Three Ways To Make Life Easier On Your Elderly Dog

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Older dogs can live healthily and happily, but they often require a bit more care and attention from their owners than do younger dogs. If your dog is 10 or older, there are a few things you should start doing in order to enhance their comfort and make life easier on them. Here are some examples.

Give them a joint supplement.

Almost all elderly dogs have some degree of arthritis, which makes it painful for them to walk. An easy way to ease arthritis pain and make your elderly dog more comfortable is to give them a joint supplement. Usually, these come in the form of treats, so you can just give it to your dog once a day out of your hand. 

There are two important ingredients to look for in a joint supplement for older dogs: glucosamine and MSM. Glucosamine is a compound found naturally in the body, but that is lacking in the joints of older dogs. It helps increase the cartilage in the joints to reduce arthritis symptoms. MSM also helps stimulate the formation of new cartilage.

Don't overfeed them.

It's definitely tempting to spoil your dog with a lot of treats, food and human food. But it's important not to let your elderly dog become overweight, as the extra pounds are hard on their joints. Feed a dog food made specifically for older dogs, and read the label to ensure you're feeding the right amount for your dog's size and age. (Many owners over-feed their dogs.) Limit your dog's treats to one or two a day, and choose smaller treats over large ones. Do not let guests and kids give your dog people food. Not only will it boost your dog's weight gain, but it may also irritate the digestive tract, which can become more sensitive with age.

Keep everything in the same place.

If you can avoid it, don't move your dog's bed, food, and other items. Older dogs' senses, including their senses of smell and sight, sometimes begin to diminish. If the items they rely on move, they can become disoriented and frustrated. You may also want to avoid moving any large furniture in your home if you know that your dog's senses are waning. After all, you would not want your vision-impaired dog walking straight into the couch or table!

With the strategies above, your older dog will have a more pleasant life in his remaining years. For more information, contact a service like Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital.

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27 July 2017

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