7 Easy Ways to Make Your Senior Dog Feel Like a Puppy Again

As your pup ages, their physical capability may decrease. However, that doesn't mean that they can't continue to enjoy a high quality of life! By providing your dog with the right items, materials, and solutions, you can help your dog continue to exercise and enjoy life despite their physical limitations. Do you want to help your senior dog feel like a puppy again? Try some of these great strategies.

1. Use dog stairs to help them get up on high furniture

As a puppy, your dog was able to bound straight from the floor to your bed or couch. As they age, however, those simple tasks may become much more difficult. Jumping up and down can be very hard on the joints--or your pup might lose the strength to make the leap, especially if you have a small dog or furniture that sits high off the ground.

Dog stairs and ramps can make jumping up on the furniture easier for your pup, easing pressure on aging joints and decreasing the odds that they'll suffer an injury in a fall. Consider installing dog stairs near the furniture your pup uses most often so that your home will become pup accessible again.

2. Using an orthopedic dog bed that will help support their frame

During their puppy years, it may have seemed as though your furry companion could fall asleep anywhere. As your pup ages, however, they may need more support for their aging joints. Orthopedic dog beds help relieve pressure on the joints and keep your dog more comfortable. Not only does that mean less pain when they're lying down, that support can help increase flexibility and improve mobility once your pup gets up, making them feel younger and making it easier for them to exercise and play--which, in turn, will help keep them active longer.

3. Feeding them a healthy, nutrient-rich diet

As your dog gets older, ensuring that they get the right nutrition becomes more essential than ever. Senior dogs may need a senior-specific formula that is designed to be lower calorie, which may help prevent obesity as your pet gets older. In addition, many senior dogs may have specific health concerns that can impact their diet, including heart disease (which may require lower-sodium formulas) or liver or kidney disease, which may require a specific diet.

Talk to your vet about the best nutrition for your senior dog. You may need to change your formula based on the changing needs of your aging pet. In addition, be prepared to continue to adapt your pet's diet as needed. Keep in mind, however, that you may need to make changes gradually in order to avoid digestive upset.

4. Keeping up with regular dental cleaning

Regular dental cleanings can help avoid plaque buildup and gum disease in your pet just like they can for you. Not only can plaque create bad breath and cause tooth decay, it can help prevent dental pain and even prevent organ damage. The bacteria that causes the formation of plaque can enter your dog's bloodstream, where it can cause damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys. As a result, your senior dog can become very sick very quickly. Keeping up with regular dental cleanings, on the other hand, can help protect your dog from potential danger.

Look for a tooth-cleaning solution that is as comfortable for you and your dog as possible. Choose toothpaste specifically intended for dogs, since human toothpaste may contain compounds that dogs should spit out. If necessary, you may want to schedule regular tooth cleaning with your vet.

5. Providing a supervised exercise space for your dog

Senior dogs need the same opportunity to run and play that younger dogs do. However, they may become tired more quickly. Make sure your senior dog has plenty of room to run and play in a supervised, safe environment. That may include things like:

• Removing any dangerous objects, like glass, wire, or sharp objects, that could increase the risk of injury.
• Making sure that there are no hazardous chemicals stored in your backyard where the dog could get to them.
• Watching out for bugs and other hazards that could make your pet sick.

Make sure you have a secure fence around your dog's outdoor space so that he can't get out. A senior dog may have a hard time getting home again if he ends up a long way from home. In addition, make sure your dog has access to food, water, shade, and shelter so they can remain comfortable.

6. Offering regular baths and grooms

Regular baths and grooming can help keep your pet's coat soft and fluffy and may help protect the skin from potential irritations. In addition, you may want to have your dog trimmed before the hot summer months, since a senior pet may have a harder time maintaining their temperature and staying cool as the heat rises. Make sure you use high-quality grooming supplies that won't irritate your senior pet's skin.

7. Loving them!

Your senior pet needs your love and affection every bit as much as they did when they were a puppy, and spending quality time with them should be even more essential. Make sure you're still making time to love your pet and spend time with them. Get out in the yard and play, go for walks together, or cuddle up on the couch on a regular basis. If you want a strategy that will make your senior pet feel like a puppy again, one of the best strategies you can use is simply spending quality time loving on them.

Your senior dog is a member of the family, and you want to make their golden years as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Luxury pet products can help make your pet's life easier, reducing pressure on aging joints and providing help and support as your pet ages. Want to learn more about how you can brighten these senior years? Contact us today for more information about our luxury pet products.