When you have a senior dog, watching them age can be a rewarding and sensitive time. You want your furry friend to be healthy for as long as possible and to do so, you have to develop a routine of healthy habits. Along with visiting their veterinarian regularly, there are many tasks you can complete at home to maintain and improve your senior pet’s health. Here are five tips to help you care for your aging furry friend. 

How to Take Care of a Senior Dog

1. Provide an Age-Appropriate Diet

Your dog aging requires you to make changes to their diet to maintain and improve their health. Feed your furry friend a diet that prevents weight gain since older dogs are more likely to become obese. Being overweight can increase their odds of developing heart disease, diabetes, a skin disease, and even cancer. 

2. Get Regular Exercise

While older dogs lack the energy they had in their youth, it’s still essential that they get regular exercise. While you should consult with your veterinarian to develop a fitness routine tailored to your dog, it’s generally safe to start with daily walks.

3. Maintain Their Oral Health

Brush your dog’s teeth daily as a part of their grooming routine as well as a way to keep them healthy. They should also get their teeth cleaned professionally at the veterinarian annually. Skipping out on this grooming routine can lead to various issues, including gum disease and tooth extractions. Along with brushing, give them dental treats and toys that maintain their oral health. 

4. Don't Forget the Vet 

As your pet ages, they are more susceptible to illnesses due to having weaker immune system. Most veterinarians recommend dogs visit them twice per year as they age. Frequent visits allow you to catch any health problems ahead of time and develop an appropriate treatment plan. As with human health care, it’s cheaper to prevent an illness or condition than to treat it. 

The veterinarians of Petplex Animal Hospital serve the pet community of Buckeye Lake, OH, and surrounding areas. They are a full-service animal care facility helping pets and their owners with everything from regular checkups to dental examinations, CT scans, and grooming services. They serve Heath and Newark for general services
and provide Granville, Reynoldsburg, Pataskala with emergency assistance. For more information about their specialties and services, call 740-929-3300 or visit them online.