April 5, 2012
Posted in Pet Health

Senior pets, similar to elderly people, need a certain type of care that differs from puppies or strong adult dogs. With your help, your senior dog should be able to continue to live a happy life well into its golden years.

The best way to keep your pooch in good health in old age is to properly take care of it as a puppy and as an adult. This means making sure the dog remains at a healthy weight through life, gets groomed often and gets regular vaccinations and checkups at the vet.

You can ensure your dog remains at a good weight through life by always exercising it for at least 30 minutes a day and by feeding it nutritious and high quality pet food. A brand like Now Fresh Grain Free Dry Dog Food contains lean meats, fresh produce and pre-and-probiotics to help keep your dog's immune system in check.

Some pet owners might not think too seriously about taking care of their dog's mouth, but keeping a dog's teeth in good health goes a long way. Cases of periodontal disease are on the rise in pets and this condition is linked to other health issues with the heart, kidneys and liver. Start a dental hygiene program with your pooch now by picking up pet products like a a finger toothbrush and pet toothpaste. You may benefit from getting the C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit For Dogs and Cats that comes with everything you'll need. If you don't think your pooch will allow you to brush its teeth, you can use a mouth rinse like C.E.T. AquaDent Drinking Water Additive that you mix in with its water.

Taking the dog to the vet for a physical and vaccinations is another crucial step in keeping your pup healthy with age. Here, the vet can check its organs and feel around for any lumps or bumps that may be of concern. The vet will also look for signs of arthritis or joint issues and may start it on a supplement like Dasuquin to keep the cartilage around the joints strong. You should also continue to keep your dog on its monthly flea and tick preventative medication like Frontline Plus or Comfortis to ward off pesky parasites.

Making sure your dog is always looking its best can also help it feel its best. Always give your dog a good brushing at least once a week and wash it with soothing pet shampoo once a month. Wash its eyes and face to remove any gunk build up. If you have a white dog, you may notice a rusty coloring on the fur near its eyes. This occurs due to a reaction from its tears and can be cleared up using a product like Angel Eyes. 

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