What to Do When Your Dog Gets On In Years

What to do When Your Dog Gets On In Years

Have you noticed Lassie missing the dog door altogether and ramming his head into the kitchen cabinet instead? Is your near-sighted cat presenting you with rumpled socks instead of dead birds? Just like humans, pets age, go blind and get aches and pains. In advanced cases, they develop special needs to compensate for their failing bodies.

I have had to deal with two of my dogs getting on in years and it is never an easy. I often wish our pets could live longer lives, but if you own a pet, you know one of the things we have to deal with is their aging.

Diet

Your pet depends on you to recognize there are things you can do to help him with aging. An older dog requires a different diet, one that is specially formulated for the mature pet. You've heard of "Puppy Chow", but there are also foods for overweight, mature and senior pets. They come in colored-coded and clearly marked packages, formulated according to your pet's age and weight. An older animal sometimes appreciates softer foods because he may have sensitive or missing teeth. Check with your vet first before you make the change.

Your vet may recommend supplements to add to his diet. These are available at most pet stores and include glucosamine, chondroiton, and Vitamin E. There are also appetite enhancing supplements to spark his appetite if he's a picky eater. Saucy Dog & Nutri-Cal are two well known brands, but there are many others on the market. You can also offer less fattening treats to help cut down on weight gain.

The pet industry is awash with specialty products for your pet. Think about purchasing an elevated feeding station that will make it easier for your pet to eat and drink. It positions his food in such a way as to improve posture too. In human terms, it's the difference between eating on the floor or at a table.

Activity

As your pet ages, normal activities like playing ball, Frisbee, hiking and swimming become harder to do. Tailor a new program that includes swimming; it provides a weightless break for your pet, but also takes into account the difficulties of moving. Take hikes that aren't quite so strenuous or as long. Don't throw the ball so far, and do it in the grass, not in the street or on the beach. Concrete and asphalt can harm your dog's feet, and sand puts more stress on joints than grass.

In the home, your aging dog may need a ramp to help him up the stairs, in and out of the car, or even onto a couch or the bed. Using eating pads in the winter and foam padding in the bottom of his bed will make his sleep a little easier.

Incontinence

Your pet may become incontinent, and there are products on the market for that too. You can get "doggie diapers" for both male and female dogs. Use WeeWee pads on the floor; they're made with an attractant that will draw your dog to that spot to go in the event he can't make it to the door fast enough.

Weathering Winter

Depending on his coat type, your dog may also need a coat and boots in colder weather. Don't laugh, dogs suffer from thinning hair, and a coat can help break the wind and keep off the snow. Boots will protect his feet, not only from the cold ice and snow, but also from salt and sand or whatever your city uses on their streets to cope with winter freeze.

Health Care

Your pet may have special health issues too, and your vet may now want to see him twice a year instead of just once. You can have a special panel of blood work done that will let you know exactly how healthy your pet is. In the event that you may have to consider euthanizing your pet, check with your vet. Quite a few will now make house calls for this particular procedure in order to make the transition easier on both you and your pet.

As a rule, pamper your pet as you would any older loved one.