Celebrate senior dogs: Keeping our companions comfortable

It’s national senior pet month. A month to celebrate all our older companions. But also a month to look at what our pets actually need at an older age. Because what makes them comfortable? And what kind of training can you still do with your dog in the senior years? We’d like to dive deeper in the possibilities and challenges.

Every senior dog is different

For every breed it’s different, but most of our dogs live for around 12 years. Some might live way longer, while others have a shorter life span. Even though we try to do everything we can to care for our dogs, there’s no perfect way to care while they grow older. Every dog is different, every situation is different. But fortunately for us, there are some ways we can help them live a long and healthy life. Think of health checks, comfort in and around the house and exercises.

Keeping our dogs comfortable

For a senior dog, comfort is something that can be lacking. Older dogs sometimes need more rest than we’re used to. It’s important to have a place in your house where the dog can relax and where it’s quiet. You can, for example, have a separate room in your house where the dog has his or her own soft, cosy dog bed. Make sure that if you have other dogs in the house, they can’t go into that room when the older one is there. And make sure that your dog has everything within reach. Its water bowl, food and toys can be as close to his or her bed.

Comfort is also about the floors and where your dog has to go to the toilet. Floors can be a real issue with senior dogs. If the floor is slippery, you can put a rug or carpet where the dog walks. Make sure the carpet will reach to the door, so your dog can go out to potty whenever he or she needs. This can become more frequent when the dog gets older. So make sure you can give the dog access to outside. With seniors accidents can happen in the house. Don’t be mad at your dog! It might be inconvenient, but your companion doesn’t like it either.

Appropriate food for the older age

Senior dogs require a different diet than younger and more active dogs. It varies within breeds and sizes what the dog really needs. When the dog reaches his senior years, he or she can benefit from changing to a diet that’s designed for that age. The food provides the right nutrients, which can help with aging and health issues. Always monitor how much your dog is eating or drinking. If there are any changes in their habits, there can be underlying medical reasons for a sudden change. If that’s the case, you should make an appointment with the vet.

Changing the needs for every dog

Senior dogs can slow down in their daily routines and walks. But they still require exercise like every other dog. If your dog is in dog sports, you will see that they are still willing to do that sport. You can adjust the sport to the appropriate level and you will both enjoy what you’re doing. Also take your dog on walks, let them explore the environment and do things to stimulate the brain. The body might not be willing to do a lot of exercise anymore, but with a lot of breeds their mind keeps going. Enough mental stimulation will help the dog get tired. During a short obedience training session you can already do a lot of games which helps them train and use their brain!

Having enough exercise can give a lot of benefits for your senior dog. It can slow down the aging, helps them to stay on the right weight and can prevent health issues. If you notice that your dog is stiff or has trouble with doing certain things, you can adjust your surroundings. Use a ramp for the car or for stairs for example. And always talk to your vet about your concerns. There might be some simple tricks to help the dog be as comfortable and active as possible.

What would you do?

Senior dogs might slow down and have different needs than younger four-legged friends, they are some of the amazing dogs you’ll ever own. They love your attention, are still willing to explore the world with you and still need your care. It can be hard sometimes, but just remember that your dog loves you more than anything and needs you till the end.