Senior Dog Care

 Here is my article on Senior Dog Care.

Senior dogs vary considerably in age by the breed(s) in their genetics. Small breeds tend to live much longer lives than the giant breeds.  The average age for a medium sized senior dog would be around 6 or 7 years old.  I consider any time we have with our dogs over the age of ten is truly a gift.  

It’s imperative to pay extra attention to our senior dogs.  Most canines are very stoic, not showing it even when they are in pain, because in nature showing a weakness can cost them their lives.

One of the priorities with senior dogs is to keep them moving and mentally interested in life.   Softer interactive rubbery dog toys like Kong Senior and West Paw Zogoflex Toppl can easily be filled with their meals, and add enrichment to their daily lives.  

 

Keeping a lean body weight on senior dogs is especially important.  Those extra calories are not only harder on their joints, but their heart and lungs suffer as well.  Lean, fit dogs live an average of two full years longer than their overweight siblings. https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-feeding-tips/dog-ideal-weight/
Low impact exercise like swimming ( a dog life jacket is a good idea) and using a treadmill at a slow walk can be very beneficial for the senior.  

I have an article at my site describing in detail how to easily and safely treadmill train a dog. 

Basic obedience, games, or trick training using pieces of their meals as rewards are good as long as the dog can do them without being in pain. Having two people sit a few feet apart and calmly calling the dog back and forth for a few minutes while rewarding each time is an easy game that is mentally and physically very stimulating for the elderly dog.

Fresh air is wonderful for all of us.  If the dog does well with daily walks gradually increase the duration and incline of the walks if possible, taking time to rest along the way if needed.  Hill climbing done in moderation is one of the best things to strengthen the dog’s hindquarters.  Be aware the dog will be more tired on the way back, so regulate your distance carefully.

With my past Rottie X Pit mix I put a ladder over the treadmill and attached a harness support to assist her hind quarters.  She gained back much of the muscle mass she had lost due to arthritis in her spine and not using her legs as much.   She was considerably more comfortable and happy after this daily rehab.

Using an orthopedic dog bed is very beneficial, and sometimes having a dog safe heating pad as well helps keep their joints from stiffening up when the dog is resting- so it’s easer and less painful for the dogs to get up and do normal daily things.

I highly recommend upgrading the senior dog’s daily meals to a very high quality dog kibble like Wellness, Ziwi Peak, or organic raw if you choose to raw feed.   I stay away from the “diet” dog foods as I’ve noticed they often result in the dog getting dry skin issues.  Feeding a regular high quality dog food in smaller amounts often works best.   Adding a few fresh vegetables like green beans can help fill the dog up without adding a ton of calories.  Pumpkin and Summer Squash are yummy treats that add healthy fiber.   Bone broth ( low sodium version) is very good for their digestive and joint health.

Studies have shown that senior large breed dogs (7-10 years of age) generally need more protein and less calories in their daily meals.  The joint supplements glucosamine and chondroitin are often already added into senior specific foods to help keep them comfortable in their later years.

Digestive aids can be very helpful for the senior dog.   Adding prebiotic, probiotics, and digestive enzymes can really make a big difference in a senior dog’s overall health.
Our personal recommendation for this is “Bernie’s Perfect Poop”.  
A senior dog may also be more prone to parasites, so getting a negative fecal test sample yearly is encouraged.  

Sometimes a senior dog will urinate right in front of owners because they are trying to tell them there IS a problem.  Have your Veterinarian check for an infection, crystals in the dog’s urine, or other physical problems that may be attributing to the the house soiling.

When the dog is older and getting a bit senile- it’s similar to older humans who eventually need to wear diapers as their minds and bodies wear out. Fortunately, there are many good supplements for senility in dogs available now through your Veterinary clinic and online that can help. 

Belly bands and dog diapers can help with inconsistency.

Vaccinations can be very hard on an elderly dog’s system.  

Minimize vaccinations, titer first before vaccinating , or use individual vaccinations instead of group doses if possible.  Most vaccinations are still active much longer in the dog than one year.  

The Rabies vaccinations are usually the most hard on a senior dog. 

Some states may allow an exception for a rabies vaccinations if the dog was already fully vaccinated in the past, and the vaccination would be considered potentially harmful for them now.

Acupuncture, acupressure, aqua acupuncture, electro acupuncture, laser therapy, and massage can all be very beneficial to the senior dog. 

Anxiety is common in senior animals- their hearing, sight, and mobility are often all affected.  Through their hardwired genetics they understand their bodies are failing them.  Senior dogs can also get confused easily, wander off and get lost.  Senior calming supplements are available online and through a Veterinarian.

I personally recommend   CEVA Animal Health D59010B Senilife Nutritional Supplement for Elderly Dogs.

Senior dog’s coats may become matted and have more skin problems. Daily brushing can help keep their coats healthy, and we can watch for any bumps or lumps which when caught early can be dealt with quickly, with less expense to us and a greater chance of success for the dog.  

Senior’s teeth care is very important, as infections in the mouth can cause pain when eating, and the bacteria swallowed can harm to the dog’s vital organs.  Even with lifelong daily teeth brushing, a senior dog’s teeth are more sensitive and prone to infections as they age.

Keeping the senior dog’s nails properly trimmed is essential to them being able to walk comfortably.  Joints in senior’s paws can be especially sensitive, so extra care and time should be allowed during nail trimming. 

I have an entire article describing different techniques available to achieve calm nail trimming on dogs.
Avoid stairs and slippery floors, as these can be partially hard for a senior dog to navigate.  Placing area rugs down can really help, and there are traction socks with anti slip grip pads available for dogs as well.

Dog wheelchairs are available for dogs who have mobility issues.  I highly recommend them for dogs who still have the heart and will to live, but their bodies have given out.
I personally use Eddie’s Wheels in Shelburne Massachusetts. Their pet wheelchairs are well made, durable, and although custom built for each dog they are often still adjustable as the dog improves or regresses.

QUALITY of life for our senior canine companions should always come before quantity.

I highly recommend having your Veterinarian see your senior dog once a month to help monitor the dogs current medications and pain management.   I’ve found this to be very helpful especially in the final months of the dog’s life, because the Veterinarian has seen the dog on a regular basis they can better help with the always difficult decision of when is the right time to let them go. 

“The kindest gift we humans can give to our canine companions is to let them go peacefully when their bodies can no longer support them.” 🥲

More articles including  “Dog Foods and Feeding”, “Dogs and Weight Control”,  “Chew Toys for Dogs”, “Dogs,Newborns, and Young Children”, and “Pup Basic Manners Training” are available at my links below, which are open to the public and free of charge. ❤️🐺❤️

https://allbasics-dogtraining.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AllBasicsDogTrainingKimChappell/