By Deidre Grieves:
If your dog is going a little gray in the muzzle, he may be entering the senior stage of his life.
While the standard age range for senior dogs varies by breed and size, pet parents should watch for signs of aging and make necessary adjustments to provide their pets with the best senior dog care available.
If you need to take care of a dog who is older, making subtle changes to your dog’s routine, veterinary care and home environment can help them live a healthier and more comfortable life.
As dogs age, it’s important that they continue to get plenty of exercise, says Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, a veterinarian based in Greeley, Colorado. “If you don't move it, you lose it,” she says. “Muscle mass is the main driver of metabolism, and dogs that lose muscle mass develop frailty syndrome, which accelerates the aging process.”
If a dog’s activity level gradually decreases over time, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Owners of old dogs, says Dr. Wooten, should watch for subtle signs of pain and visit a veterinarian to come up with an ideal treatment plan. “Pet parents still think that 'slowing down' is normal for old age,” she says. “It isn't—it is indicative of untreated pain.”
Dog monitors that attach to a dog collar, such as the Whistle 3 dog GPS tracker and activity monitor, are useful tools that are designed help pet parents keep tabs of their dog’s activity level. If activity levels are low, dog owners can adjust a pet’s exercise routine to include more playtime or longer walks.
Keeping your senior dog active will also help prevent weight gain. “Keeping your dog thin is the most important thing you can do to help minimize the effects of arthritis,” says Dr. Wooten.
As dogs get older, it’s a good idea to see your veterinarian on a regular basis for checkups, says Dr. Justine Lee, a board-certified emergency care and toxicology specialist and author of "It's a Dog's Life... but It's Your Carpet."Besides an annual or biannual exam, Dr. Lee suggests that pet parents get yearly blood work done for their senior dogs.
“I generally recommend doing blood work to check their white and red blood cells and their kidney and liver function to make sure that they're healthy,” she says. “This is an easy way of being able to detect any kind of disease.”
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If you want to take care of a dog that is getting up there in age, splurging on an orthopedic dog bed or a heated dog bed may help senior dogs that are suffering from arthritis and other joint problems, says Dr. Wooten.
She recommends dog beds from the brand Big Barker, such as the Big Barker pillow-top orthopedic dog bed.
“A pain-free, restful sleep is huge for older dogs,” she says. “It can improve mobility, reduce pain and improve quality of life.”
A heated dog bed, like the K&H Pet Products ortho thermo pet bed, may help a senior dog with stiffness and joint problems. It has a built-in heater that warms up to your dog’s natural body temperature.
You can place a heated pad or mat into your dog’s bed for a similar effect. “Consider electric warming pads that are thermostatically controlled and have emergency shut-offs if they overheat,” says Dr. Raelynn Farnsworth, DVM, head of the community practice service at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “Such a pad will provide substantial relief for the achiness of age-related arthritis.”
The K&H Pet Products pet bed warmer is specifically designed not to exceed the natural body temperature of your dog. It fits inside most pet beds and is MET listed for safety. This means that it has been tested at a “Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory” to ensure quality and safety standards.
If your senior dog has mobility problems, a dog support sling or a specially designed dog harness can be a big help, says Dr. Lee. “If your dog has a really hard time getting up, sometimes using a dog sling can help them,” she says.
Dr. Wooten agrees. “There are great harnesses available that have a handle on the back so you can easily assist your dog,” she says.
Dog support slings, such as the Kurgo Up & About dog lifter, are designed to help make walking, climbing stairs, going to the bathroom or getting into the car easier for your senior dog.
If you have a senior dog, making small adjustments to your home and his environment can have a big impact.
Dr. Lee suggests putting down more carpeting around your home so that your senior dog will have an easier time getting up and will be less likely to slip on hardwood or tile floors.
Dog socks with rubberized, non-slip soles, like the Canada Pooch Cambridge dog socks, can also help provide traction for senior dogs.
Dr. Lee also recommends that senior dog parents consider using dog ramps throughout their homes.
Dr. Wooten agrees that ramps are a good option for senior dogs. “Ramps are a wonderful way to help dogs get into cars, up and down stairs and onto furniture,” she says.
The Solvit UltraLite Bi-Fold pet ramp is a foldable dog ramp option that can assist dogs and then store away easily in a closet or under a bed. For a more permanent option that won’t clash with your decor, try the Solvit wood bedside dog ramp.
Additionally, pet parents may need to reevaluate the dog food and water setup they have for their dog in order to provide extra comfort and ease of use. Dr. Wooten recommends that pet parents should consider an elevated dog bowl for their dog’s food and water to eliminate excess strain on a dog’s head and neck.
Dr. Farnsworth says senior dog parents should make finding a water bowl easier for their aging pups. “You may have to increase the number of water bowls around the home if the pet has trouble remembering where any single bowl may be located,” she says. “A nightlight by the food and water can help, too.”
Night vision is the first type to dissipate over time, so it can help your aging pet to put up nightlights throughout the home. You can also block stairways by using dog gates such as the Regalo Easy Step walk-through gate.
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