Senior Dog Care Guide: Ensuring Your Dog's Health and Happiness in their Golden Years
As our loyal canine companions age, they require extra love, care, and attention to ensure they live out their golden years with comfort and happiness. Just like humans, senior dogs may face age-related challenges, such as joint pain and reduced mobility. Understanding that our senior dogs may need more patience and accommodation is crucial. As their overall health declines, they may take longer to perform daily activities, such as climbing stairs or getting up from lying down. Providing them with the necessary time and support communicates that they are still an integral part of the family. In this blog, we'll give you various tips on how to care well for your elderly dog.
Regular Exercise and Low-Impact Activities
Keeping your elderly dog active can benefit them, but it's essential to opt for low-impact exercises that are gentle on their joints. Short, leisurely walks, swimming sessions, and interactive play are great choices. Be mindful of any signs of discomfort during exercise and tailor the activities to your dog's specific needs.
If your pup has limited mobility or cannot walk, it's essential to focus on exercises that promote mental stimulation, prevent weak muscles, and maintain a sense of engagement and happiness.
Gently moving your dog's joints through their full range of motion to avoid joint stiffness or contractures may be helpful. If your dog has difficulty standing, you can provide support with a harness or sling to help them stand or take a few steps. This helps maintain muscle strength and prevents weak muscles. Always be gentle and careful while assisting your dog to avoid putting too much pressure on their joints.
Support your dog's mental abilities with games or toys
Aging dogs can also benefit greatly from mental stimulation and enrichment activities. Keeping their minds active not only prevents cognitive decline and boredom but also contributes to improving their mental health. Engage them in interactive games, puzzle toys, and hide-and-seek activities. Providing various toys and rotating them periodically can also keep them mentally engaged and interested.
Balanced Diet
As dogs approach 7 or 8 years of age (depending on their breed), their nutritional needs undergo changes, typically requiring easily digestible food and potentially fewer calories. To provide the best care, it's crucial to go beyond merely reducing portion size; senior dogs need a nutrient-dense diet, like HOWND plant based Superfood. Studies have shown vegan dogs live longer and their lifespan can be extended by 1.5 years.
In addition, providing smaller, frequent meals can also be advantageous. Selecting a complete and balanced food specially designed for ensuring good health makes certain that your loyal companion receives the precise nutrition they require. HOWND Plant Powered Superfood takes into consideration all of your senior dogs nutritional needs, supporting their overall health and well-being as they enter their golden years. HOWND Superfood contains plant-based Vitamin D3, which aids in calcium absorption and supports bone health in aging dogs. Its high protein content (28%) helps maintain muscle mass and overall vitality while being low in fat and purine, making it suitable for senior dogs with specific dietary requirements such as pancreatitis. Additionally, the inclusion of moringa provides essential protein and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy immune system and reduction of inflammation for your beloved elderly canine companion.
Unlocking the Power of Phytodroitin: Nature's Answer to Joint Health
Since elderly dogs can experience joint problems, one solution is Phytodroitin, an ingredient found within our Golden Oldies Wellness Treats. Phytodroitin is a plant-based compound extracted from green algae (specifically, Chondrus crispus, a species of red seaweed). It contains bioactive compounds that have been studied for their potential benefits in supporting joint health.
Advantages of Phytodroitin:
- Plant Based and Sustainable: Being derived from algae, Phytodroitin is a cruelty-free and sustainable option, making it an ethical choice if you care about the environment and animal welfare.
- Bioavailability: Phytodroitin has demonstrated good bioavailability, which means it can be readily absorbed and utilized by the body, making it an effective supplement for supporting joint health in elderly dogs.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Studies have shown that Phytodroitin has anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce joint inflammation and ease discomfort in aging dogs.
Regular Veterinary Check-ups
As dogs age, regular check-ups and vaccinations can become more common. Routine visits every 6 months to your dogs vet can help detect potential health issues early on, including joint problems. Your vet can provide tailored advice and treatment options to suit your dog's specific needs.
Provide Comfort and Support
Creating a comfortable environment for your elderly dog is essential. If needed, invest in a supportive and orthopaedic bed that cushions their joints and alleviates pressure points. You can also use ramps instead of stairs to help them access elevated areas without straining their joints.
Senior dogs enjoy routine. To promote relaxation and reduce stress in your senior dog, consider our Keep Calm Wellness Treats for their bedtime routine. These soft and chewy treats are specially formulated with natural ingredients, including Lavender, known for its calming properties, and Camomile and Valerian Root, which help reduce stress and anxiety. Perfect as a bedtime treat, before a car journey, or even during trips to the vet, these treats provide a soothing and comforting effect, making life more enjoyable for your elderly canine companion.
In Summary
Caring for elderly dogs requires a blend of love, attention, and informed choices. By incorporating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and exploring the benefits of Phytodroitin found in our food and treats, you can significantly improve your senior dog’s joint health and overall well-being. Remember, every dog is unique, but with the right care and support, you can ensure your aging dog enjoys their golden years to the fullest.
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in maintaining a senior dog’s health. HOWND Superfood is vet approved and is a well-balanced diet that will complement your dog's age, size, and health condition and contains joint-supporting nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and Phytodroitin. Considering nutritionally complete & balanced vegan diets, such as HOWND Superfood, can also significantly extend your aging dog’s lifespan.
