When you have a senior dog, whether you have had them since they were a puppy or you adopted them when they were already older, your primary concern and focus is on their health and well-being. However, you may not know what you can do on a regular basis to ensure that your senior dog remains as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Get to know some of these steps that you can take to keep your senior four-legged friend healthy and happy in their remaining years with you. Then, you can get started as soon as possible.
Provide Your Senior Dog With Proper Dental Care
Dental care is important for a dog at any age. However, taking care of your dog's teeth is even more important when they get older. One of the best ways that you can take care of your senior dog is to brush their teeth regularly, preferably every day.
Just like a person, a dog's teeth will weaken and deteriorate with age. This can make it difficult for them to chew and can cause food to get caught in their teeth and gums. As such, to prevent dangerous infections and tooth rot, on top of brushing their teeth regularly, you will need to take them in to a dog dentist, like the ones found at Kenmore Veterinary Hospital, for regular thorough cleanings.
A dog dentist will be able to examine your dog's teeth, scrape off any residue or tartar, and be sure that there are no major underlying issues with your dog's oral health. This can be done annually or even more frequently if need be.
Be Prepared for Degenerative Health Conditions
Many senior dogs have or develop degenerative health conditions. You should be prepared for such conditions and be sure to make accommodations for your senior dog's specific issues and conditions.
For example, many senior dogs develop trouble with mobility and moving around, even to the point of suffering from arthritis. If your senior dog seems stiff when trying to stand up from sitting or laying down, or you hear their joints clicking as they move or walk, you may want to make certain accommodations for them. This includes providing them with soft bedding to lay on, giving them glucosamine or other supplements or treating their arthritis with pain medications.
Other degenerative issues that senior dogs may have include a lack of appetite, lethargy, and incontinence issues. When your dog is incontinent, for example, you can put puppy pads down, have them wear doggie diapers, or simply try to let them out every few hours to ensure that they do not have accidents indoors. The more you are prepared for degenerative issues with your senior dog, the better you can accommodate and care for them.
Now that you have a few ideas of how to properly care for your senior dog's health, you can get started in ensuring that they live a longer and happier life as a beloved member of your family.
