weight gain. To counter it, you need to change your dog's diet to
prevent them from getting obese. Generally, an older dog's diet consists of
less fat and sodium and more fatty acids like DHA and EPA. Consult with your
dog's vet and zero in on the most appropriate diet plan. A healthy diet coupled
with light and regular exercise, can help your dog stay healthy.
Engage your pet with toys and puzzle games
Older dogs tend to be forgetful. To help them keep an active and engaging game, provide them with toys and puzzle games. Hollow bones work the best. They not only help them stay engaged but also provide them with light exercise. Older dogs cannot move around with the same energy and speed as a young puppy. Their bones and muscles aren't as strong anymore. Toys and puzzle games can help them get some light exercise.