How to Keep an Older Dog Young

By magic1

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Dog toys
High quality dog treats
High quality dog food
Fresh veggies, preferably organic and lightly steamed
Good quality meat such as ground turkey, emu or chicken
Several comfy dog pillows / dog beds
Dog leash and harness
Portable steps or ramp
Lots of love

Step 1:
Exercise. It’s crucial, especially as your dog ages. A daily walk for at least 20 minutes or two shorter walks per day will help your buddy’s joints stay healthy. If your town has a dog park, take your pet there regularly. Staying socialized as your dog ages is another way to help keep him/her young.
Step 2:
Make time to play--more than you think you have time for. You may have to adapt your games to less strenuous or shorter versions as they age, but play is important. You’ll both have fun.
Step 3:
Make sure their “beds” are cushy, soft and clean. Older dogs are more susceptible to drafts. To keep them warm, try an electric thermal attachment or a simple mylar-type insert inside their cushion to help retain body heat.
Step 4:
Feed them a top quality dog food. Read the label. No fillers please. The better the food, the healthier the dog.
Step 5:
Add fresh raw meat to one of their daily meals. Cut back an equal portion of dog food for the amount of meat you’ll add so you don’t overfeed your best friend. Mix cut up fresh veggies with their other meal. Rotate what veggies you use to keep things interesting. Your dog will come running every time.
Step 6:
Give them good quality dog treats. Again, read the label. Go for less fillers and more taste. Be careful not to overdo the treats. You want your dog to stay young and that means watching their “waistline.”
Step 7:
Is your dog having trouble jumping into the car or onto the couch? It may be time to get “Doggie Steps” or a portable ramp. Both are moderately priced and will make your older dog’s life much easier.
Step 8:
Give your dog lots of love. Be silly. Laugh out loud with them. Try singing,though you may find you have a “critic” that howls if you’re off-key. It’s all just another game to them. As our dogs get older, they need us more. Take the extra few minutes each day. Giving them quality food, treats, playtime and lots of love add up to help keep your older dog young.

Tips & Warnings

Most dogs love squeaky toys. When the “squeaky” is gone and the toy starts to have holes, it’s time for a new one.
Have a few different toys around. Dogs like variety so give them some.
Pay attention to the little things your dog is “telling” you. When they’re tired, don’t insist they keep playing just because you’re having fun. Cut the walk short if they start to lag behind.
If your dog’s behavior changes suddenly, talk with your vet. Don’t ignore it as it could be a sign of something serious.

More Puppy Pages

How to Give Your Dog a Quality Balanced Diet

With the recent massive recalls of many of our most trusted brands of dog food, lots of pet owners scrambled to find quality alternatives. Along the way, we began educating ourselves about pet nutrition. Good nutrition is about supporting your dog’...

Sometimes dogs are satisfied with the simplest of toys, grabbing a piece of trash to play with rather than their plush new toy. If your dog has simple tastes, you can indulge her--and save money--by making toys out of empty plastic cola bottles.

Cocker Spaniels are great companions. They are lovable, caring adorable creatures. Cockers have special needs. These are some steps to help you care for and love them.

Treats are an important part of a dog’s life and something they look forward to each day. However, not all dog treats are equal or even healthy for your dog. The following steps will help you to choose a dog treat that tastes good and is good for...

The cocker spaniel is a happy dog that requires daily exercise. While content living in an apartment, it should have a backyard to play in. This breed is great with kids and other pets, but is difficult to house-train and can bark a lot.