Golden Years: 5 Essential Care Tips for Your Senior Dog

1. Targeted Nutrition for Senior Dogs

A well-balanced diet tailored to the specific needs of aging dogs is crucial for their overall health and longevity. As dogs age, their nutritional requirements change, and it’s essential to adjust their diet accordingly.

Protein-Rich Diet: Senior dogs benefit from a diet with high-quality, easily digestible protein sources. White meats like chicken, fish, or pork are often recommended over red meats, as they’re easier on aging kidneys while still providing necessary nutrients. Especially if your dog has kidney or liver disease, discuss any diet changes with your veterinarian before making any decisions.

Calorie Management: Older dogs typically have lower energy requirements, making them prone to weight gain. Carefully monitor your senior dog’s calorie intake to maintain a healthy weight and reduce strain on their joints. And, control your dog’s portions as they age – free-feeding is known for packing on the pounds.

Supplements: Consider adding joint supplements containing Omega 3s, glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM to support healthy cartilage and reduce inflammation. These supplements work best when started early but can still benefit dogs with existing arthritis. CBD is also a great pain management and anti-inflammatory supplement. Just make sure that whatever CBD product you use is human-grade, third-party certified and full spectrum. We like CBD Dog Health’s Heal products and their mushroom tinctures for senior dogs. Also discuss supplementation with your dog’s vet or specialist to ensure they do not interfere with any pharmaceuticals.

2. Regular Exercise

While senior dogs may not have the same energy levels as their younger counterparts, regular, exercise remains crucial for maintaining their physical and mental well-being.

Low-Impact Activities: Opt for gentle exercises like walking, swimming, and light play sessions. These activities help maintain muscle tone, joint flexibility, and overall health without overusing joints and causing discomfort.

Tailored Exercise Plans: Consult with your veterinarian to develop an exercise routine that suits your dog’s individual needs and limitations, especially if your dog is considered overweight or obese. For many seniors, multiple shorter walks daily may be more beneficial than one extra long session.

Physical Therapy & Rehab Services: Consider professional rehabilitation services, such as water treadmill therapy and accupuncture, which can provide low-impact exercise while reducing stress on joints and muscles. Laser therapy, while not exactly physical therapy, can also work wonders on sore and tight joints.

3. Enrichment for Cognitive Health

Keeping your senior dog’s mind active is just as important as physical exercise. Mental stimulation can help slow cognitive decline and keep your pet engaged and happy.

Interactive Toys: Provide puzzle toys and treat-dispensing games that challenge your dog’s problem-solving skills. These activities not only offer mental stimulation but also strengthen the bond between you and your pet.

Training Sessions: Continue reinforcing basic commands and even teach new tricks. This mental exercise helps keep your dog’s mind sharp and provides quality bonding time.

Sensory Experiences: Introduce new scents, textures, and gentle sounds to stimulate your dog’s senses and keep their environment engaging. A dog walk is a great place to let you dog’s senses go wild. From hearing the sounds of the school bus to smelling the freshly mowed grass, walks are sensory play for dogs!

4. Quality Rest and Sleep

As dogs age, they often require more rest and may experience discomfort during sleep. Ensuring your senior dog has a comfortable sleeping environment is crucial for their overall well-being.

Orthopedic Dog Beds: Invest in a high-quality orthopedic dog bed that provides proper support for aging joints and muscles. This can help prevent pressure sores and improve sleep quality. Big Barker Beds are the only clinically proven orthopedic dog beds. While their large beds are nice, they can be expensive. We like their crate liners for use as beds and assure you they are better than most any dog bed on the market!

Quiet Resting Areas & Routines: Create peaceful, easily accessible spaces where your senior dog can retreat for undisturbed rest. Try to have a bedtime routine that is predictable and consistent so your dog knows when to settle in and when to be active at night. Sleep hygiene is important for every being, including our dogs.

Temperature Control: Ensure your dog’s resting area is neither too hot nor too cold, as senior dogs may have difficulty regulating their body temperature because of their accelerated loss of fat and muscle.

5. Veterinary Visits, Bloodwork & Dental Care

After a certain age, your dog should be getting biannual senior panels to check his or her liver and kidney function and catch any signs of illness as early as possible. Discuss with your veterinarian when your specific dog should go from annual visits to biannual visits and make sure you stick to the schedule.

Don’t forget to keep your senior on a dental care regimen including annual dental cleanings. While many pet parents are concerned about putting their dogs under anesthesia after a certain age, the risk of infection and related illness due to dental disease is much greater than a reaction to anesthesia, especially when a pet is deemed healthy enough to undergo sedation.

Supporting Aging Dogs

By implementing these strategies for targeted nutrition, gentle exercise, cognitive enrichment, quality rest, and regular veterinary care, you can significantly enhance your senior dog’s comfort and quality of life. With proper care and attention, you can help your faithful companion enjoy their golden years to the fullest.

The Grey Muzzle Organization is an excellent organization to support if you’re looking to make a monetary donation this holiday season. They fund the purchase of orthopedic dog beds and a whole lot more for homeless senior dogs around the country. Their 2025 calendar also makes a wonderful gift!

At Animal Admiration, we know how to care for senior dogs. Our team is trained on the changing needs of aging pets and how to keep them safe, comfortable, and happy as their aging process progresses. If you have a senior or special needs dog, count on us to care for him or her in the comfort of their home. There is truly nothing better for a senior dog than to stay in their favorite spot and receive one-on-one attention and care.

New clients, please contact us at info@animaladmiration.com or (281) 391-1015 to learn about our in-home pet care services. Our team of outstanding cat care providers offers quality care dog sitting, cat sitting, and dog walking in Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Energy Corridor, Memorial, West Houston, and Cypress.

Existing clients schedule your cat sitting visits here. We look forward to providing exceptional care for your senior dogs!