Caring for Old Dogs

When your dog starts to get older there are a couple of things that you will need to change in your dog care routine. Usually you will notice that your dog will start to get older around the time that it turns eight years old. There are a lot of things that you will need to do when caring for old dogs. For example, you will not only need to change the things that your dog eats, but you will also need to change some things in your dog's routine. Here are some things that you need to in order to care for old dogs:

• Lower intensity exercise: One of the things that you will need to do when caring for old dogs is to have lower intensity exercise sessions. Of course, you will not want to stop exercising with your dog, but you should not have as intense of exercise sessions. If your dog is starting to look really fatigued and tired while exercising, then you should really stop the exercise session. You probably will spend less time running with your old dog, and you will find that walking with your dog is sufficient exercise instead. You know your dog best, and you will know what exercise level your old dog is able to handle.
• Switch to senior dog food: Another thing that you need to do when caring for your old dog is to switch your dog to the senior formula dog food. The reason why you should switch to senior dog food is that it is specially formulated for older dogs - there are also fewer calories in senior dog food, but there are also a lot of nutrients so your dog gets a balanced diet. However, if your dog is on a special diet, then you should consult with a vet before switching your dog over to a senior diet. In addition, it is important to remember that you should make sure that you switch your dog over to senior dog food gradually - an abrupt change in diet can disrupt your dog's digestive system. Some of the premium senior dog food diets that you might like to give your dog are Iams, Eukanuba and Science Diet.
• Medical conditions: It is important to know that when you are caring for old dogs that you need to watch for medical conditions which may arise. Older dogs have more feeble bodies and they are more susceptible to different medical conditions. Here are a couple of things that you should watch for, which may be an indication of some kind of medical condition: weight loss, a change in sleeping patterns, a change in urine color, trembling and sleep pattern changes. If you notice any of these medical symptoms in your old dog, you should contact your vet right away to see if your dog might have a medical condition or problem.
• Grooming for older dogs: When you are grooming your older dog, there are a couple of things that you should watch for at the same time. For example, you should watch for strange bumps or unusual skin conditions while brushing your dog's fur. You should also watch and see if your dog is starting to lose hair. When you are brushing your dog, look and see how much hair is falling out too. When caring for old dogs, you also should stress good dental care. If you take good care of your dog's teeth, you will help prevent any problems with gingivitis or tooth loss.
• Go to the vet twice a year: Another important thing to take care of old dogs is taking your dog to regular checkups with the vet. It is a good idea to take your dog to the vet about twice a year for a checkup. Regular "senior checkups" with the vet will ensure that your older dog is going to stay happy and healthy.

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