How To Make An Old Dog Comfortable At Home: Senior Dog Care Tips

7 Tips To Make A Senior Dog Happy And Comfortable At Home

Sometimes, no one wants to admit this but dogs, just as people, get older. With old age come new challenges for you as an owner and new problems for your companion. So how can we make sure our eldery dog is comfortable?

In some cases, an elderly dog will become grumpier and will undoubtedly require fewer walks as times go by. That comes with a high price – they will gain excess fat and become slower. Besides that, older dogs tend to lose hair and even become anxious because they will feel that they are getting old.

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This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to a dog getting old. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to help your dog adjust to his older age. You need to help him to combat the physical and psychological problems.

With professional help and a lot of love, this period of your companion’s life can be as comfortable and enjoyable as his youth.

How to Make Sure Your Elderly Dog is Comfortable

During his elderly years, your dog’s needs will change a lot, and you will have to keep up with them. Here are some of the things that you will have to do:

1. Get a comfortable orthopedic dog bed

Part of the elderly dog care is providing a bed designed for a senior dog. Remember, an older dog will need a softer and cozier place to sleep. Orthopedic dog beds are made just for this purpose to help those who suffer from achy joints. 

Warming beds are also a popular option for a senior dog because the warmth will relieve some of the pain from his aching bones and joints. This is especially pleasant to short-haired dog breeds. 

2. Provide easy access outdoors for bathroom breaks 

With time, some dogs won’t be able to control their bladder as well and will need easy access outside, alongside multiple bathroom breaks a day to provide relief. That’s why older dogs pee in the house sometimes, although they were previously housetrained.

If you live in an apartment and can’t provide him with easy outdoor access, you should consider investing in dog pads or try out the doggy lawn, to make their journey easier.

For senior dogs that are used to only going on grass, pee pads might not work, and they are not very eco-friendly either. But the Doggie Lawn is the perfect combination of both the dog’s preferences and what’s best for nature.

3. Avoid stairs if possible 

When dogs get older, they tend to lose muscle mass, and they don’t have the strength to go up flights of stairs. Because of that, you should try and minimize their movement up and down the stairs. 

Another problem is staying stable or keeping their balance while going up or down the stairs, so it’s best to be safe than cause unnecessary strain or injuries.

If you can’t keep them away from the stairs, we recommend installing a pet gate and dog proofing your stairwell. Amazon also has a variety of easy to install gates for stairways. 

4. Take shorter dog walks 

Your dog won’t have as much energy as when he was younger, and his muscles won’t be as strong. So instead of going for long walks in the park, try to shorten his time outside. 

Whatever you do, don’t give up on the walks entirely. Some of the most common old dog health problems are weight gain, muscle loss, and joint pain. To avoid all of these and keep your senior dog happy, you still need to keep him active. 

Taking shorter walks, somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes, two or three times a day is an excellent way of caring for older dog health, and keeping him mentally active as well.

5. Add supplements to their diet to improve their health

As your dog gets older, you will need to take special care of them. You will need to change their diet and adapt it to their new needs. Old dog supplements are a great way to help your buddy keep his immune system as strong as possible.

We recommend using vitamins for old dogs from Honest Paws. They have a wide array of products made just for elderly dogs:

• Mobility Soft Chews – the Honest Paws products are made out of organic hemp oil, without any additives like corn and any GMOs. This makes them great for your senior dog, as it will allow him to be more active and maintain his bones, joints, and muscles healthier much longer.
• Calm Soft Chews – just like in the product above, this one also uses natural hemp oil, without corn, GMO, and any other additives. It also contains L-Theanine, which helps every older dog relax, and Tryptophan, two ingredients that provide better sleep and lower anxiety levels. 

6. Supervise your senior dog carefully

When they get old, dogs start losing their sense of space, hearing, and smell, which can be a big problem. If you leave him without supervision outside, he can wander off and have a hard time finding a way home. So keep your eye on your old pal at all times. That can save his life.

7. Give a lot of love and affection

Last but not least, there is love and affection. You won’t be the only one who understands that your dog is getting old; he will feel it too. 

They can quickly begin to feel lonely, so spending more time with them is just as important when caring for an elderly dog. The more love and affection you show him, the more comfortable he will feel. 

How To Entertain An Older Dog

Keeping your dog’s mind clear and healthy is just as important as watching out for their physical well-being. If you want their mind to remain sharp, you will need to keep it occupied with brainer games. 

Mental stimulation will also make them happy and eager to play every day. Thus, using games for older dogs like dog puzzles, sniffing mats, IQ interactive toys, and chew toys are a great way to keep them not only happy but sharp as well. Here are some great games for older dogs:

Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Interactive Puzzle  

This puzzle works as a stimulator by luring your dog to actively find a way to get to the prize. They will need to sniff and search through this toy to find a treat. It is a great game to keep your older dog focused. Another plus is that this toy is easy to clean and maintain, which will make your life a little easier.

HETOO Interactive Dog Toy

Your senior dog will be continuously attracted to this toy because it will always smell and taste like milk. It is made of durable rubber, which will guarantee long playing hours for your friend. Playing with this toy will help him get rid of any anxiety he might feel.

Sniffiz Smelly Matty Snuffle Mat

This mat comes with five different puzzles that will surely keep your dog entertained for a long time. Playing with it allows you to interact with your furry friend, which can be a great way to bond with it.

Caring for your senior dog’s health problems with supplements and vitamins

Senior dogs often start losing their appetite and eating less and less as time goes by. That means they are not able to get all the nutrients and vitamins they need – now more than ever. 

As your dog gets older, it’s a good idea to include supplements and vitamins as well, alongside their main food and treats, to give them the helping hand they need. 

Every dog is different, and some breeds are more prone to needing supplements then others, so before using any of these products, we do recommend consulting with a veterinarian or researching your pooch.

But here are a few great dog supplement manufacturers who sell only the highest quality products, aimed at helping your canine live a long and healthy life:

• Pet Well Being – this producer has a wide array of supplements and products for the care of your senior dog. From ones focused on the health of joints and muscles to the digestive system, ears, and all kinds of heart conditions. All ingredients used in these products are natural and approved by the FDA, and loved by dog owners all over the world

• The Anxious Pet – like the name says The Anxious Pet will target all those psychological aspects your dog will have to deal with. These products include Organic Hemp Oil, Supplement bars, and tasty Chews for your senior dog. The whole pallet of products is made of purely natural ingredients, like organic coconut oil and US grown Hemp, all with next day delivery!

Conclusion: The Best Way To Give Your Senior Dog A Happy Comfortable Life

When your dog goes from being an adult to an elderly, he will require extra care and attention from you and the rest of the family. As a responsible owner, you have to do everything in your power to make him as comfortable as possible. 

You will have to take care of both his physical and mental needs. If you are looking for more advice on how to care for aging dogs, visit the Bluecross for pets website. Their experts will help answer all your questions. 

But there’s no reason why, with the right help, light exercise and mental stimulation, your dog can’t live out his last golden years in peace, comfort and surrounded by love. 

More Pet Care Tips

• The Best Big Orthopedic Dog Beds
• Best Dog Strollers For Senior Dogs
• 10 Genius Cooling Products for Dogs
• Pet Subscription Gift Boxes

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Caring For An Aging Dog: 7 Tips To Make Your Senior Dog Happy & Comfortable