March blog

By Jessica Brody
How You Can Give Your Senior Pet a New “Leash” on Life

We all wish our fur babies could stay young and healthy forever, but of course, ageing is a part of life. Sometimes there are obvious signs our dogs are showing their age, while other signs may not even be noticeable at all. To help your senior dog live his best life, pet parents need to know which issues to look out for and what they can do to address them.

Know What to Expect
When you first welcomed a furry family member into your home, you probably spent some time learning everything you could, from how to house train a puppy to socialisation and teaching tricks. Unfortunately, you don’t really get an instruction manual for what to expect in your dog’s senior years. When your dog gets to be around 6 or 7 years old, start looking for common signs of ageing. The Spruce Pet explains that these signs may include  decreased activity, greying fur around their face, and indications of hearing loss.

These signs of ageing are entirely normal for senior dogs, but don’t assume any issues your dog has are from old age alone. There could be a medical problem going on, and many times these issues can be treated and your dog can resume a perfectly happy life.

Helping Your Senior Dog Thrive
Once you’ve ruled out or treated medical concerns, you can explore different ways to help your dog feel his best. Senior dogs have different needs than when they were younger, which is why changing up your pup’s care and routine can make all the difference.

• CBD Oil Supplements - You may have heard of the benefits of CBD oil for humans. Our ageing pets can reap the same benefits, including alleviating joint pain and inflammation, resolving skin issues, and helping with anxiety and phobias. CBD oil supplements are still a newer option, so it’s a good idea to check out this CBD buyer’s guide to get a feel for the top 10 CBD oils of 2019. This can help you determine if one might be a good solution for you dog. As with any supplement, you should always talk to your vet first.
• Dietary Changes - Changing your dog’s food isn’t always necessary, but there are some key differences in your dog’s overall health that a senior formula can help address. Older dogs start losing muscle mass, and at the same time, their protein stores are depleted faster. This is why a higher protein content is one common component of senior dog food. Senior dog food is also formulated to be easier to digest and may even include supplements for joint health.
•  Activity Level - Even though it’s normal for older dogs to slow down some, they still need physical and mental activity. Physical activity is necessary to keep them from becoming overweight, which can make problems like arthritis harder on an older dog. The blog Dog IDs recommends taking leisurely walks and giving your dog plenty of time to sniff along the way. And don’t assume that you can’t teach your old dog new tricks! Learning a new trick is the best way to engage your dog’s mind, and it may even bring out the puppy in him.
• Consider a New Companion - This solution isn’t right for every family, so make sure it’s right for you before adding a new dog or other pet to the family. If your pet already has health issues, especially conditions like dementia, bringing in another animal may not be best. But if your pet is social and doesn’t have problems that would make this more of a challenge, giving him the right companion may help him regain some activity and age healthier.

You know your dog best, so always use your own judgement, along with the advice of your vet, before making any big changes. This is a crucial stage in your dog’s life - and one that requires special care. The right solutions can make all the difference in helping your pup live his best life for years to come.