May 2, 2012
Posted in Common Pet Conditions, Pet Health, Pet Supplies

Have you ever been to the home of a senior citizen and noticed bars, handles and other items around their house? There are a variety of products on the market designed to help seniors live more safely and comfortably in their own homes, and the same is true for dogs.

As dogs get older, they may suffer from arthritis pain or other conditions that make it difficult to maneuver the house or engage in their favorite pastimes. Even if you give your pooch pet drugs like Metacam for the pain, and support its joints with a supplement containing glucosamine for dogs, updating its physical environment can go a long way in making its golden years as happy and pleasant as they possibly can be.

Beds

Your dog may have enjoyed curling up on its Pillow Dog Bed in its younger years, but if it has aches and pains now, it might be more comfortable on a bed with more support. The Deluxe Orthopedic dog bed is an example of a more supportive bed that may help older pooches or those with certain health conditions. This bed has as much as six inches of egg crate foam inside to reduce the aches and pains associated with arthritis, and its cover is removable for easy washing. A heated bed may feel nice on your pooch's joints, too. The Heated Bolster Dog Bed is cozy and supportive, with a heated mattress to soothe aches.

Dog steps and ramps

Senior citizens may have a hard time navigating a home with lots of steps and other inclines because of worsened eyesight or maybe physical pains. The same is true for senior dogs. If your pooch seems to be avoiding a small set of steps, consider installing pet products like a Full-Length Bi-Fold Carpeted Dog Ramp to help it get around. This ramp is also handy for helping your pooch get in and out of the car.

If your dog's achey joints are preventing it from climbing up on the couch like it used to, placing some dog steps like Soft Dog Steps with 2 Steps might make it easier and put less strain on its joints. Always be mindful of your pooch when making changes to its physical environment. If the pooch has lost its vision, changes like this may be more confusing than helpful. 

Related posts:

1. Winterizing your pooch’s joint care
2. Adopting an older canine
3. Steps to a having a healthy senior dog
4. Your dog is turning 7: Now what?
5. What to know when you adopt an older cat