For every one of us, the dog is part of the family and one can go to any extent for their well-being. Just like puppies, senior dogs too need special care. While age can result in difficulty in walking, sore joints, vulnerability to diseases, irritability,  dementia, and other condition, there are a few steps that any owner can take to comfort the aging pet.

A NUTRITIOUS DIET
Proper nutrition is essential for dogs of all stages. However, a senior dog will require a nutritious diet for keeping him healthy and active. Aging makes a dog less active, and thus the caloric needs drop. As such, you also have to cut on the caloric portion and must focus more on a well-balanced diet. Also, you can enrich the dog’s food by giving fatty acids, omega 3, and other types of supplements as recommended by your vet.

Dogs with certain types of conditions will also need special diets. For example, if a dog is diagnosed with heart disease then the pet will need a diet with no or low levels of sodium. If the dog has kidney disease, then the dog owner must go for foods that will help to keep the calcium and phosphorus levels in check.

The veterinarians have substantial knowledge of nutrition. They are skilled to counsel your pet’s diets from all the life stages, from puppy to Senior dog and everything in between. Make sure to ask about our Nutritional Counseling.

FREQUENT WALKS
Age makes the dog less active which may result in posing the risk of weight gain, arthritis, and other conditions that can be associated with inactivity. The solution to this problem is to walk your pet regularly to keep him active and prevent the dog from any illnesses. Due to growing age, short walks around the block are sufficient exercise.

ORAL HYGIENE
Dental care for the dog is critical for preventing gum diseases that can lead to aching or even falling of teeth. A vet will advise the best way to clean your dog’s teeth. Consider buying a toothbrush designed especially for dogs, and try to make oral hygiene a routine. Get some chewing toys, and water additives to reduce the plaque.

FREQUENT CHECKUPS
Experts recommend that senior dogs must be examined by the vet at least once every six months. So, any illness can be diagnosed early stage and can be treated if possible. With age, hearing problems are likely to arise and this is not treatable. A vet can correct the hearing loss if they are caused by ear-canal inflammation or due to discharge. And in the same vein, there could be loss of vision due to a result of the age where the lens is also unaffected. The vet can tell the difference.

SCHEDULE REGULAR GROOMING
As said above, the senior dog will become less active and may tend to adopt an inactive life. While sleeping and sitting all day, you are likely to discover tangled hairs and even long nails. Hence, regular grooming allows the growth of new hair and skin, while together allowing for inspections.

For more details on taking care of again dogs, call us today and book an appointment.