7 tips for keeping your older dog fit

The older your dog gets, the more care and support he will need. For example, your dog may develop joint problems or dental or heart problems. As a result of an aging dog’s increasing ailments, his activity may decrease and even his behavior may change. It is important that you keep a close eye on this, so you can start supporting him when needed. In this blog we will tell you what common aging dog ailments are and give you 7 tips to support your dog.

When is my dog “old”?

Your dog is starting to turn a little gray around his muzzle and you notice that he is a little less active than before. But at what point is a dog really a senior? It is sometimes said that a dog year is equivalent to 7 human years. However, this is not quite correct, as a dog reaches maturity relatively much faster than a human. Moreover, how old dogs get varies by breed and size, and thus when a dog can be called “senior. For example, larger dogs generally age less than smaller dogs, so they are also more likely to exhibit age-related ailments. The average age at which your dog can be considered a senior is around age 7.

A dog’s aging ailments

Older dogs, like older people, suffer from aging ailments. Walking becomes more difficult and everything becomes a little stiff and rigid. Stiffness in your dog also makes it harder for him to get out of his basket in the morning and because of aches and pains, your dog may feel less like walking or playing. 1 in 5 dogs will suffer from osteoarthritis in the process. Osteoarthritis is wear and tear on the joints, resulting in pain and stiffness. Reduced activity, a slower metabolism or less appetite may also cause your older dog to gain or lose weight.

Fatigue and coughing are aging ailments in dogs, but can also be signs of decreased lung or heart function. Does your older dog drink more often and/or need to urinate often? This can indicate various diseases of the kidneys and liver, among others. Therefore, always consult a veterinarian in these cases.

Moreover, as your dog gets older he may also start to behave differently. You may not notice this at first, but it can eventually cause a lot of frustration. Fearful behavior, aggression toward other dogs/owners and being unzipped are some examples. Behavior problems can arise because a senior dog feels less vital, but it can also have underlying causes such as an illness or disease. Therefore, if your dog experiences sudden changes in behavior, it is always smart to discuss this with a veterinarian.

7 tips to support your older dog

We all want our dog to grow old as fit as possible, but as your dog gets older he will probably suffer from some aging ailments. These ailments come with age and cannot all be prevented. What you can do, however, is to support your dog as much as possible.

1. Get plenty of exercise

Long walks and hours of play in the park may no longer be in the cards. But to keep your dog energetic and happy, it is important to keep him moving. It is not uncommon for dog owners to start doing less with their senior dog because walking seems more difficult and the dog seems to have less need for exercise as a result. The dog’s joints may be a little stiff, but exercise actually keeps the joints supple! So, even if you have an older dog, make regular time for a nice walk through the park or in the woods.

2. Walk less long, but more often

Your older dog’s energy level is lower and he may be slowing down. It is important to match your dog’s exercise to his energy needs. To avoid straining the joints, it is better for your older dog to go for a small walk around the block several times a day instead of taking one big walk.

3. Make your older dog comfortable

Getting older is associated with having less energy. An older dog sleeps more, moves less and, because of the decrease in energy, is somewhat unable to maintain his body temperature. Taking care of good comfort is therefore extra important for an older dog. Provide a warm place to sleep, plenty of water bowls, keep your dog warm when it is freezing and provide adequate cooling in hot weather.

4. Avoid stress as much as possible

It could just be that your older dog is stress gets from things that never bothered him before. Older dogs can have somewhat quicker anxious behaviors as vitality generally declines. This can be due to things around your dog such as fireworks, thunderstorms, other pets, busy children or other pets. Try to reassure your dog, and avoid this stress as much as possible.

5. Counteracting parasites

Due to the declining vitality of an aging dog, your dog faces a decreased resistance. Due to lower resistance, older dogs are more susceptible to parasites such as fleas, ticks, mites and worms. Parasites are very annoying to your dog, which is why structural treatment against parasites is essential in older dogs.

6. Dental care for older dogs

Proper dental care is very important throughout your dog’s life. In older age, dental problems are more common. Regular brushing of your dog’s teeth, structural dental cleaning by the veterinarian and feeding kibble instead of canned food are preventive treatments for dogs. In addition, you can support your older dog’s teeth with a supplement based on a special type of algae. This product naturally contributes to healthy saliva, supporting the condition of gums and good breath.

7. Supporting your older dog with supplements

In addition to proper care and adequate exercise, you can also support your older dog from within with herbs and supplements. For example, it helps devil’s claw to keep your aging dog moving smoothly by supporting your dog’s joints. In addition, devil’s claw also contributes to good digest. Another supplement that is great for older dogs is Glucosamine-MSM. Glucosamine is produced in the body and is found primarily in joints, cartilage, tendons and synovial fluid. As a dog ages, it makes less and less glucosamine, which can cause various symptoms. Glucosamine is mainly used when a dog suffers from stiff joints and is therefore ideal for supporting your senior dog.