Things You Must Know About Your Senior Dog

Owning a dog and watching it grow from a cute little puppy to a strong adult dog is a memorable and happy period for most of us. But they will someday grow old like humans, which means they also experience age-related difficulties and sometimes aches. Unlike adult dogs, they might be unwilling to run out of joint aches, seem dull, and might have different needs. So, what needs to know to keep your senior dog happy?

Around a 7-year old dog would be considered a senior dog: According to dog life span, and for larger breeds, it will be a little sooner. They might not see and hear as well anymore, so be patient when they don't listen to you when playing fetch games. Besides, to know more about your senior dogs and keep them happy, you need to keep the following things in mind.

It's expected that senior dogs get osteoarthritis: When dog's age, the tissue around their joints could wear away, and the bones would rub together. Certainly, this will make every movement painful for dogs. Therefore, don't push your senior dogs or yell at them when they don't show any interest or seem less energetic in running games. Also, osteoarthritis could cause joint aches after long walks. Try to consult vets and find out the best joint supplements for older dogs.

Senior dogs get obese more easily: As dogs started to age, their metabolism will decrease, and they cannot burn calories like they used to. With an unchanged appetite, they could gain fat quickly. Obesity could reduce a dog's life span and increase the risk of getting cancers and diseases. So, it's recommended to take your dog to the veterinarian every six months and perform dental care to avoid gum disease. Considering their aching joints, try to reduce activity for your dog, but maintain a proper amount of exercise, like a 20-minute walk three times a day. 

They need grooming regularly: Grooming can help take away dog's dead hairs and make their coat thinner and more relaxed. For senior dogs, self-grooming becomes difficult, especially for long-haired breeds. When dog's age, their skin becomes dry and coarse; regular brushing can help keep the coat oils spread throughout the coat. Furthermore, a coconut or salmon oil supplement with meals can help improve their dry coat and skin. 

Follow a healthy feeding schedule: For senior dogs, following a healthy feeding schedule is important. WOpet automatic cat feeder can help you make pet feeding easier. You can schedule up to 1-8 meals per day, 1-20 portions per meal using the WOpet app. Moreover, thanks to its Wi-Fi functionality, you can feed your senior dog anytime, anywhere! It may be easy to accompany a dog from its puppy stage to adult age, but not in the case of the senior phase. Dogs may be just a part of your life, but remember, to them, you are all they have. Therefore, take care of your older dogs and accompany them to the last minute. 

Related Post: Do Puppies Miss Their Moms