What do you do when your dog gets old?

As your dog starts to age, it is also the best time to bring it to a veterinarian regularly. Feed them nutritious foods and provide a comfortable environment that they can enjoy. Engage them physically with regular exercise and give them emotional support.

What to expect when your dog gets old?

Decreased mobility & less energetic

Like older people, aging dogs start to move slower. You will notice a decrease in their mobility.

The next thing is they show less energy than they used to. They also tend to become less active physically, having difficulty moving around your house or environment.

If they exercise regularly, there will be a time when they will be less interested in doing it due to their age. As they get old, they might experience stiffness in their joints or arthritis, as well, resulting in them becoming less active.

Changes in behavior

Is your dog's mood changing as frequently as they have ever been?

Well, one of the things you should expect with old dogs is the changes in their behavior. You will usually notice that they'll quickly get irritable. 

Some dogs also show signs of getting disoriented or confused. Other dogs can develop separation anxiety in their old age as they get more clingy.

As dog owners, we must understand the changes in their behavior and be patient with them.

Health issues

As pet owners, we should expect older dogs to be more prone to illness.

With health issues, such as:

• Arthritis.
• Dental problems.
• Cognitive decline.
• Hearing and vision loss.

If left unchecked by a professional veterinarian and untreated, their organs can be dysfunctional, which can result in death. 

As dog owners, we should always monitor our dogs' health, especially when they age. 

This is why regular check-ups should be done for your elderly dogs.

5 Tips on how to help your elderly dog

Regular check-ups

As a dog owner, we are responsible for bringing our dogs to a veterinarian for a regular check-up, especially when they are older.

They have a better understanding of your dog's health. This move will also help in learning if any age-related issues have occurred as early as possible.

They can guide you on how to care for an elderly dog better. 

Nutritious diet

Feeding older dogs nutritious food will significantly help improve and maintain good health.

Try to feed them dog foods made for seniors, as these are specifically designed to meet the health demands of older dogs.

These dog foods usually have lower calories, ensuring that your dog does not gain too much weight as they start to get inactive.

Comfortable environment

Older dogs get more easily irritated, so a more comfortable environment will significantly help them.

As a dog owner, you need to adjust to accommodate their needs. Give them soft bedding, placing them in a quieter place in your home.

Their food and water must be more accessible than before, preferably closer to their resting area.

Regular exercise

Although your dog might not be as active and energetic as before, it is essential for them to maintain their mobility.

With things like:

• Swimming.
• Short, gentle walks.
• Supervised play sessions.

All these activities can help your dog keep their muscles strong and joints flexible.

Emotional support

Giving your dog emotional support is such a big deal for them.

As elderly dogs start to experience confusion, anxiety, and all the changes in their behavior, having a constant figure like you who gives them love and comfort will be a massive boost for them mentally. 

Aside from engaging them in mental activities, sticking to familiar routines can also lessen the stress that they are experiencing.