As a dog owner, you know that your sweet, playful pup doesn’t stay young forever. There comes a time – and it always comes sooner than you want – when your dog gets old. Everything goes a little slower, everything becomes a little more difficult. How can you best care for your four-legged senior?
1. Anticipate
When your dog gets old, all sorts of complaints can arise. This cannot always be prevented, but it is good to keep possible future complaints in mind, when your dog is still young. Do not strain the joints too much, for example by endlessly retrieving. At the same time, make sure that your dog builds up a good condition, so that he still has the energy to go for a walk when he is older.
2. Provide comfort
As your dog gets older, he will have less and less energy. This is because he has a hard time staying warm or cool and digesting food. Your dog may also have discomfort, such as painful joints. It is a good idea to visit your vet every now and then, so that he can give you insight into your dog’s condition. Offer your dog comfort by offering him a nice, soft place to sleep, away from draughts and in a quiet place. Walk your dog, but take his limits into account. Also be patient; he may not walk as fast as he used to.
3. Senior nutrition
Some older dogs lose weight quickly because essential nutrients are not or only in small quantities absorbed by the body. Others become fatter because they move less. If you are in doubt, you can discuss with your vet whether it is time to switch to senior food and if so, which brand is suitable.
4. Mental support
Your dog’s mind is also getting older. He may no longer be able to cope with certain crowds, such as visitors or playing children. Take this into account by giving him a nice and quiet place with as few stimuli as possible when visitors come over. Some dogs also develop dementia over time , which can cause them to become incontinent, disoriented and avoid interaction. Although medication can sometimes slow this down, attention and a lot of patience are especially important. Give your dog enough rest and spend some more time with him, so that he feels less stressed when he doesn’t know where he is. Don’t see it as a burden. Just go for the cheapest internet and/or take out a subscription to Netflix, so that you can watch all your favorite series together. Rest assured that your dog will appreciate those kinds of moments.
