“You have been nothing but a bright light and encouraging while I lost hope for my boy. You always helped to keep him as healthy as possible. He ate and looked forward to eating up to that last morning. He loved your recipes so much.” ~Tina
“We can’t thank you enough for helping us to turn our dog’s health around. He was showing signs of pain, symptoms of arthritis and joint discomfort, and was even having trouble getting out of the house. We always tried to make the best choice on his food, sparing no expense, looking for the best brand. Dog food recalls always had us concerned. We started making his food, based on your recipes, and we noticed a difference almost immediately. We believe in what you are doing, and hope that others will learn what we have from you to help their pets live long and happy lives.” ~ Cynthia & Mike
Caring for senior dogs can be highly rewarding, and sometimes challenging.
Like humans, dogs can begin to develop age-related issues that need special attention. If you are like me, your senior dog’s age is just another reason to love him or her. It is a reflection of the time you have spent together, and the bond you have built over the years.
If your dog is suffering, that’s another story, but if your dog is simply getting older and needs some special age-related TLC, here are some things to consider.
Always work with your vet to make sure your dog gets all the medical care he needs as he ages. And remember, your dog is still your dog, even if he is getting old. He depends on you to care for him.
Here are a few issues and tips on caring for senior dogs.
Senility
Dogs can get senile too, just like humans. They can begin to become more easily confused, less confident and more opinionated. The best thing to do is be a patient and loving dog parent in this case.
Arthritis
If your dog is experiencing arthritis, s/he may look stiff during walking, or may get up more slowly. Unfortunately, early stage arthritis is not obvious to us humans. So your pet may be suffering before we even see it. Some supplements can help in these cases. Contact me for help as I have studied arthritis and mobility issues in pets. You can also see my page on mobility issues.
Changing Dietary Needs
All dogs need a healthy, balanced diet, but your senior dog may need extra consideration to help him stay strong and ward off disease. Make sure he gets high quality (animal-based) protein, vegetables and enough fatty acids. Always make any change slowly, so his body can adjust.
Appetite Changes
As with elderly humans, older pets can experience taste changes. They may not like some things they used to like, or perhaps they have trouble chewing. This is where homemade diets shine! We can create soft, highly palatable (aka tasty!) meals that will help keep your dog nourished. Let me help.
Age-Related Disease
Again as with humans, dogs may experience disease as they age. Your vet may have some suggestions about things you can do, depending on the situation. But diet is also extremely important here and in all of these scenarios. Equipping your dog with quality food — for example meat, vegetables, fruits, oils and a good multivitamin and mineral supplement — can help increase his quality of life and keep his body strong throughout his golden years. Visit my Services page and let me help you and your senior dog!
PS – Do you have a senior golden retriever? Let me help! Visit my other website, GoldenRetrieverDiet.com