• June 1, 2022

Aging Gracefully: It’s the Life of an Older Dog

We all get older, and aging can make life difficult, even for our beloved pets. Where would we be without our pets? They make us happy. They fill us with unbridled affection. They relieve our stress. So what can we do for them? What should we do for our pets as they age? What is the best way to care for our pets so that they have a long, full and meaningful life, with the greatest comfort that we can provide them?

Take my dog ​​Buddy for example; he is getting old. It is easy to take care of them when they are young. With a puppy, you feed the dog, paper train it, take it to the vet from time to time, spend some time with it, and that’s it. However, as your dog, or any pet, ages, he must take special care of them. Your dog goes from being your faithful companion to an affectionate member of the family who needs special care. You have to start choosing foods for them that are easy to chew as their teeth rot with age due to gum disease. You have to watch their diet to make sure they get the nutrition they need. You have to be careful with overfeeding, as excess weight affects your joints. Massaging your dog will help with joint stiffness and will also improve blood circulation. In short, you need to be an informed sitter if you want your senior dog to enjoy his golden years.

Here are some tips to help you extend the life of your trusted dog as he ages:

1. Weight control: Watch your dog’s weight. Everyone loves to give their pets treats and table scraps, but as they get older, their metabolism slows down. You have to be careful what you feed them. An overweight dog is a doomed dog, no matter how happy table scraps momentarily placate your dog. Weight causes joint pain and stress on the heart, so maintain a healthy diet for your pet.

2. Exercise: Exercise is beneficial for you and your dog, but don’t overdo it. Too much exercise can tax your dog, making him listless for days. Think of it this way, you could spend time with your grandmother, going for walks, maybe even swimming in the pool with her, but would you expect her to chase a frisbee for an hour? No, her body couldn’t take it. An aging dog is the same as an aging person, they may have a desire to run and play and make you happy, and they may do it longer than they should if you let them. Watch the exercise you give your dog, too much or too little can be a bad thing!

3.Vitamins and Minerals: That’s right, just as a human needs vitamin and mineral supplementation as they age, so does your dog. Fish oil, for example, is great for the coat and skin, which becomes dull and dries out as your dog ages. Glucosamine and chondroitin can help your dog fight the effects of arthritis. Do some research and find out what minerals and vitamins your dog needs to live a long and healthy life.

We all love our pets; it’s up to us to take care of them. I don’t know what I would do without my aging dog. Buddy, he’s fourteen years old and he loves to drool all over my face. It’s his way of saying hello but yuck! The problem is that he has bad breath. It could turn fresh milk into cottage cheese in a second. I’ve seen it wither flowers in one fell swoop. Sometimes I wonder if he eats his own poop like breath mint. I guess you could say that Buddy has a high IQ, as he understands the difference between giving you his right paw and his left paw, but would take a few IQ points off if it was for eating poop. That’s not really a wise diet choice.

Sometimes it also hits you with both paws, especially when it wants to eat something. He is deaf, which makes me extremely sad, but he is an extraordinarily sweet and gentle dog, which makes me happy. He is the only dog ​​I know with sleep apnea. He always gives me that sad sack look when I eat something, so sometimes I end up sharing it with him, but I watch his weight and his diet. If he doesn’t snore, I get nervous because he stays so still. I have to reach out and shake it. Unfortunately, the arthritis is already beginning to affect his hips. He staggers when he walks. There are times when I feel terrible watching him move, he’s so slow from the arthritic pain. My chair is his favorite spot, and every day he seems to have a harder time jumping on it. For the little time that I stay with the old man, I want him to be as comfortable as possible. Here is the poem from him, and a poem for all the wonderful aging canines!

Wow, mommy and daddy dear

I love you very much…

When my hips get sore

They calm down with your loving touch…

every time i’m hungry

You make sure he’s well fed

When I spend the day sleeping, there is always

A toy and blankets on my bed.

So soft, warm and cuddly too.

It’s like I’m in heaven, believe me it’s true!

You know how much I like to sleep in your chair

But it’s so hard to jump, there’s too much pain to bear.

I walk with a wobble, like I’m wearing high heels,

My breath smells so bad it makes my milk freeze.

Sometimes you let me lick your hands and others your face,

Even after licking me in every private place.

It’s hard to get old, I can’t even stand my own mess

So I wear that stupid diaper all the time, but it’s better than a dress!

So here we are, two best friends, the best there will ever be,

One thing is for sure, we will always have each other’s loyalty.

wow ‘friend

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