Guest Post by Susan Peterson, EasyToLovePets.com
As your dog gets along in years, you will notice that their abilities and needs change. Perhaps they begin to tire out more quickly on your morning walks or find it increasingly difficult to climb onto the sofa. Maybe they become a little more irritable and harder to predict. No matter your pup’s personality, it’s time to start making adjustments that will benefit them in their senior years.
Today, Springs Pet Portraits shares some practical care tips you can incorporate into your dog’s regular routine.
Visit the Vet Regularly
A senior dog needs to visit the vet more than once a year; at least every six months is ideal. Not surprisingly, older dogs are more susceptible to health issues, whether it’s arthritis, dental disease, or congestive heart failure. Getting them examined by a veterinarian will help you to stay on top of their health and catch any issues early on. And the sooner you catch issues, the easier they are to treat.
Of course, vet bills are not cheap, so you might need to make adjustments to your budget and find ways to cover the costs. Along with considering credit cards like CareCredit and looking into pet insurance, research the various organizations and charities that specialize in helping people pay veterinary bills.
Learn How to Administer Meds
Administering medications to dogs can always be tricky. But when your pup is a senior, it can be even more difficult. If your dog is resisting a pill, try these quick tips:
Talk to your vet about suggestions.
Don’t let Fido see you open the pill bottle.
Hide the pill in their food.
Hide it in a treat (e.g., peanut butter, pill pocket, yogurt).
For liquid medication, hiding it in your pup’s food or in a treat is also the best option. Usually, this is more easily done than with pill medications. However, be sure to mix the medication in a small portion of food and hand-feed it to your dog; if you put it with their normal meal, there’s a risk that they will not finish it. If you are unable to administer liquid medication this way because of dietary restrictions or because your pup simply won’t cooperate, you will need to determine an effective way of administering them with a syringe.
Make Any Necessary Lifestyle Adjustments
There may be lifestyle adjustments that you need to make for your pup in their golden years. For instance, they might require a diet with fewer calories and less fat. Also, it’s essential that your pup still gets exercise. Plan on leaving some extra time for walks since they will likely be moving slower than they used to.
There are products worth investing in as well. You can look online for product reviews from vets for products to help your aging pet around the house. For example, a quality dog ramp can help your dog get up and down furniture and in and out of the vehicle without putting extra stress on their joints. Using elevated water and food bowls can reduce the strain on their neck, and heated beds can do wonders for relieving muscle and joint pain. Moreover, if your dog gets to the point where they are struggling to walk, consider putting non-slip mats in your home to provide extra traction.
And just because your pup is older doesn’t mean that pet-proofing should fall by the wayside. You still want to take proactive measures to keep your dog safe. This includes keeping electrical hazards out of the way, chemicals out of reach and small objects off the floor.
Consider CBD Oil
In recent years, CBD oil has emerged as a legitimate solution for pain, discomfort, and anxiety. And many dog owners are finding that it works great for their pups, particularly those that deal with muscle and joint pain. As with other products on the market, however, all CBD oils are not created equal. Before making a purchase, it’s important to do your research and consider factors such as ingredients and whether the product is full or broad-spectrum. As with any treatment, be sure to discuss CBD oil with your vet before giving it to your pet. Bear in mind that not all veterinarians agree with CBD for pets, so hear your doctor out and listen to their concerns.
CBD can also be a great solution if your pet is picking up on your anxiety. Many times, we carry our work and personal stress home and don’t recognize that it is affecting our pets. But it does. If you notice that your dog is scratching a lot, is urinating more frequently, or is exhibiting significant mood changes, they may be feeling your anxiety. We can’t always eliminate our stress, but we can help relieve our pup of some anxiety through CBD oil until the high stress situation is over and we can both relax.
Once your dog reaches their golden years, it’s critical to make any adjustments necessary to foster their health and well-being. Consider the tips listed here for going to the vet, administering medications, making lifestyle adjustments to your dog’s routine, and using CBD oil. It might require a little extra time, energy, and money. However, we all know that the joy and companionship our furry friends provide makes it well worth it!
We know our pets won’t be with us forever, so we do what we can to enjoy our lives together and make them comfortable in their golden years. But it can also be nice to have beautiful portraits to remember our fur kids once they're gone. Springs Pet Portraits strives to capture the spirit of your pets in every photograph. Visit us online to see our work and to schedule your session today.