It’s not fair that dogs have such a short lifespan. So, all we can do is make life as comfortable and easy as possible for them during their years. Of course, this mainly includes when your dog becomes a senior. But, you can do plenty of things to make sure they’re comfortable. So, let’s go over some tips for making life easier for an old dog.
Tips For Making Life Easier For An Old Dog
As a dog gets older, their health will decline. For example, it might be more difficult for them to get around the house due to their joints. So, you can do plenty of things to make them feel better and more comfortable in their own home.
Keep Them Healthy
Certain diseases and illnesses might arise as your dog gets older. For example, they could have joint pain, lose their hearing or eyesight, etc. So, one of the best tips for making life easier for an old dog is to keep them as healthy as possible.
There are a few ways you should be able to do this. First, dental hygiene is essential. You should always brush their teeth and give them softer dog treats. Tooth decay and gum disease can provide a lot of pain for your doggo. Also, be sure to get their teeth checked out at the groomers or the vet.
Make sure you bring them to a grooming salon (or bathe them yourself) and regularly bring them to the vet. This will allow you to keep a better eye on their overall health as they get old.
You’ll also want to give them regular exercise. They might not be able to go for mile-long walks anymore, but you can bring them on a short five to ten-minute walk to get them out of the house. Staying active will help keep them fit both physically and mentally.
Keep Them Social
Over time, they might be too uncomfortable going to the dog park or doggy daycare. However, you’ll want to make sure that they stay social with other humans and dogs.
For example, if your dog has plenty of doggy friends from going to the dog park often, then make sure you allow them to stay in touch with those friends. Socialization is good for them.
You can bring your pup to the dog park for a shorter amount of time so that they can see their friends. You don’t need to stay for the entire time you usually would. Also, your dog doesn’t need to run around and play. Even if they lay down by your feet, they’re out of the house and get fresh air.
Teach An Old Dog New Tricks
At this point, your dog should be well-trained and shouldn’t need to learn anything new. However, it’s a good idea to keep training your dog.
You can teach them some new tricks or easy commands for them to do. Or you can reteach them things they already know. This will help improve your doggo’s memory. Also, it’ll be good for their overall mental health.
Make Sure The House Is Easy For Them To Navigate
One of the hardest things about getting older is that it might be tough to do certain things. For example, your dog might have a hard time going up the stairs or jumping up on the couch.
So, you’ll want to make sure that you move everything around so that your dog has access to their stuff on one floor of the house. For instance, if their bed is in your bedroom upstairs, you can bring their bed downstairs so that they can access it during the day.
If your dog sleeps in the room with you (either on your bed or their own), you can bring their doggy bed back and forth between the floors. Then, in the morning, bring it downstairs for them, and at night before bed, you can bring it back upstairs. This way, your dog will always be comfortable no matter where they are.
Get Them An Orthopedic Bed
Your doggo most likely already has a dog bed. However, if you notice that they’re more stiff than usual and have a harder time getting from one end of the house, it could be because of their joints.
So, go out to your local pet store and buy a new orthopedic dog bed or memory foam. This material will conform to your pup’s body and relax their muscles and joints.
Do All You Can To Help Your Dog
In some ways, you should continue doing what you’ve always done. Ensure they’re healthy, keep them social and fit physically and mentally, and ensure the house is accessible to get around safely.
