Senior Dog Care

5 cards · about a minute

1. 01

   Slower is not lazy

   An old dog who lags on the walk is usually sore rather than uninterested, and arthritis is both the most under-treated condition in seniors and a treatable one.

2. 02

   Change the floor

   Rugs over smooth tiles, a ramp onto the sofa, a raised bowl and a night light do more for a stiff old dog than any supplement will.

3. 03

   A bed that supports

   A thick orthopaedic bed out of the draught, in the room the family actually uses, seniors sleep more, and the sleep should be worth something.

4. 04

   Twice a year now

   Move to two check-ups a year with bloodwork, because at this age things change in months and most of what shortens a senior’s life is treatable when found early.

5. 05

   Keep the mind working

   Short walks with new smells, food puzzles and gentle training matter now: cognitive decline is real in old dogs, and use slows it.