A longer lifespan means that more owners have to learn about caring for their aging dogs. Aging dogs face different challenges, from canine arthritis to incontinence, but you as an owner can practice several aging dog care techniques to improve your dog's quality of life.
Aging dog care: dealing with canine arthritis.
Canine arthritis is one of the biggest issues that afflicts aging dogs. Some older dogs find it difficult to go up and down stairs, jump into cars or onto furniture. You can take several approaches to treating canine arthritis. Some owners use dog supplements to treat canine arthritis; either an anti-inflammatory prescribed by your veterinarian, or herbal supplements recommended by holistic health care specialists. Unfortunately, anti-inflammatory drugs can cause unwanted side effects in aging dogs, while herbal dog supplements don't yet have a lot of scientific study to gauge effectiveness.
Many dog owners choose to supplement their aging dog care for canine arthritis with other methods of treatment, such as canine massage or acupuncture. Canine massage is something that any dog owner can do as part of an aging dog care regime, in the comfort of your own home. Acupuncture requires repeated trips to a canine acupuncturist, but many dogs respond positively to acupuncture as a treatment for canine arthritis.
Making things easier for your aging dog.
You can also do a few things around the home as part of a general aging dog care regime. If your dog develops canine arthritis, you can get a small set of steps or a ramp to help your aging dog climb onto couches or beds or into cars. You can also purchase low beds or pillows that your dog can easily mount, even with canine arthritis.
Heat often helps as part of an aging dog care program, so give your dog a spot near a heater or use a special heating device for your dog's bed. It's important to remember not to use a regular heating pad or blanket as part of aging dog care, as this could be dangerous for your dog if he chews on the item or develops incontinence; make sure you use an approved system for heating your dog's bed or crate.
Incontinence: another challenge of aging dog care.
Some dogs experience incontinence as they grow older. You should always have your dog examined if he demonstrates signs of incontinence, as it could indicate serious health problems, but if your veterinarian indicates that this is just a natural part of aging dog care for your dog, you can take steps to help your aging dog. First, restrict your dog's water intake. Offer your dog water every couple of hours, but make sure you take him outside immediately so he can eliminate. You can also purchase a special garment for incontinent dogs that prevents leaking indoors, which you can use for nighttime or occasional incontinence.
 | Dog care is far more involved than most new owners realize. You'll need to figure out what to feed your dog, when to take walks, visit the vet and groom, and how to make sure your dog gets enough exercise. |
 | Understanding how to take care of a dog during the winter takes special consideration, especially if you live in an area where snow and ice are common. |
| Improvements in veterinary medicine have made dog health care more involved, but it's worth the time and money to give your dog a long and happy life. |
There's no such thing as dog breeds that do not shed, but some dogs produce a minimum of loose hair. Learn about single-coat breeds and find out which dogs are best for allergy sufferers. |
Curious how to build a dog house? This age-old rite of passage requires a few tools, some know-how and the right material. In a brief time, you can have Fido in his very own shiny new dog house. |
