Your baby is growing old. The small pup grew into a big dog and became a wise dog. Your four-legged baby might not have its earlier zeal, but they are still your baby, and you must not give up now. Many heartless people tend to abandon their senior puppies when things become difficult.
We believe that they do not deserve to be loved by any dogs. Senior dogs make better pets than young and unruly puppies. They are calmer, quieter, and more considerate towards children. Age makes them wise.
This article will look at ways you could care for your senior dogs. Let’s go!
When Can You Consider Your Pup As A Senior?
Before exploring how you can care for a senior dog, we must first understand what the term means. This will allow you to determine whether your dog has reached that status, which can prove crucial in the long run. Age in dogs is not a linear detail. It is a spectrum.
Smaller dogs tend to live longer compared to bigger dogs. As a result, smaller dog breeds, like Yorkshire Terriers, can be considered if they cross 11 years of age. Subsequently, medium- and large-sized dogs like Labrador Retrievers can be considered senior if they have crossed 7 years. Finally, big dogs like Great Danes can be regarded as senior if they cross five years old.
The numbers above are generalised assumptions based on usual cases. However, things can differ from case to case. Hence, take this aspect into account if you are actually planning on shifting your dog from usual care to a more specialized form of care best suited for senior dogs.
How To Take Care Of A Senior Pup?
With the basics out of the way, we can finally focus our learning on how to take care of senior puppies. In this section, we will look at some essential points that will allow you to become a better parent. Here we go!
Include Enough Playtime
The first thing you must ensure is that your dog gets enough exercise. Exercise gets the blood flowing and keeps the heart healthy. Hence, you must ensure your dog stays active, maintains a healthy lifestyle, and does not become a couch potato. Swimming is the best exercise for a senior dog.
Keep Your Pup’s Mind Sharp
Your pup needs a healthy body and a sharp mind. Age can take its toll on your dog’s psychological aspect. In most cases, people have noted that with age, their dog has become more docile and quieter. Therefore, you must ensure that your dog’s mind remains. The best way to do this is to ensure that your dog continues to solve simple puzzles. This will enable your dog to stay sharp.
Make Your Home More Accessible
As a pet parent with a senior dog, you must make some adjustments. These adjustments need not be too extravagant or robust. However, the adjustment needs to be dog-friendly. Ensure your dog does not have to go up the stairs or walk on the slippery floor. These small things can actually make a lot of difference and make the life of your senior dog better.
Be In Touch With A 24/7 Emergency Vet
As a parent of a senior puppy, you must have contacts for 24/7 emergency vet services. Hopefully, you will not need the services of the vet. Still, it is better to have the contact and not need it than to need it but not have it. Therefore, do not assume anything and keep in touch with a vet who can help you in times of need. Otherwise, bad days can be worse.
Upgrade Your Dog’s Bed
As a senior, your puppy will start spending more and more time in his bed curled up. Therefore, throw away the old bed and buy a new one with better padding. The best must be transportable and also have enough cushioning. This will make your puppy comfortable and help them enjoy their seniority in style.
The End Note: Preparing For The End
Preparing for the end will not be easy especially when it comes to your dog. However, it is an inevitable truth that you will have to accept. Therefore, instead of remaining in denial, you need to prepare for it effectively. So, understand the requirements of your senior dog and try to give what it deserves.
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