As your dog is aging, the animal may have additional health issues, so you will need to give it special care. Here is how you can make sure that your beloved pet is getting all of the care that the animal requires.
Frequent Bathing and Grooming
Your older dog will feel better when the animal is bathed on a regular basis to remove dry skin cells and loose fur. This will also eliminate the pests such as fleas that can infest your dog’s coat. You may need to clean your dog’s ears or trim its toenails to make the animal feel comfortable.
Give Your Dog a Lot of Attention
While your older dog may not frolic like the animal did as a puppy, the animal still needs a lot of attention from you each day to maintain the dog’s mental well-being.
Updating Your Dog’s Dietary Plan
An aging dog will have different dietary requirements, including food that contains nutrients to keep the bones, teeth and joints healthy. Choosing a dog food with fewer calories but a higher level of nutrients can also keep your pet from gaining weight while maintaining your pet’s health.
Upgrade Your Dog’s Bed
A dog’s bedding will wear down in the same way as a human’s mattress, so you should replace your pet’s old bed. An older dog has body changes to the joints and bones, so you will need to find a more supportive bed to help your pet feel better each day.
Providing More Exercise for Your Dog
Your dog’s metabolism will change as part of the natural aging process for the animal, leading to gaining weight. Continue to take your dog for long walks, or alternatively, play games with your pet to keep the animal active.
An Evaluation from Your Dog’s Veterinarian
Schedule an aging animal evaluation with your dog’s veterinarian to determine if a pet has particular health conditions such as diabetes mellitus, arthritis or heart disease. If your pet does have a medical condition that is associated with aging, then you should learn how to manage it to prevent any complications.
Maintaining Climate-control for Your Dog
An aging pet can’t keep its body cool in the summer or warm in the winter, so you must provide climate-control for the animal during all seasons. Keep your dog in a warm area of your home during the winter, and you may need to provide a cloth coat for the animal’s body or warm booties for its feet. During the summer, make sure that your dog has a shady area out of the sun or bring your pet inside your home where there are circulating fans.
Taking care of your furry family member is important. Their needs will change as their age, but you can make their life as comfortable as possible. Make sure you have the address and phone number of the nearest Emergency Vet Center. You can’t plan when your dog will pass away, but you can make sure their last years with you are as comfortable as possible.
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