Taking Care of an Invalid Dog

Old or Sick

An invalid dog can be a dog that is sick, or one that is simply suffering the effects of age. As dogs become older, they will start to show symptoms of age. They may become less active and suffer from stiffness in the joints. They may avoid extreme temperatures; for example, they might not want to go outside when it's extra cold or very hot out. They will begin to loose their hearing, and some dogs will lose fur. The fur might also become thinner and less lustrous, with gray hairs appearing around the nose. Older dogs also suffer from digestive issues.

Dogs who are sick or injured have some of the same issues as older dogs; most namely, a lack of mobility, a delicate stomach and an aversion to extreme temperatures.

Care

Caring for an invalid dog first means making them more comfortable. You need to make sure the dog has a soft, easily-accessible bed. If the dog is used to sleeping upstairs with you, but finds it difficult to go up the stairs, try encouraging him to sleep downstairs with a new, soft dog bed or allow him to sleep in a child's room downstairs. Give the dog plenty of time to wake up in the morning, allowing him to work out the stiffness in his joints before his morning walk. Let him set the pace on the walk, and try to end it before the dog tires.

To encourage fur growth, brush the dog even more frequently than before, taking care to be gentle if the dog is injured. If she is sick, provide her with plenty of water, as sick dogs can become dehydrated very easily. Make sure she can easily drink out of the water bowl. If she is injured, it may be difficult for her to stand up and drink. You may have to place water in a saucer rather than a deep bowl.

Dogs who need medication will usually take it quite easily in pill form. However, if you have trouble getting a dog to eat her medicine, try stuffing it inside of a piece of a hot dog or other soft dog treat.

Food and Accidents

Invalid dogs tend to gain weight quite rapidly, unless they sick with digestive issues. This is due to their lack of mobility. If you notice your invalid dog gaining weight, you should decrease the amount of calories he is consuming. Any extra weight on old or sick joints will cause pain in the dog and make it even more difficult for him to move. Switch from calorie-laden dog biscuits to fresh fruit as a treat.

In addition, do not punish an invalid dog if he lapses in his house training. Sick or old dogs will sometimes have accidents and may need to be reminded to go outside to urinate. As soon as a sick or old dog awakens from a nap, encourage her to go outside. If she is really suffering from incontinence, consider using a baby gate to block access to areas of the house that you would like to keep clean, such as a formal living room.

Finally, make sure you have a lot of patience and take every opportunity to shower your invalid dog with love. If you find you don't have the time to spend with her, consider hiring a dog sitter to come in during the day and give her extra attention if you can.