Do you have an aging or senior dog? Does he seem to have a hard time getting around? Caring for a senior dog is not like taking care of a young puppy. Sure, he no longer has boundless energy and he doesn't require as much attention anymore, but aging dogs require special attention to remain comfortable.
Place water bowls around the house
Water is a necessity for dogs, just as it is for people. They depend on us to take care of them, so we should be able to provide this necessity and have it accessible whenever they get thirsty. Place several water bowls around the house for old Fritz, especially if you have a large house with several levels. After all, it can be a lot of work for an aging dog to climb up those stairs just for a drink of water.
Move your dog's bed out of drafts
Older dogs catch chills more often than young pups. They also need to sleep a lot more. Make Fritz's nap times more comfortable by keeping his bed in a warmer area of the house, away from drafty windows and doors.
Cover the floors with non-slip mats
Elderly dogs may be prone to slipping and they are more susceptible to injury. If you have slippery floors, you can help avoid your dog getting hurt by placing non-slip mats around the house. Also place non-slip mats in the bathtub to make bath time less scary for your aging dog.
Take shorter, more frequent walks
Fritz will be a lot happier and more comfortable if he is healthy. This means he still needs to get regular exercise, even if he is old. Take your senior dog for shorter, but more frequent walks to keep him from becoming worn out while staying active. The same goes for any other form of exercise; do it frequently but in shorter bursts.
Offer more potty breaks
Senior dogs need to eliminate more often than younger pups. An adult dog can hold it for around seven hours, give or take, but let your aging dog out more often as he grows older. By now, you should be able to recognize signs that he needs to 'go', but if not, make sure he is let outside every few hours.
Finally, just like humans, dogs lose hair as they grow older. Keep this in mind as you groom your senior dog.
Your aging dog may no longer be a young pup with boundless energy, but he still requires special attention. It takes good care to keep your senior dog happy and healthy, and he may have certain needs to make life easier. Make sure that his last few years are comfortable by following the advice above.
