Is you dog starting to go a little grey? Don’t worry, here are some top tips for you to implement to ensure your furry friend continues to enjoy a good quality of life, even as they navigate their golden years.
If your dog is going a little grey in the muzzle, they may be entering the senior stage of their life. Despite the physical signs of aging, it doesn’t mean you should expect an immediate change in their abilities or behaviour. However, slowly implementing the following tips will help to prevent nasty surprises and ensures their quality of life stays great, even as they navigate their golden years.
1. Assess Daily Behaviour
You know your pet better than anyone and so will notice if there is a change or slowing of their usual behaviour. It is important not to push older dogs past their limits. If your pet demonstrates that they want to have a day in, let them. However, do encourage them to stay active – keep up your usual walking routine as much as possible. Following the regular, daily framework will keep your dog comfortable and happy.
2. Keep a Regular Bathing Routine
Unfortunately, one of the first signs that your beloved pet is beginning to feel its age is an increase in the strength of their bodily odours. Older dogs can have difficulty grooming themselves, meaning you may need to lend a hand with more regular brushings and baths. While doing so, keep an eye out for any strange lumps, bumps, or rashes to present to your vet. If your dog is becoming incontinent, regular brushing and baths become even more paramount.
3. Retain Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation is as important as physical for your dog and becomes even more so when they begin to age. Keep your senior dog active and entertained with stimulating activities such as puzzle toys and social interaction. These incentives will help keep their mind working and ensure their days are fun.
4. Adapt Nutritional Support
Older dogs have an increased requirement for certain nutritional and nutritional supplementation for senior dogs should be considered an essential building block of healthy ageing. Including senior specific supplements will help minimise the signs of growing older and enhance your dog’s quality of life.
Senior Aid Ageing Supplement contains the essential daily nutrients plus supplemental nutrients that older dogs either have an increased requirement for or do not produce sufficiently for themselves. Senior Aid has been scientifically formulated to ensure its key ingredients play their own individual roles in helping to slow the ageing process.
5. Maintain Dental Care
As dogs get older, they are more susceptible to dental issues such as gum disease and cracked teeth, which can be incredibly painful and uncomfortable. Help keep your older dogs’ teeth healthy by bringing them to the vet to perform thorough cleanings and overall health inspections.
Additionally, make sure to continue with your dental care routine. If you have not started this yet, consider the ProDen PlaqueOff® range to help to reduce and control tartar, plaque and bad breath. Available as powder, bites and bones each product is flexible and easy to use. All ProDen PlaqueOff® products contain the unique, natural, and clinically proven seaweed A.N ProDen® and work perfectly together. The range has VOHC approval and is recommended by vets worldwide.
6. Create an Accessible Home Environment
If you have a senior dog, making small adjustments to your home and their environment can have a big impact. Some pets begin to lose mobility as they age, which can be upsetting if they’ve always enjoyed unrestricted access to everything. Take some time to optimise your home for your aging pet, swapping out their dog bed for an orthopaedic option or using rugs in the slippery areas of your home. The goal is to allow for their independence while keeping them safe and preventing frustration.
Ageing is a part of life so your pet’s needs, routine and abilities will inevitably change and evolve as time marches on. Ensuring your older pets has the best nutrition, regular vet check-ups and a solid routine is the best way to give your pet a wonderful retirement.