How Do I Care for an Old Dog? Tender Loving Care and the Best Pet Bed

Dogs do not age the same way humans do. Human years to dog years is seven times as fast, making one human year equivalent to seven dog years. As your furry friend starts to age, their needs begin to change as well. Dogs typically enter their senile years from the age of seven years. During this time, you must pay closer attention to changes in behaviour, habits, and even changes in the body. Likewise, elderly dogs should also be given more gentle and supported care. 

Feeding and Appetite 

Like humans, a dog’s appetite slows down over time. Sometimes, you may need to cut down the amount of food you give compared to when your dog was younger. Some old dogs lose their appetite as they age though some do not. Even so, their appetite is not a sign for you to keep giving the regular amount of food. Your dog’s digestion and metabolism slow down, and this can result in certain digestive discomfort or even rapid weight gain. 

Grooming and Cleaning 

An old dog’s skin and coat are not the same as when they were younger. Your dog will require gentler care in terms of the products you use and how they are being groomed. You may need to pay more attention to their skin and check the ingredients of the products that you use, like shampoo, soap, conditioner, powder, and perfume. Consider using moisturizing shampoos that help old dogs who tend to have dry skin. Also, check for natural ingredients that provide gentle care and cleaning. This is also when you constantly have to check and clean areas that often have dirt or bacteria build-up. These include the eyes, ears, and in between the paws. Keeping these areas clean will help you avoid infection and pest infestation. 

Physical Changes 

Even if you try to give as much care to your dog, one cannot avoid natural changes in the body that may affect your dog’s quality of life. You might notice that your dog cannot play as much and keep up with a younger dog’s energy. Arthritis is not just a condition for humans. A lot of old dogs experience this together with joint pain. Depending on the severity, bringing your senile dog to the vet is always a good practice. If there is any inflammation, your vet will likely prescribe anti-inflammatory medication. However, joint pain is very typical for aging dogs. This would mean that getting him down the car will not be as easy, or even getting him up the stairs. The best thing that you can do is to provide your furry friend with ramps, or if you can, try to carry them to spare the pain. 

Joint pain is not just a common problem of old dogs. If you see your dog accidentally bumping into walls or miss spotting their toys, you may check-in with your vet if they already have vision problems. It would be safer to know this ahead of time to avoid having any accidents. A simple sign that you would immediately is aggression. If your dog gets easily surprised when being touched, likely, they no longer see as well as they used to. This may also occur together with hearing problems. If you know that your dog responds to specific calls or commands but no longer does, hearing problems may have started already. Remember that our dogs rely heavily on their senses, which means losing any of these will significantly affect how they live. Once your dog enters their senior years and these signs of aging start to show, try to avoid accident-prone areas. An open front door or gate, pools, and busy streets are also some of the places that you may want to veer away from to protect your old dog. 

Living Space and Home 

An aging dog requires more support and comfort than ever. Dogs are animals who seek a place of their own. If you notice that your dog always hangs out in a specific area for your house, this is their safe space. For your old dog, you’d want to provide them with as much comfort as possible. Senile canines do not just need soft and plush beds; they need more functions that support their needs. Having a soft yet firm bed will allow your dog to rest and sleep without dealing with a cold hard floor. This would be better for dogs who are already experiencing joint pain. You would also notice that your dog will start to get cold easier. Always do your best to keep your dog warm using blankets or have a safe fireplace that would be helpful during the winter season. Be prepared to clean up your dog’s mess constantly. During the latter years of a dog’s life, they may experience the inability to control their bladder and sometimes even stool. This is where waterproof or easy-clean things in the house become extremely convenient. 

The Perfect Dog Bed for Your Old Dog

Since your dog is already aging and you want to provide them with the best care possible, Ambient Lounge came prepared. Our luxury dog beds suit every dog’s need, old dogs. Our pet beds are soft yet still firm to give your dog optimum comfort and support. You do not even have to worry about having the right size because pet beds come in various sizes for small up to extra large dog breeds. With Ambient Lounge pet beds, you can, and your dog can sleep through the night knowing that the pet bed can provide added warmth with the help of the faux fur top. Though if it gets freezing, you can always add in an extra blanket. 

We know how difficult it is to clean up a dog’s mess. If this happens while on the bed, you need not worry as our dog beds are waterproof, and you can easily hose it down or wipe it off. The faux fur top is also easily detachable, which means that you can remove it and give it a gentle wash. 

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of things to think of when caring for an elderly dog. As a fur parent, you would often get worried if your old dog is comfortable or if they are in pain. You think about proper feeding, grooming, and regular vet checkups. Ambient Lounge understands the dilemma, and as our way of supporting you in your role as a dog owner, we make sure that you no longer have to worry about keeping your dog comfortable at home. With Ambient Lounge luxury pet beds, your dog’s comfort is only one click away.

Click here to check out our line of pet beds.