How to Care for Old Dogs

As your dog gets older and older, there are a lot of specific things that you will need to do to take care of him or her. Dogs usually begin to get older and require extra care after they are about eight years old (remember, that's about 56 years old in dog years!). There are many things that you need to do to take care of old dogs, so you will want to make sure that you are able to commit the time and energy necessary to take care of your old dog. Here are some ways that you can are for old dogs:

• Feed your dog "senior" dog food: One of the ways that you can care for your dog is to switch to the "senior" dog food formula for your pet. Senior dog food is specifically formulated so that your old dog will get a balanced diet without an excess of calories. However, 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. Also, if you are feeding your dog a special diet by your vet, check with your vet before switching your dog to senior dog food. Some of the premium senior dog food diets that you might like to try are Iams, Eukanuba and Science Diet.
• Watch for medical conditions: Another thing that you need to do when you are taking care of an older dog is to watch for medical conditions. You should watch for any changes in your dog's behavior - especially his eating or sleeping habits - so that you can be aware of any medical conditions that are arising. For example, if you are noticing problems like changes in urine color, trembling, weight loss, or sleep pattern changes, then you should contact your vet right away to see if the problem is medical related.
• Grooming: Just like when your dog is younger, it is important to groom your dog when they get old. However, when grooming your dog, you should be aware of any strange bumps, skin conditions, or fluid in the ears while you are grooming your dog. Also pay attention to see if your old dog is losing fur. This will make sure that your dog is not having any unhealthy skin conditions. In addition, grooming should also include dental care, so that your senior dog does not lose or crack any of its teeth. Good teeth care also can help your dog to steer clear of gingivitis.
• 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. Your old dog should go 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.
• Mop up spills: You should also care for your dog by making sure that all spills around the food bowls are cleaned up. As a dog gets older, it is easier for a dog to lose its balance and not see well. Clean up any spills that may be a potential hazard for your dog. Just like elderly people, it is easy for a dog to break a bone or a hip with a small fall.
• Arthritis: There are a couple things that you should know if you are caring for a dog with arthritis. First, it is recommended that you to install a "dog gate" across your stairways so that your dog doesn't put stress on its joints by going up and down the stairs. In addition, another good thing to care for your arthritic dog is to elevate food and water bowls. This way, your old dog will not need to bend down very far.

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