Looking after a dog is always hard work, but things change significantly once they reach old age. They’ll still need all the love and attention you’ve always given them, but you’ll also be dealing with a range of new responsibilities to properly support them as they get older.
Aside from the obvious elements like regular vet visits and a good diet, there are many things you likely haven’t heard of that are just as important. In this article, you’re going to learn about three of them.
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1. Understanding Emotional Changes
Everyone knows these animals have a lot of personality, and at this point in their life, you’ll be acutely aware of what your dog likes and dislikes, as well as when they’re grumpy, sad, or happy.
It’s only natural for subtle shifts to occur: their sense of sight will start to diminish, their ability to hear will lessen, and you may find that their personality seems perceptibly different. They might be more stressed than they once were, for example, or snappier.
It’s key to approach these changes with kindness and compassion. Be gentle, and spend more quality time with them if you can; even just sitting with them for half an hour in the evening and doing nothing else can be a big help.
2. Making Small Adjustments to the Home and Their Routine
As subtle shifts in your dog’s psychology and physiology start to occur, it’s important to understand that changes may need to be made to the home and their routine to accommodate them.
For example, joint supplements for dogs are a common requirement as they age, and new treat schedules may need to be introduced so that they take them without issue (masking tablets in treats is often required). Another aspect to consider is mobility: for instance, it may be time to buy or make some little ramps for your dog to enter and exit certain areas of the house – go around the home and observe your pet in their daily life to see what would benefit from improvement.
3. Facilitating Mental Stimulation
Keeping your dog mentally stimulated is often discussed within the context of their younger days – a component of keeping them happy and preventing them from shredding stuff. It’s just as important as they get older, however.
Older dogs have a higher propensity to be unhappy if you’re not careful, so it’s crucial to keep them entertained with games, playing fetch, and hiding treats. Unless they have a specific reason they can’t play in a certain way, you should always encourage this; you most certainly can teach an old dog new tricks, and should!
There’s no need to box them into the category of old age, and you should always nurture their curiosity where you can.
Wrapping Up
Supporting your dog through old age doesn’t have to be stressful – it just requires that you modify things in subtle ways to ensure they continue to enjoy their life as they always have done. Good luck!
