Our dogs are our best friends, and so keeping them happy and healthy is on the forefront of our minds as pet owners. After around age seven (depending on the size and breed), dogs are considered seniors and it’s a good time to start rethinking some elements of their care. Just like people, as dogs get older they can slow down a little and become more prone to illness and injury so it pays to be aware of the best ways to look after them. Here are just a few ideas.
Switch to a Senior Dog Food
After a certain age, dogs bodies stop breaking down proteins as well as they once did, and senior food provides more easily digested sources of protein. This food also contains the right balance of vitamins and minerals that an older dog needs to stay at their best. Kibble or dry biscuits are often the best choice for dogs as wet food can lead to tooth decay and bad breath. If your dog isn’t eating his dry food or it looks like he’s struggling, a trip to the vet to check out his teeth may be needed. Giving dogs bones and hard treats to chew on can help to keep teeth strong and reduce tooth decay.
Supplement Their Diet
Alongside a good senior dog food, you can also add supplements and other extra things to your dog’s diet. For older dogs, glucosamine as a supplement or even glucosamine dog food can be a good choice. This helps with their joints and helps to ward off arthritis which is common in older dogs. Other things you can add to your dog’s diet is natural yogurt which is full of probiotics. Choose a non sweetened version, either mix a tablespoon in with their food or let them lick it off the spoon. A couple of frozen blueberries make a good treat and are high in antioxidants. In fact, lots of fruits and vegetables are also beneficial for dogs, but be sure to research first to make sure they’re safe. Grapes for example are toxic to dogs.
Change Up Their Exercise
Even older dogs are excited to walk, run and might still jump around in the same way as they did when they were a pup. They’re getting older- but they don’t know that! However as an owner, you need to be careful to monitor your dog’s exercise and make sure they’re doing the right amount. Too much can irritate arthritic joints and cause pain. Too little and your dog can pile on the pounds and become overweight. Speak to your vet and let them advise you on the frequency and intensity of exercise that best suits your dog. It will be based on their age, size and breed amongst other things. If you previously went out jogging or hiking with your dog, it could be time to scale it back once they reach their senior years.
Have you got a senior dog? What kinds of things do you do to keep their tail wagging?
This is a great post with some excellent tips. I don’t have a senior dog but I have a senior cat so some of this still applies.
The oldest dog that I personally owned reached 10 years, so I haven’t really had much experience with older dogs.
I give my senior dog both joint and probiotic supplements. She’s definitely slowed down but has her spry moments.
These are great tips for keeping senior dogs happy.