Just like with humans, aging dogs can experience a wide variety of physical changes that impact their ongoing health. If you’re a pet parent, knowing how to adapt to these changes can help your senior dog enjoy a long and comfortable life. As trusted pet care providers in Lincoln, NE, the veterinarians at the Wachal Pet Health Center highlights the best ways to make your furry friend’s golden years shine brightly.

Some of the best ways to keep your mature canine in good health include:

• Visiting the Vet More Often: Senior dogs should get wellness exams every six months, so your veterinarian can track signs of aging, such as weight loss or impaired vision and hearing. Depending on the symptoms your dog exhibits, an animal doctor may recommend a variety of blood tests to screen for health conditions that are common in old age—such as kidney, liver, and heart disease. If caught early, most conditions can be managed with proper treatment.
• Refining Diet: To support the changing nutritional needs of your dog’s aging body, you may need to make adjustments to the type of food they eat. For example, foods that contain fatty acids and glucosamine can promote joint health, or, if your pup has heart disease, your vet may recommend switching to a low-sodium diet. Since weight gain can have a considerable impact on senior dog health, limiting portion sizes and calorie intake is often necessary.
• Adjusting Activity: Arthritis is a common condition among senior dogs that makes movement more difficult. To make your furry friend more comfortable, consider eliminating their need to climb stairs by keeping everything on the main floor. You might also invest in a high-quality pet bed that can offer greater support to bones and joints. While exercise is still important for your pup, you will likely need to shorten walks and choose gentler play to reduce the impact this activity has on their body.

Although navigating your dog’s senior years can require a lot of attention, you don’t need to explore the territory on your own. With the help of the experienced animal doctors at the Wachal Pet Health Center, you can provide your dog with affordable wellness exams, screening tests, and beneficial treatments.  Visit their website to learn more about available services, or call (402) 477-7877 to schedule an appointment.