Mary Allen
If you could choose, he would accompany you forever. Unfortunately, the four-legged friend turns gray faster than you. These tips will help you support your senior dog.
Rely on a balanced diet
As a senior, your dog will exercise less than when he was young. Although the metabolism adapts to this over time, many dogs still gain weight with age.
But there is special food for older people that saves on calories but not on nutrients. It supports the bones, teeth, and immune systems of your elderly darling. It is extremely important to rely on high-quality feed in old age since digestion is no longer the youngest and is significantly relieved with special feed.
Visit the vet regularly
Be safe when it comes to your dog’s health and see the vet sooner rather than later. Regular health checks can’t hurt, as the doctor may be more likely to spot your dog’s health problems than you are. Find a doctor that you trust and who spends a lot of time with your dog.
Give your dog a nap
Even younger dogs need more rest and sleep than their masters and mistresses. This need increases with age. A basket may not be enough for the dog to really relax.
Instead, a comfortable and high-quality dog bed is now particularly important so that your dog’s tired bones are not unnecessarily strained when lying down. It should be in a warm, draft-free place where your wagging tail won’t be disturbed and where it can snooze or sleep in peace.
Avoid stress
Think carefully about whether you really need to take your dog with you everywhere. Too turbulent excursions and many people can mean stress. Dogs can often no longer see and hear well as they get older, which is why they are more frightened and find it difficult to assess situations. Replace jogging with a leisurely walk, because moderate exercise at a pace suitable for seniors is important so that your dog does not “rust”.
Give your dog warmth
If the immune system is weaker, as is the case with older dogs, you have to grow a thicker coat or put on a warm coat. (Also read: Dog coat yes or no?)
If you find your dog getting cold on colder days, don’t be afraid to give him a warm blanket or a jacket for outside. This is especially important for four-legged friends with arthrosis in winter.
Keep your dog mentally fit
Many breeds love it when they are challenged with tricky tasks even in old age. Especially the particularly intelligent dog breeds are happy about it.
This activity has a major impact on the quality of life of your faithful companion. Playing together is fun, and a sense of achievement is always a nice shared event for both four-legged friends and two-legged friends. We have collected the five best intelligence games for dogs for you here.
How long can an old dog go for a walk? Which diseases are threatened? And when is it even considered as? You can read that here: Old dog – This is now important for your animal
And should the last day come for your senior dog, we wish you a lot of strength. We have tips for you on how best to proceed: Cremating a dog – costs, process, alternatives.