The US is a pet-loving country. A recent survey by APPA National Pet Owners states that around 70% of households have pets under their roof. Among these pet lovers, more than 69 million have dogs in their houses.
As a dog owner, you know how much joy and companionship your senior dog brings to your life. Naturally, you don’t want to think about their life ending. But as their age increases, it’s necessary to realize that you can do things to keep them healthy and active throughout the rest of their lives.
Here are some effective tips to keep senior dogs busy and active throughout their life:
Pay Attention to Your Dog’s Health
Your dog is not likely to tell you when he’s feeling sick; it’s up to you to ensure your senior dog stays healthy by paying attention to signs of illness. If your dog seems lethargic or shows any signs of pain, take him or her to the vet immediately. Don’t wait until the last minute. Don’t assume that because your dog is older than usual, he won’t get sick, and don’t assume that because you are old, you can ignore warning signs in him or her.
Add Senior Supplements to Their Diet
There are a few key supplements that you can add to your dog’s diet to keep them active throughout its life. These supplements are designed to help with weight control, joint pain, digestion, and skin health. In addition, memory support supplements can also help improve cognitive function in senior dogs.
The demand for nutritious pet food has risen drastically. As a result, the pet health care industry expects the market to reach approximately $325.74 billion by 2028 globally.
If a senior dog has gained a significant amount of weight over the years, it is a good idea to start adding in some extra exercise and supplementing their diet with some weight management tablets or powder. There are plenty of options out there but read reviews before purchasing anything. Some products have been known to cause serious side effects like vomiting or diarrhea. However, PetCareRx is one such name on the list you can rely on for ordering the best supplement for your senior dog.
Keep Their Minds Busy
Your senior dog’s mind should never be idle. Senior dogs need plenty of mental stimulation to stay healthy, just as much or more than their younger counterparts. If a dog is bored and doesn’t receive enough mental stimuli, its health can suffer significantly.
They may lose interest in the things that used to make them happy, like walks or playing catch with you on the lawn. They can become depressed and even anxious because they don’t have anything new and exciting happening in their life anymore. If your senior dog starts acting differently, it could be because they’re bored or under-stimulated by their environment.
Play With Other Dogs
Whether your dog is a young puppy or an older dog, it’s important to socialize with other dogs so that they are comfortable around canine companions. The best way to do this is by taking them to a local park or dog run where they can interact with other pups. If you don’t have access to such an area, try playing fetch in your backyard while they engage with each other through sight and smell alone.
Try New Activities
One of the best ways to keep your dog active and engaged is by introducing new activities they’ve never done before. It can be a new toy, treat, or even a different way of walking them around the block. For example, take a different road or area when walking with your senior pet.
New experiences are a crucial part of life for all dogs, not just seniors. Their curiosity will help them enjoy trying new things. Remember, don’t start with something too difficult for your dog, like taking your pet along hiking on a mountain.
Get a Good Bed
A good bed is necessary for comfort. The right size and material will also keep your dog comfortable. In addition, a good bed should be supportive, easy to clean, and have temperature control.
The right material for the bed depends on the activity level of your senior dog. It should be supportive, easy to clean, and the right size for your dog. For example, if you have a senior dog that has arthritis and needs extra support, getting a foam bed might be helpful. These beds are also great for keeping their body temperature regulated because they hold heat well, so it’s comfortable even in colder temperatures.
Clean Up Poop Regularly and Prevent Parasites
Cleaning up your dog’s poop is one way to be proactive about preventing parasites and other diseases. However, it is also a good idea to ensure that you pick up any poop right away, as it can attract flies and other insects that could cause harm to your senior dog.
It’s a good idea to invest in a pooper scooper so that you don’t have to use your hands when cleaning up after your dog, especially if he has been sick recently. You should also avoid leaving dog waste on the ground where children or other pets may come into contact with them later on.
Monitor Their Vision and Hearing
As your senior dog ages, you’ll need to monitor its vision and hearing. If they have hearing loss, consider getting them a hearing aid. If they have vision loss, get them a doggy cane to get around safely without bumping into things. It’s also necessary to check their eyes regularly for signs of redness or discharge, which could indicate an infection or irritation in their eye(s).
Maintain a Schedule at Home
Keeping a schedule for your senior dog’s daily activities can help you with what needs to be done. For example, you’ll know when it’s time to feed them, walk and play with them. If you have set times for these activities, it will feel more routine and less stressful for your pet. In addition, they’ll be able to anticipate when they will next happen.
You’ll also need to set aside time in the day for other important things like taking your dog to the vet and grooming appointments, cleaning up after them if necessary, etc. This way, you and your pet will be on the same page regarding making sure nothing slips through the cracks.
The Best Way to Keep Your Dog Healthy is to Keep Him/Her Active
Keeping your dog active is the best way to keep your dog healthy. Regular exercise helps keep their joints and bones healthy, improves their digestion and mental health, reduces boredom and anxiety, and helps them sleep better at night.
The above tips will help your beloved dog to be active and happy. Remember, the most important thing is to keep it fun. Interactions like these can be great for dog owners and their pets. Dogs love to play and interact with humans and other dogs. It can be a great way to bond with your pet.
