How to Care for an Aging Dog
Dogs begin to show signs of aging anywhere between 6 and 13 years. An older dog needs special care and attention.
Things You'll Need
- Dental Kits (for Dogs)
- Dog Beds
- Dog Blankets
- Dog Brushes
- Dog Dishes
- Dog Food
- Dog Leashes
- Dog Pillows
- Dog Treats
- High-quality Dog Food
- Reduced-calorie Dog Food
Instructions
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1
Exercise your older dog moderately every day. Try not to overdo it. Watch for excess panting and drooping tail.
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2
Feed him high-quality dog food specific to his dietary needs (see "How to Feed Older Dogs a Balanced Diet").
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3
Be consistent with his schedule and minimize household disruption.
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4
Pet and cuddle your dog frequently to reassure him that he is still your puppy.
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5
Groom him regularly, checking for lumps and bumps.
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6
Take him to the veterinarian at least once a year. He or she will screen your dog for kidney, liver, pancreatic and heart disease.
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Tips & Warnings
If your dog has poor sight, avoid rearranging furniture.
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Comments
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freewaysmom
Oct 04, 2008
to acb621 i have a 12 year old cocker male to -
acb621
Apr 03, 2007
I have a 15 year old male Cocker Spaniel who has lost all control in going to the bathroom. I tried doggie diapers and baby diapers to no avail since "it" didn't stay in the diaper. One day I tried wrapping a diaper around his abdomen instead of over his hind end and then putting another diaper on over his bottom, and we haven't had a leak since. Remember that if you use any diapers, your dog will need to be kept clean, which means more baths than other dogs. Use a mild shampoo so as not to irritate them.
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Apr 03, 2006
As well as the orthopedic bed, use light to moderate blankets on top of your dog at night if they sleep on the floor. Another lovely thing to do for them is to get a set of stairs from a major dog retailer so that they can still get into and out of the bed or sofa or chairs that they have grown accustomed to through the years. For smaller breeds; get/make a doggie coat for the winter months and a rain slicker for rainy weather, even for short trips out in the back yard. Another "must have" for the senior dog is "pee-pee" pads-not the disposable variety either. These are thick squares in differing sizes that are machine washable. Always have one to use, one clean, and one for emergencies. For short-term incontinence problems, take an old worn out T-shirt, cut squares to fit your pet, (as many as you can cut from one T-shirt) and place it under the female or "around" the male and change frequently to prevent infection and odor and chafing. As one gets wet, place in very dilute Clorox water and then prepare another T-shirt as above. When the first T-shirt squares are all in the bowl, throw them on a short wash cycle and dry. By the time you have gone through T-shirt no. 2, you're ready to go again. (Especially useful after surgery, trauma, or just intermittent mild incontinence) Should your dog/cat develop vision problems with aging, please keep the furniture arrangement the same so the pet doesn't accidentally run into something that could cause head trauma. If their teeth are bad and you choose not to have them pulled and cannot have them cleaned, make sure that their food has a higher ratio of water than before so that they can eat without pain from chewing. Also, "mushing up" with a fork their meals gives them a much better advantage along with the water added to their food. Keep a permanent record (or several is better) and keep them updated as to any recent vet visits, all medications your senior friend is on, any surgeries and medical conditions, and at least 2 people besides yourself that can be contacted in case of an emergency all on an organized card. Then when an emergency arises and your vet is out of town, you grab your centrally located items and off to the after hours vet or emergency clinic you go.
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Apr 03, 2006
As well as the orthopedic bed, use light to moderate blankets on top of your dog at night if they sleep on the floor. Another lovely thing to do for them is to get a set of stairs from a major dog retailer so that they can still get into and out of the bed or sofa or chairs that they have grown accustomed to through the years. For smaller breeds; get/make a doggie coat for the winter months and a rain slicker for rainy weather, even for short trips out in the back yard. Another "must have" for the senior dog is "pee-pee" pads-not the disposable variety either. These are thick squares in differing sizes that are machine washable. Always have one to use, one clean, and one for emergencies. For short-term incontinence problems, take an old worn out T-shirt, cut squares to fit your pet, (as many as you can cut from one T-shirt) and place it under the female or "around" the male and change frequently to prevent infection and odor and chafing. As one gets wet, place in very dilute Clorox water and then prepare another T-shirt as above. When the first T-shirt squares are all in the bowl, throw them on a short wash cycle and dry. By the time you have gone through T-shirt no. 2, you're ready to go again. (Especially useful after surgery, trauma, or just intermittent mild incontinence) Should your dog/cat develop vision problems with aging, please keep the furniture arrangement the same so the pet doesn't accidentally run into something that could cause head trauma. If their teeth are bad and you choose not to have them pulled and cannot have them cleaned, make sure that their food has a higher ratio of water than before so that they can eat without pain from chewing. Also, "mushing up" with a fork their meals gives them a much better advantage along with the water added to their food. Keep a permanent record (or several is better) and keep them updated as to any recent vet visits, all medications your senior friend is on, any surgeries and medical conditions, and at least 2 people besides yourself that can be contacted in case of an emergency all on an organized card. Then when an emergency arises and your vet is out of town, you grab your centrally located items and off to the after hours vet or emergency clinic you go.
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Jan 31, 2006
If your dog is pulling their hair out with their teeth, and their skin (this usually occurs on the rump) is getting scabby, it can be very embarrassing to take your dog out in public. Shave the problem area with a buzz cutter. That is what the veterinarian would do. Then apply some foul tasting, low chemical moisturizer. I use aloe, but have heard that zinc works even better.
