Super Senior: Preparing for Your Dog’s Golden Years

As your canine approaches its senior years, it’s only natural for it to experience behavioural changes and perhaps require different lifestyle needs. Apart from making regular trips to vets in Singapore, here are 4 ways to prepare for the golden years of your dog.

Decreased Digestion

As your canine ages, it may experience digestive issues. Should there be a decrease in your pet’s appetite, it’s recommended to first consult your vet, to find out the root cause. At the same time, it’s advisable to reduce the serving size while increasing the frequency of its meal, to allow for improved digestion.

Away, Cavities!

Source: Dog Quality
Dental health for dogs is important, more so in its senior years. Elderly dogs are more prone to dental decay and gum disease, which can lead to sensitivity and pain. These issues may then lead to a decrease in your pet’s appetite. Hence, it’s essential to ensure regular teeth brushing sessions with the appropriate tools. If necessary, schedule an appointment with a professional groomers to conduct a thorough oral examination.

Just Keep Swimmin’

While your pet may not be as active, regular exercises are still important, to maintain its muscle mass and lubricate joints. Less rigorous activities such as hydrotherapy for dogs are highly recommended. Not only is this activity not as stressful, it enables senior dogs in partake in physical exercise. Activities aside, consider incorporating joint strengthening supplements into their diet.

However, if your dog is exhibiting severe joint difficulties, such as limping, refusal to walk or favouring a particular leg, consult your vet to determine the cause. Remember, your older dog doesn’t have to deal with daily pain.

Love Above All

Your best fur-iend needs you more than ever. Hence, it’s essential that you continue to shower it with love and attention. Just from your presence, your canine will feel reassured, safe and comforted.

While you may not be able to halt your pet’s ageing process, your presence and assistance will help it do so in comfort and ease.