(Photos by Riley)
It seems like only yesterday that your pup literally ran circles
around you when you went for walks, with lots energy to spare. Now your
dog has a hard time making it up the stairs, and the vision and hearing
aren’t as good as they once were either. Sometimes she gets confused,
yet the veterinarian tells you there is nothing seriously wrong with
her; she’s just getting older. Dogs age, just as humans do — only more
quickly. If your pet seems to be slowing down, here are some things you
can do to help.
- Watch your pet carefully, keeping track of where she is in the house. She may need assistance finding her way around.
- Watch with particular care as she climbs up or down the stairs, and
help your pet if needed. If she is small and you are strong enough, you
may need to carry her up and down the stairs.
- If you also have a younger dogs(s), walk the older animal separately
from the youngsters so the older dog can go at a slower pace instead of
struggling to keep up with the others.
- Make sure your dog is eating properly. A good super premium senior
food is an excellent choice for the geriatric dog. Don’t give her hard
bones to chew on; she may not be able to handle them.
- Never let her roam loose outdoors. When she is outside the confines
of your fenced yard she may easily become lost or become the target of a
more aggressive animal.
If you need something for your aging dog, visit our web site where you can learn what products make the most sense for your companion.
Senior pet care tips appeared on Minneapolis Dogs Examiner and is used here with permission of the author, Kathleen Riley-Daniels