As our furry friend’s age, they require extra care and attention to keep them healthy and comfortable. Senior dogs are more susceptible to various health issues, from joint problems to vision and hearing loss. Fortunately, there are many ways to help your senior dog stay comfortable as they age, ensuring they enjoy their golden years to the fullest.
In this article, we’ll explore some tips and strategies for keeping your senior dog happy and comfortable as they navigate the challenges of aging. From nutrition to exercise and lifestyle changes, we’ll cover everything you need to know to help your senior dog thrive.
Four Comforting Tips for Senior Dogs
As dogs age, they may face various physical and emotional challenges impacting their quality of life. Fortunately, there are many ways to help senior dogs feel more comfortable and content in their golden years. Here are a few tricks to keep in mind.
1. Weather Demands
Animals also feel cold or hot, depending upon their surrounding temperature. Therefore it is essential to adjust the temperature of your house to keep your little friends safe from harsh weather conditions. Depending on the weather condition, you should take preventive measures beforehand.
Dogs, especially aged dogs, are susceptible to cold temperatures because of their weaker bodies. Here the only thing which works magically is using heating pads. Other than this, it is crucial to improve the internal heating system of your whole house. By doing this, your dog will not have to sit all the time on the heating pad and can wander freely anywhere in the house. Also, ensure your senior dog wears a warm sweater or shirt outside in the cold weather.
One thing which irritates dogs is the scorching weather, which can lead to a sweating body, never-ending thirst, and disturbed appetite dogs. To tackle this heat, the best solution is to air condition your place. This way, your dog can run anywhere in the house without disturbance.
To deal with the high thirst, you can place big pots containing cold water at multiple spots in your home. No matter the weather, you should know how much time to spend with your dog.
2. Healthy Diet
Everything feels good if you are healthy. The same is the case with your dogs; if they are healthy, they only feel good. The main factor in making your senior dog healthy is its healthy diet.
The nutritional requirement of your dog varies with the age difference. For example, a senior dog demands higher nutrition than an adult. They require fewer calories due to lesser physical activity. One thing to ensure is never overfeeding your dog to keep them safe from obesity and other health issues. Also, try to go for easy-to-digest food items for your senior dog.
A better healthy diet option for your senior dog is wet food which is easy to chew and digest. This high water content benefits the kidneys and is soft and easy to chew with old teeth. The main thing is your senior dog’s health, which decides the most suitable food. For this thing, the best thing is to consult the best veterinarian to talk to and select the most appropriate diet for your growing diet.
3. Suitable Dog Bed
Proper sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Dogs love to sleep and sleep for more than half of their lives. Like everyone, dogs also love to sleep on a comfortable bed with excellent cushioning.
Young dogs can easily adjust their bodies in any bed, but this is not the case with older dogs. Their bodies are not that flexible and active enough to curl up in any bed. Harsh surfaces are a big turn-off for aged dogs. The best thing is to place comfortable dog beds in different corners of your house. But always ensure that the size of this bed is according to your dog’s size. Doing this allows you to install multiple small places for your senior dogs to rest anywhere in the house.
Depending on your senior dog’s health, you can choose an orthopedic bed that provides exceptional joint support for your senior dog. Another thing is to place a heated pad on your dog’s bed to add extra comfort and support. These beds are most suitable for dogs with muscle stiffness and aches problems. You can also use these beds for dogs who get cold quickly. But it is crucial to know how to choose a comfortable dog bed.
4. Nail Care Routine
One problem with long dog nails is their increased chances of slipping. And you would never want that. Doctors recommend trimming your dog’s nails every two weeks. Or if the growth is slow, then every four weeks. One thing about the length of your dog’s nails is that upon walking on a hard surface, the pins should hardly contact the surface.
Your dog’s nails should always stay on the side to prevent their chances of slipping. Another great benefit of trimmed nails is that they help maintain a proper blood supply and care for your dog’s health. If your dog’s nails have grown a lot and bleed while trimming, getting professional help from a veterinary or groomer clinic is better. Some dogs require sedation, in particular for the proper pedicure process. Or you can consider frequent pedicures for your dog at home to eliminate the bleeding issue.
To Wrap It Up
A senior dog faces reduced physical and emotional health. The only thing you can do to improve these things is to work on your dog’s comfort. Comfort includes safety, health, diet, and a good lifestyle. The goal is to ensure a good quality lifestyle and satisfaction, along with fulfilling the responsibilities of a pet owner. Also, ensure you always satisfy your dog to keep them healthy and happy. So, remember to act upon the senior dog comforting tips given above.
