As dogs get older, their needs to be happy may slowly change. How do you make sure your senior dog is happy? If your dog is 6-7 years of age, they’re generally considered a senior pet, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). So when your dog reaches this age, you need to pay extra attention to his changes.
Senior dogs can develop many of the same physical problems that humans experience as we age, such as heart disease, diabetes, vision problems, joint issues and weakness. You might also notice behavior changes such as confusion, increased vocalization, more anxiety, changes in sleep cycles and house soiling. So these ailments can reduce the happiness of an older dog’s life.
If you’re wondering how to improve your senior dog’s quality of life and happiness, here are 12 ways you can help them cope with these new challenges.
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Double up on Vet Visits
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends that we take our senior dog to the vet every 6 months. Early detection is crucial, especially at their advanced age. A thorough examination by a veterinarian can identify any health issues the dog may have, including the dog’s heart function, hearing and vision function.
Keep Your Senior Dog’s Handicaps in Mind
When your Senior Dog has developed a few health issues, daily acticities might become new hazards.
Make sure the environment is safe
If your senior dogs have decreased hearing, vision and mobility, you can block off stairways so that your dog can’t fall while using them. And also you can avoid re-arranging the house because that requires senior dogs to learn new pathways. Finally, you can remove large furniture items from main paths so it’s easier for a vision-impaired or unsteady senior pet to navigate.
Having carpet or rubber
It will be much safer and more comfortable for them.
Put stairs beside beds and couches
Teaching them to go up a ramp or dog stairs through training helps them so they aren’t hurting themselves getting up to or down from elevated places.
Help Your Senior Dog Maintain a Healthy Diet
Maintaining balanced nutrition with high-quality ingredients is one of the best ways to love them. Because obesity shortens a dog’s lifespan, increases their risks of developing diseases and leads to more pain.
Cater to Your Senior Dog’s Aching Joints
A common issue for older dogs is arthritis. Aside from dog supplements and medications, heat therapy is one of the most effective ways to relieve joint pain.
Choose These Targeted Heating Therapy Braces To Give Your Senior Dog A Happy Life!
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Keep Your Senior Dog Appropriately Active
Your dog may become less active as he gets older. This is a natural occurrence, so you need to encourage your older dog to do some proper exercise. Joints in motion stay limber, joints not in motion get stiff. However, you need to remeber not to over do it.
Nice low-impact exercises for senior dogs are swimming and water play. It’s great exercise that’s cardiovascular as well.
Watch Your Senior Dog More Carefully
You may be accustomed to lettingyour dog out in the backyard, but as they age, they may meed you to keep an eye on them when you’re outdoors. We can manage environments more by providing support so they don’t end up in situations of danger or harm to others.
Give Your Senior Dog Extra Grooming Sessions
Regular grooming is important as dogs age because senior dogs can start to struggle to reach all areas on their body. It’s also a great way to check for new lumps, bumps, cuts, scrapes or irritation.
Take Care of Your Senior Dog’s Teeth
Dog’s teeth become more sensitive and prone to infection as they age, and infected teeth can increase the risks of heart disease and kidney disease. If pet parents have not taken good care of doggy dental health before now, their dogs often suffer with loose, infected teeth in their senior years. Professional dental cleaning is imperative if there are any loose or infected teeth.
Give Your Senior Dog a Social Life
Dogs love to be with their humans. They love the attention and enjoy time with their pet parents. If your dog also likes to play with other dogs, you also need to schedule regular times for your dog to go out and socialize.
Take Your Senior Dog on Special Outings
Taking your senior dog for a short walk around the block, out for a car ride or even a day trip can make them feel special and loved.
Keep Your Senior Dog’s Mind Sharp
Some dog-friendly brain games are great mental stimulation, adding that some senior dogs suffer from cognitive dysfunction and may need vitamin or nutritional support.
Show Your Senior Dog Lots and Lots of Love
Giving our senior dogs lots of love is their favorite. They cherish any time they spend with their pet parents. And, fortunately, that’s very simple for us to deliver!