Caring for Dogs in Their Golden Years
It seems as if suddenly the spray of gray whiskers appear on your dog’s muzzle, and his/her hearing is not as sharp. Your dog’s vision clouds as they start to slow down in their daily play and walks. As hard as it is to accept, your beloved dog is now a senior! As a dog ages, there are some changes to their care that will help them enjoy their golden years filled with love.
It is important to remember that aging is not a one-size-fits-all-dogs thing. While one dog at six may start getting fussy over food, another at eight may be stiff and slowing down, while a dog at 12 may still enjoy physical activity.
Hindy Pearson, a certified dog trainer, dog behavior consultant, and pet loss grief support coach who is the founder behind CaringForASeniorDog.com, stresses to “Pay attention to any changes in behavior or anything physical that you notice, no matter how small, because it seems like a lot of people tend to assume that ‘my dog is getting older so that’s expected.’” When you start seeing that, and no matter how slight it is, it is better to call the vet and get him checked out because the sooner you catch something, the better the chance you have of curing it or at least managing it, and improving their quality of life.
Some Tips to Keep Senior Dogs Happy and Healthy:
Periodic Health and Dental Check-Ups
While it
is important to a dog’s health to have periodic physicals, once a dog becomes a
senior it is especially good to have their hearing, eyes, teeth,
gums, and body-checked to address any possible issues.
Nutritional Needs
As a dog ages, their nutritional needs
change, too. While
there is a wide variety of foods and treats for senior dogs ranging from
pre-packaged to raw, discuss with your vet what type of diet and treats are
best for your senior. Be sure to ask him about adding any vitamins
and joint supplements as well.
“Pay
attention to any changes in behavior or anything physical that you notice, no
matter how small, because it seems like a lot of people tend to assume that ‘my
dog is getting older so that’s expected.’”
~Hindy Pearson, Certified Dog Trainer,
Dog Behavior Consultant, and Pet Loss Grief Support Coach &
Founder of CaringForASeniorDog.com
Low-Impact Exercises
There are
lots of ways to have fun! Just because
your dog is getting older does not mean s/he wants to stop going for walks or
hiking, but it can be challenging for some as the years go by. Pearson
notes that all exercises should go according “to each dog’s
ability.” She recommends, “If your dog is having difficulty
with walking, there are low-impact exercises to do to keep them active for
their own happiness and health. It has to be tailored to your dog’s ability. A
lot of people feel like if their dog has arthritis, it is not good to walk. But
it IS good to walk. Break it up into shorter 10 to15 minute sessions throughout
the day. Swimming is great. There are things you can do in the house, like roll
a ball instead of throwing it so he still has to walk over to it instead of
run…play hide-and-seek, find hidden treats.”
Mind Games
“Mental stimulation keeps their minds active,” notes Pearson. “It prevents boredom, and believe it or not, playing with a treat-dispensing toy or interactive toys, even redoing some training like sit or paw… all those things get them to use their brain and helps burn off excess energy as well, and there is no issue if your dog does have some mobility problems.”
Get your old dog a great comfy orthopedic bed to help her/him ease the stress on their aging bones.
Network
Socialize with other senior dog parents. For ones you know, you can meet up for walk dates. Prefer online? Join a dog group that caters to older dogs, such as Pearson’s Senior Dog Care Club on Facebook. It’s a great way to share thoughts, concerns, and give support to one another.
Photograph Your Dog!
I can't emphasize this enough! Take photos of your dog as s/he ages, not just puppy pics. There is a beauty and grace all of their own as they mature. These photos will be wonderful reminders of all the fun you shared, and those memories one day will become visits for your heart with your beloved dogs.
For lots more great tips, tune in to my FiveSibes “The Sibe Vibe” 2-part special on “Caring For A Senior Dog” with Hindy Pearson. Part I can be heard at: https://dogworksradio.com/the-sibe-vibe-caring-for-a-senior-dog/ and Part II at: https://dogworksradio.com/caring-for-a-senior-dog-part-2-with-hindy-pearson/. Also available on iTunes (under the Dog Works Radio family of shows), and the Podcast app on iPhone and iPad.
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Article originally published in 4Knines September 2019, Updated February 2022.
About the Author (That's me!)
Dorothy Wills-Raftery is an award-winning photojournalist and author of EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy; the FiveSibes™ Tales children’s books: What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy and Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness; and Buddy, the Christmas Husky~Based On A True Holiday Miracle books (ArcticHouse Publishing), as well as the FiveSibes.com, an online encyclopedia for the Siberian Husky breed and Canine Epilepsy information, as well as her international award-winning FiveSibes blog, based on the lives of her five Siberian Huskies. Her work has also appeared in AmericanPet Magazine, Ruff Drafts, The Sled Dogger, and Hudson Valley Paw Print Magazine. Dorothy is the writer and host of her award-winning "The Sibe Vibe” Dog Works Radio show.
Dorothy is an 11-time Dog Writers of America Association “Excellence” nominee, winning the prestigious Maxwell Medallion in 2019, 2017, and 2016 for her fiction, writing, photography & design.
Dorothy was also awarded The Grey Muzzle Award by The Grey Muzzle Organization for "Excellence in writing/media of the plight of at-risk senior dogs" on her show “The Sibe Vibe” broadcasted on Dog Works Radio and iTunes. Her book EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy received the 2018 Independent Press Award for “Excellence” in the Reference Book category and 2017 NYC Big Book Award for “Excellence” in the Animal/Pet book category.
Dorothy was also named “Best Author” in 2015 & 2016 by Hudson Valley Magazine and all four books named “Best in Print” by AmericanPet Magazine.
An official International Purple Day® for Epilepsy Ambassador since 2012 and a volunteer case manager for The Wally Foundation-Canine Epilepsy, Dorothy is the creator of the #FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness campaign and partnered with Purple Day® Every Day presented byThe Anita Kaufmann Foundation for #Paws4Purple Project, both inspired by her own epileptic Husky, Gibson. You can follow Dorothy and her FiveSibes on Facebook at FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews, on Twitter and Instagram (@FiveSibesMom).
Such great tips-thank you for sharing. Senior years are special times spent with your fur-loves.
ReplyDeleteThose were good. When we had doggies it seems as if they aged and went down hill overnight.
ReplyDeleteThat is very good information...senior dogs are so sweet, even though sometimes it's hard to care for them, it is very worthwhile.
ReplyDelete