My dog is getting old: what accessories does he need?
First, you may notice a few gray hairs on your dog’s head, then a not-so-successful jump landing. A loving owner notices the signs of a dog’s aging gradually. To keep an older dog strong enough in their golden years, they may need additional accessories. There are many lists of essentials for puppies on the Internet, but when it comes to caring for a mature pet, there are few such checklists. The good news is that this list is short and just a few simple things can make life a lot easier for an aging dog.
Dog aging symptoms
Dogs age differently, so your first step is to look for common and unique dog signs of aging.
You can understand that a dog is aging by the following signs: weight gain, slow reactions, hearing and vision impairment, and joint problems. What many people don’t realize, however, is that symptoms such as bad breath, puddles in unexpected places, lumps, and excessive shedding can also indicate the transition to old age.
It is impossible to say exactly how old dogs age. When it comes to aging pets, age is just a number. According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, some dogs show signs of aging as early as six years of age, while others are ten years faster than puppies. It depends on the breed and conditions of the animal. In order not to wonder how to understand that the dog is aging, owners must carefully monitor how the behavior and coordination of the movements of the pet changes, and understand such changes. Aging can come on suddenly or develop gradually.
Senior dog care and necessary accessories
For dogs that are just starting to show signs of aging, dog ramps or ladders are great tools to help your dog get in and out of cars, and get on and off beds and couches. If you start using these accessories early in the aging process, you can reduce the stress on your dog’s joints. If you decide to buy a dog such a device, be sure to show him what to do with it. This will help your pet understand its purpose and avoid injury from misuse.
It is also a good idea to provide good lighting in the house and in the surrounding area. Since your dog’s eyesight may deteriorate with age, it’s best to walk him on a shorter leash to guide him and avoid tripping.
A few accessories for older dogs worth getting:
- Orthopedic Dog Bed – Minimizes the impact on aging muscles, joints and bones.
- Waterproof dog sleeping bag. It can be used just in case to make cleaning easier. If you have problems with your kidneys or urinary system, be sure to consult your veterinarian.
- Rugs used for training puppies when accustoming to cleanliness. They should be kept near the doors and sleeping places of the dog in case trouble happens.
- Rubber mats or underlays for areas of the home where slippery floors may be present.
- Night lights in all rooms to help a visually impaired dog navigate the house at night.
- A shorter leash to keep your dog closer to you on the walk.
- Protection for paws – ointment and / or special socks with rubber soles.
Purchasing these accessories as your dog ages will help him live his golden years more fully, and make life easier for you. And while your adventures may now be a little less noisy and lengthy, you and your four-legged friend can still enjoy life to the fullest. Each stage of a dog’s life is associated with a certain combination of pleasant moments and problems, but one thing is invariable: the dog is the best friend who appreciates every moment spent with the owner!
