The beloved household pet has always been considered a part of the family; however, now that the majority of households are single and aging baby boomers dominate demographics, their similarly aging pets may have a thing or two to teach them about growing old gracefully.
Are you and the dog becoming more forgetful?
Just like humans, dogs go through a similar aging process that includes physical and mental changes. Like Grandma and Grandpa’s exclamation that they don’t understand “kids today,” older dogs are more complacent, less energetic and curious. They may be forgetful and sleep more, also crankiness and irritability are common – for dogs, as well.
Older dogs are more sensitive to the heat and cold, and less tolerant of changes in the environment. For example, when you leave on vacation, it’s best to keep an aging Rover in the familiarity of its own home and have a pet-sitter drop by rather than board the dog at a kennel. In particular, older dogs in hospitals and kennels may stop eating, become overanxious, or bark more than usual.
Other common milestones for aging pets include loss of hearing and sight. Tooth and gum disease is fairly common. Kidney failure and disease is more common (look for increased thirst), as well as incontinence in older spayed females.
Preventative care with regular check-ups
Once your dog is over the age of six or seven, pet insurers recommend a thorough examination at the vet every six months to ensure your pet has no illness or disease that is correctable or preventable. Lengthy gaps between vet visits may allow some conditions to worsen unnecessarily.
You know your pet best: look for any changes in behavior since you can’t normally tell if a dog or cat is in pain; they tend to hide it. Never give human pain medication to your pet unless your veterinarian specifically recommends it.
Senior-proof your home
You may need to make some modifications to your pet’s environment to help them cope with old age. A padded dog bed in a warm, draft-free area provides comfort to older, arthritic pets.
Stiffening joints and fading eyesight may mean installing carpet over hardwood floors and stairs to prevent slips and falls. Also, senior pets’ toenails will require more frequent trimming.
Joint stiffness may also prevent the pet from performing its normal grooming routine – so regular brushing is a must. Aging skin may dry out and also require additional care.
Help your pet stay fit
Loss of muscle tone and decreased activity can result in a bulkier neck and body, while the legs become thinner. Your pet may begin to avoid stairs, however regular uphill walks are considered good physiotherapy for hip problems.
Moderate exercise also helps keep the joints supple, and should be encouraged, but not beyond you or your pet’s comfort and mobility level.
Daily dental care or tartar control treats are also a must. Older dogs needs less calories; and the food should be high quality so that they still get the nutrition they need with fewer calories.
The golden years
Aging boomers and their dogs are wonderful company for each other – helping each other stay active, providing companionship, and encouraging social connections in the neighborhood. Both human and canine take care of each other, helping make those golden years as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
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