How to Look After a Senior Dog
This is Rudi. He was our dog for 14 years. He passed away 10 years ago this December. You can just about see the white around his face. An old man, he would have been 98 in dog years. We know how tough it is to lose a beloved family dog.
I also know what it's like to watch a once boisterous, bouncy dog full of energy gradually wind down and turn grey. Your love for them, however, never wavers. You want them to live happily and comfortably for the rest of their life. But caring for a senor dog can be a challenge. There's a lot more involved with it than you might have thought.
It's not all about sitting back and watching them grow old. As their eyes still glimmer with love for you, and for life, it's never been more important to make sure your elderly dog is cared for unconditionally. Here's everything we did for our very-much-missed senior dog, Rudi, in his final few years:
Monitor their health moving forward
Of course, you're going to be monitoring their health throughout their life. You want their quality of life to be as good as it can be. Part of that, especially as they enter the senior phase in their life, is to make sure they're going for check ups.
It helps to monitor things like their weight, energy levels, eating habits, dental care and other health-related factors. This means you're armed with the most up-to-date, relevant information which can aid in their care moving forward.
Feed them senior dog food
You might not think that there's a lot of difference between senior dog food and adult dog food, but there is, much like there's a difference between puppy food and adult food. Senior dog food is easier for their tummies to digest and it also adapts with the nutritional needs of your senior pooch.
Keep them hydrated
Make sure that their water bowls are filled up constantly with fresh water. You can't force it down their throat, I get that. But constantly providing them with a water source is paramount for their health. I recommend bringing a collapsible bowl and a bottle of water with you on walks. This means that, even on the go, your senior doggo can always have a drink. Fill their bowls up with fresh water every day to minimise the risk of bacteria and germs entering their system.
Consider relocating their food & water bowls
Move their food and water bowls to somewhere more accessible. Even if this means raising them off the ground slightly. This means that they won't have to use their joints as often and it also makes it easier for them to digest their food and take on hydration.
Make the home more accessible for them
This involves making a range of changes to their overall comfort. Swap their bed out for something bigger, softer and with more padding. This helps to relieve pain on the joints. Imagine having to sit on a hard floor if your joints ache! Non-slip surfaces are also easy to install on existing flooring.
This makes it easier and less stressful for your senior pup to get up as and when they want to. Also ramps will allow your dog to access their favourite spots without leaping or straining. You can get ramps that go up the stairs, that allow access to vehicles and that ensures effortless access to the sofa.
Keep exercise gentle
As much as a dog loves a good walk, you need to tone it down a bit when it comes to your elderly dog. Much like an elderly person, they just can't go as far or as fast as they used to. While you can still walk your dog to keep their mobility up, keep it gentle. Go for a short walk and choose soft terrain, if possible. Maybe drive your senior pooch to the park and then walk them along the grass, for example.
As much as you think walking is the last thing they want to do, they will always want to go with their favourite human to stretch their legs, no matter how old they get. It's great for keeping their joints and muscles active. In turn, they'll find it easier to walk up ramps and get up off the floor.
Protect them from the weather
An elderly dog will not be able to cope with extreme weathers, whether hot or cold. In fact, no dog can really withstand it. Keep them indoors with cooling aids (or provide them with plenty of shade when outside) in the summer, only walking them in the evening when the sun goes down. Never leave them outdoors in the winter. If you take them outside, pop a coat on them, no matter how fluffy they may appear.
Keep them groomed
It might not seem like much, but how good do you feel after you've received a bit of pampering? Keeping your elderly dog as comfortable as possible is paramount, and that often comes with grooming. It prevents knots and clumps of fur from forming, which can pinch and stretch their skin, for example.
It prevents the build-up of excrement, especially if they're experiencing some tummy troubles or are having more accidents in their old age. It also keeps their nails clipped and ears clean, which is important in terms of their health.
In addition, groomers may uncover something that will need to be brought to the attention of the vet, such as lumps. If certain ailments are hiding under overgrown fur, then no one will know about it. Grooming your senior dog offers more benefits than you might have otherwise thought.
Provide them with a quiet environment
As dogs get older, they're looking to be more restful and stress-free. Make sure they have somewhere quiet and comfortable to go so that they can relax and get some rest. This is especially important if you have a busy family. Leave that quiet, comfy spot accessible to them at all times. This way, they can go off on their own accord and get some rest-bite.
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I hope you found this blog post useful? Let me know in the comments below how you're looking after your senior dog in their final years and I'll see you all again soon with some brand new content.
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