Daily Exercise for the Older Dog
September 23, 2009
Just because you have an older injured dog doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t need some exercise! Even if your dog has some mobility issues you can still plan on daily exercise with your aging dog.
Exercise As Therapy
You can improve the mobility of your senior dog with some forms of exercise. For example, many vets and holistic practitioners recommend swimming as an ideal exercise for dogs with mobility problems. Swimming tones the muscles and provides great exercise without putting pressure on injured joints. Even dogs who use wheelchairs and carts can often go swimming. If your dog enjoys water at all then give hydrotherapy a try! Read more
Choose the Right Bed for Your Older or Injured Dog
September 23, 2009
If you’re concerned about the mobility of your older injured dog, then one of the best things you can do for him or her is to look into getting a good orthopedic bed. Not only are these beds usually more comfortable for your senior dog but they can also help your dog’s mobility by ensuring that he doesn’t injure himself getting up and down.
Choosing A Bed
If you’re considering an orthopedic bed for your dog there are some important factors to keep in mind. The most important consideration will be the mattress. Some orthopedic dog beds have medical grade foam while others have box spring (coil) construction. Medical grade foam is made from the same material used for people in hospitals and nursing homes. It will retain your dog’s shape when he sleeps on the foam so he can be comfortable in the same space each time he lies down without lumps or having to readjust the bed. Box spring bedding provides support. Read more
Address Concerns About Dog Health with a Proper Diet
September 23, 2009
Even with older dogs, health problems can usually be linked back to their diet. Any body needs fuel to survive, but not just any fuel will do. In most cases, the problem is with either the quantity or quality of the food.
Overfeeding and Dog Obesity
Obesity is a big dog health issue in these modern times, and it is a major leading cause of many chronic diseases. In an aging canine it is an even bigger concern because of increased sensitivity to health risks. Also, being overweight causes pain for older dogs because of the extra strain on arthritic joints. Read more
Ways To Prevent Your Dog From Falling Down
September 23, 2009
If you’ve ever seen your dog fall or found him lying in the floor, unable to get up, then you know what a frightening feeling it is. Many elderly dogs have weakness in their legs and they can be prone to falling. If they do fall they can be quite helpless. As the person who loves your dog, there are few things that make you feel worse than seeing your dog in that situation. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent falling down in your older injured dog.
Preventing Falls
If you are facing mobility problems with your senior dog and he is starting to have falls, make sure that he’s seen a vet. Assuming that you’ve already seen a vet and you know what the problems are, there are a number of ways you can provide support for your older dog to prevent falls. Read more
Euthanasia: A Hard Answer for a Dog with Terminal Illness
September 20, 2009
Nobody every wants to consider resorting to euthanasia, but there are occasions when some dog owners need to confront the most difficult decision of all. For an old dog with a terminal illness, such as untreatable and aggressive cancer, euthanasia may be an inevitable choice to limit their suffering. There is no preparation that will make this issue any easier. Sometimes life just hurts.
Is it Really Time?
This is the most difficult and emotional decision any dog owner will ever have to make. You’re likely beating yourself up, going back and forth. That’s why it’s imperative to communicate with your vet and really pay attention to their advice. If your dog is at an age where illness means constant untreatable pain and daily life is something to be endured rather than enjoyed, then it may be time to just let go. Read more
How To Reduce Stumbling In An Old Or Injured Dog
September 19, 2009
You probably already know that your older injured dog faces different kinds of mobility issues. One of these issues is stumbling. Stumbling in an elderly dog often occurs because the dog walks with less confidence than when he was young. He tends to feel his way more as he ages. And, he simply has less energy. Instead of picking up his paws he may stumble over things or hit the floor.
Preventing Stumbling
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent stumbling in your senior dog and some of them involve your home. Read more
Helping An Older Or Injured Dog Safely Down Steps
September 14, 2009
If you have an aging or disabled dog then you probably already know that one of the toughest things you have to deal with is helping your dog up and down steps. For small dogs this isn’t such a problem, but if you have a medium or large dog this can truly be a hard situation. Most people can’t carry a large dog up and down many steps and dogs are often uncomfortable and uncooperative. How can you manage a dog in this situation? How can you carry an older injured dog safely down steps?
Harnesses
When it comes to mobility for an older injured dog, one of your best choices is often a harness. There are two basic kinds of harnesses for dogs: harnesses that fit over your dog’s rear and harnesses which fit around your dog’s middle. Read more