Caring For Your Senior Dog

Caring for an elderly dog is no simple feat. Their bodies just aren't the same as they used to be, and they require some extra care and attention. You need to work towards making life easier for them while they battle the challenges that come with age. With how long your dog has lived, you should be pretty familiar with how they are by now. It is your responsibility to show them the love and care they need at their tender old age! 

 

Adjust Their Living Situation

When your dog was younger, it may have been fine with just sleeping on the floor or a doggy bed. However, its body is no longer as it was, and it is more frail and susceptible to temperature. As your dog ages, its joints get weaker, and its body gets more feeble. Because of this, it is recommended that you invest in an orthopedic or heated dog bed for them so they can lay down comfortably. 

 

Apart from this, remember that your dog can't do the same things as it used to. Stairs may be too difficult for it now, and it may struggle to get up and lay down. Consider getting a doggy ramp if it needs to go up to places and placing more carpets around the house to cushion the floor. 

 

Keep Them Active

While your senior dog may not have the same energy as it once did, it is just as important as before to keep its body active and healthy. The last thing you want is for your senior dog to grow too frail and accelerate the aging process. Continue taking your senior companion on walks and play with them when they feel like it. They may not be able to do these activities for long, but the exercise is good for them nonetheless.

 

Visits to the Vet

There may be nothing wrong with your senior dog, but that does not mean that you should neglect its regular vet visits. Your senior companion should see the vet relatively often to get checkups. During these visits, you can also voice out any concerns or changes in your dog's behavior that you have noticed. 

 

It's also a good idea to have its blood work done at least once a year to get a better look into their health. Your veterinarian can also prescribe supplements and medication to help ease your dog's elderly struggles and prolong its life.

 

Senior Dogs Can Get Care at Culebra Creek Veterinary Hospital and Resort

Senior dogs need extra special care, especially from their veterinarians. At Culebra Creek Veterinary Hospital and Resort, we provide the compassionate care to your elderly companion that it needs. We cater to any pet needs you may have and are trained to prolong your dog’s life. 

You can visit our website for more information and call us if you want to schedule a visit! Give your senior dog the best care it could possibly get as it goes through its golden years!