subject: Tlc For Older Pets [print this page] Pet owners place a great value on the companionship of their beloved dogs and cats. So much in fact, that people are willing to take extreme measures to ensure that their pets are as taken care of as they are. But as they age, dogs especially will experience more health problems than they did when they were younger.
Through the course of these paragraphs, you will get a good look at a few different aspects of this general topic. You are going to get some good things to do to take care of your aging four-legged friend. We'll also discuss a few of the more common problems that dogs experience as they mature. Hopefully this will help you to recognize potential health problems so that you can get help early on.
Choosing the food that your dog eats as they age will be a very important step towards keeping them healthy and strong. You see, as your dog gets older, you will find that there are special blends of foods that are enriched with very specific vitamins and minerals that can help your dog stay strong and stay healthy throughout their golden years of life.
This also means that you are going to have to keep a mindful eye on the amount of food that they are eating every single day. While you are still going to want to get them regular meals, you are not going to want to overfeed them, as this can be very detrimental to their health in the later years of their life. Just like people, if they take in more calories than they use, they'll become overweight. Life is uncomfortable for any creature who can't get around easily because he's too heavy.
A good dog owner is aware of some of the conditions that dogs are likely to face as they get older. Being able to spot these or prepare yourself for their possibility could be beneficial for both you and the animal that you care for. Almost all dogs get arthritis at some point in your life. Did you dog used to follow you everywhere, but now he doesn't want to go up and down the stairs frequently? It is difficult for him to get up after he's been laying still for a while? Your vet can prescribe something to make him more comfortable. Make sure you conduct a complete pet insurance comparison now so that this kind of expense will be covered later on.
You might find that their coat is starting to suffer as a result of the age that they have reached. You might be able to get supplements for them that can improve the thickness and health of their coat. This can get rather patchy as they get to be senior dogs, and it starts to be ineffective in its purpose.
No matter how well you take care of your pet, eventually their vision and hearing are going to suffer. This calls for alteration of their lifestyle and your expectations. You may need to approach them more slowly and make noise as you do so. A dog that is surprised is likely to nip at someone. Keep their bed in a comfortable spot and make it easy for them to get around your home.
The dog that has been such an important part of your family for years has given you the very best of himself. You need to focus on taking care of it as much as it has cared for you throughout its life. This starts with your constant consideration of dog health and well being.
