5 Ways to Care for Your Senior Dog

It’s inevitable: we age, and so do our pets. At some point, your young pup hits their prime, then matures into a senior dog. Ageing presents health challenges for dogs too: older dogs are more susceptible to joint issues or neurobehavioural syndromes like dementia. 

As your dog ages, it’s important to adapt their routines and health care to accommodate the different requirements for senior dogs.

Much like humans, older dogs lose mobility, hearing and sight as they age. They can also become more prone to diseases like hip and joint issues which require additional support. One of the most common ways to support your senior dog is to keep your dog healthy with hip and joint supplements or supporting supplements for aging dogs and senior dogs. This can help your dog retire easily into their golden years as a healthy and happy canine.

To stay on top of your dog’s health before they retire, it is important to consider how to care for them. 

In this post, we’ll cover 5 ways you can care for your senior dog.

1. Senior Dog Diet

To maintain your dog’s health, it’s important to provide a healthy, balanced diet. Senior dogs suffer from reduced energy levels, hearing or digestive issues, and are more susceptible to diseases like dementia. In order to support your senior dog, switch up their diet that supports their specific health needs - such as including easy to digest foods and brain foods. You can supplement their diet with high quality multivitamins and active ingredients that target specific health concerns - such as reduced mobility from arthritis or swollen joints or cognitive support supplement for aging dogs. 

Owners have found that the right diet and supplements can reduce pain and inflammation and significantly improve mobility and energy levels in senior dogs - getting your dog moving happily again. 

Another senior dog dietary supplement can support cognitive function and help relieve symptoms of brain diseases, such as memory loss and disorientation that can often be a sign of dementia. Add these supplements to your senior dog’s diet to help complement the nutritional needs of your doggo.

2. Regular Exercise

As your dog ages, their metabolism slows down which means they can be more likely to develop obesity and have lower energy levels to keep up with their usual run in the park. Build up your dog’s stamina and overall health with a hip and joint supplement or multivitamin to help maintain an ideal weight that won’t become a burden on their joints or overall nutritional needs. This way, if you notice your dog is slowing down, you can adapt their exercise routine to accommodate a walk instead of a run while reducing the effects or symptoms of diseases like arthritis.

3. Senior Dog Check ups

Did you know that it’s recommended you take your senior dog for vet checkups at least twice a year? 

Your vet can perform important tests and evaluations for senior dogs that help catch early-onset diseases or conditions before it’s too late, making preventative health care easier. 

To make sure you stay up to date with your senior dog’s vet check ups, you can keep their immune system healthy with a dog multivitamin and control their daily food intake to avoid an overweight senior dog, and avoid further medical issues.

4. Be Patient with Your Senior Dog

It’s common for your senior dog to become increasingly stubborn as they age. It’s difficult for them to adapt to change and they find security in their daily routines. That’s why it’s important to continue to give them the love and support they need to keep their mind, body and soul active. 

If you make any major changes to their daily routine, like adapting their diet or exercise regime, remember that resistance or stubbornness comes with age. Be kind and patient and slowly introduce changes to avoid confusion, stress and potentially destructive behaviours.

5. Skin and Coat Upkeep

Have you noticed a change in your senior dog’s coat? What was once a shiny coat may have become dull and dry, and prone to itching or flaking. 

This can be a sign of skin diseases such as hot spots or excessive shedding and dandruff. If you notice that your dog’s coat isn’t as soft as it used to be, it may be time to introduce a dog coat supplement. A quality skin and coat supplement supports healthy skin replenishment and balanced oil production, to help reduce inflammation and irritation and renew that health coat shine. 

Brushing your dog regularly and using natural shampoos alongside skin and coat supplements that contain omega 3 can help treat any irritation and support a luscious mane. Bonus! Omega 3 also supports a healthy diet and mind for your pooch!

Ageing Gracefully is a Beautiful Thing

There’s no doubt that older dogs need different health care to younger pups. As your dog gets older, be prepared for these changes that are a natural part of the aging process - and, when managed well, can help you have a happier and healthier dog for years to come. 

When planning out changes for an older dog, remember that not all dogs age at the same rate so it’s important to watch for signs your senior dog is showing and adapt with them. 

Whether it’s their diet, changes to exercise or managing health concerns, helping your senior dog to adapt is all part of your journey together.