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Step 1
Take your dog to see the vet regularly. No matter how knowledgeable you are, you can't keep your senior dog healthy all by yourself. You need to work with your vet to stay on top of any health issues or chronic conditions that your dog might have. It's incredibly important that you take your senior dog in for regular checkups to help catch small problems before they become bigger problems.
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Step 2
Adjust your senior dog's diet. Make sure your dog is getting the proper nutrients. You don't necessarily need to change your dog to senior dog food unless your vet recommends it. The regular dog food comes packed with the nutrients your senior dog needs. But you need to keep its diet regular so it gets the vitamins and minerals it needs. If your dog develops health conditions, you may have to change its diet to accommodate those needs.
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Step 3
Give your senior dog plenty of exercise. While your senior dog still has control over its muscles and joints, make sure it gets the exercise it needs. Take it for daily walks and make sure it gets its heart rate up to the necessary level for optimal health.
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Step 4
Watch your senior dog closely. Check its eyes to make sure they are properly cared for. It may experience eyesight changes and have a lesser ability to see in either bright light or darkness. Watch for cloudy eyes to make sure they don't impede vision. Check your dog's ears to make sure it can still hear appropriately. Some hearing loss is expected, but watch for significant hearing changes.
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Step 5
Keep your dog mobile. Senior dogs' bones become more fragile, and their cartilage becomes worn. They are also more likely to experience loss of muscle. Make sure your dog stays mobile as long as possible and eats plenty of protein and calcium for strong bones and muscles.
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Step 6
Maintain your senior dog's mind. Keeping its mind healthy is as important as anything else. Play with your dog, and talk with your dog to keep your dog's mind functioning well.
