If you have been growing up with your dog, then you’ll know how precious they are and how much you should take care of them as they grow older. Some people get dogs when they are very young so it is difficult to imagine life without them; however, taking care of them during the senior phase of your life must be your number one priority.
Just because your dog is now in its senior years doesn’t mean it can’t stay golden! The fact that you are reading this article is a great start to helping with them as expert research is the key to success. Lucky for you, we have compiled a list of the most effective ways you can keep your senior dog healthy and happy. Stick around to find out some more about them.
Feed them senior dog food
One of the best things you can do to keep your dog healthy is to feed them good, nutritious food. Experts recommend that you should wholly cater your dog’s diet to their age, as they require different nutrients and vitamins as they grow older. An age-appropriate diet is essential as it helps balance and maintain your dog’s weight and health. This is certainly something to consider!
One of the more popular diets to feed your senior dog is that of raw food which helps protect and enrich their immune system. As your dog is growing older, it is up to you to ensure they are getting the vital nutrition they need to keep their bodies healthy. Let’s discuss some of the benefits of senior dog food, particularly within the raw food variety.
Firstly, you can expect senior dog food to boost their immune system in different ways; the nutrients and vitamins found in the raw food and help protect their heart, joints, bones and brain. This is vital when it comes to making sure your dog is staying strong and healthy through its senior phase. A second benefit is that raw dog food aids and improves digestion. With this, you can expect their digestion to ease with time, and their bowels to be healthier than ever. Thirdly, you can expect your dog’s coat to become glossier which is a difference from the dulling of the coat that can sometimes come with age.
One of the best benefits of senior raw dog food is that it results in higher and improved energy levels for your dog. As they grow older, they might not have as much energy as they used to. This is why we have to preserve all the energy they have for when it’s really needed. Raw dog food will give your dog a spring in their step! We recommend that you try this as your dog’s diet is the foundations of their health, especially as they grow older.
Prioritise visiting the vet
More often than not, life gets far too busy to tick everything off of our daily and weekly checklists. Sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves and do the things that need doing each day. However, when it comes to taking care of a senior dog, you have to be prepared to take some time to take them to the vet for check-ups every so often. How often you take your senior dog to the vet largely depends on their overall health and the amount of help they need, but some experts recommend that you take them for (at least) one annual check-up.
You should make sure you keep your dog up to date on their vaccinations, general check-ups and medications too. This can make a huge difference in the quality of your dog’s senior life! If you are wondering when you should consider taking your dog to the vet, this really depends on your thoughts and feelings about any potential issues. Ideally, it is best to use your judgement in these circumstances but if you are in doubt, then it is best to head to the vets as soon as possible. In general terms, you should take your dog to the vet if you notice any changes in weight, habits, mood and behaviours. These issues may require closer or even immediate attention in some circumstances.
Ensure they get enough exercise
Whether you have rescued your senior dog, or you have watched them grow next to you your whole life, you must stay vigilant of their energy limits. It can sometimes be a bit harder to determine the limits of your senior dog as they might be very energetic one day and then stay on the sofa the next. This is why you need to make yourself aware of their habits and behaviours, so you don’t expect the worse as well as expect too much from them!
Even if your dog doesn’t have much energy to get into the swing of things each morning, you should still make sure you help them reach daily exercise goals each day. If you are worried about making some exercise goals for your dog, you can usually get professional and affordable advice from a vet or another expert. This will help you understand your dog’s needs and limits to help them along with their exercise routine.
More often than not, senior dogs love to keep up their energy and get excited about walking every day. Rather than taking your dog out to the garden, you should match their energy levels and head out a longer walk. However, just stay mindful of their conditions! Top tip: remember that senior raw dog food can boost your dog’s energy levels and help strengthen their joints, so this is a great option to consider if your dog is needing a boost.
Go easy on them
Last but not least, you will find that keeping your dog healthy is simply a matter of going easy on them and staying on their level. Don’t expect too much from your senior dog as you might find that they can’t do the same stuff and reach the same heights they used to. Being aware of their limits is a very good place to start.
More than anything, you must give your dog undivided attention. Now that they are older, they will want some more love and kindness from you, and it is up to you to ensure you give them enough. Keeping them happy with enough comfort, cuddles, toys, treats and attention will do wonders for their overall health.
Final thoughts
Overall, there are many different ways you can keep your senior dog healthy and happy. This article has discussed only several tips from expert research. With that being said, you should try your best to cater to their needs and requirements. Understanding your dog is only the first hurdle in their senior life, but you can make all the difference.
Taking care of their diet, attending the vet when needed, keeping them well-exercised and energetic and giving them some love, and attention will do the trick. Just remember that your dog’s diet is the primary factor affecting their overall health. Life with a senior dog doesn’t have to be hard if you make the right decisions!
