Page 26 - Creature Companion, September 2020

PET CARE

favorite hiking trail or park, be sure
to use a safe seat belt and harness PUZZLE TOYS AND MATS
when driving with your senior dog. ARE EXCELLENT OPTIONS
TO CHALLENGE THEIR
Invest in An Orthopedic or Heated MINDS TO FIGURE THINGS
Dog Bed: Your dog’s bed can make OUT. YOU CAN STILL
the difference between a comfortable
sleep and waking up with sore joints. EXPECT YOUR DOG TO
If you want to take care of a dog that WORK BUT WITHIN HIS
is getting up there in age, splurging NEW LIMITATIONS. Adjust His Diet: All aging dogs

on an orthopedic dog bed or a heated benefit from food that’s easier to
dog bed may help senior dogs that digest, and many need you to reduce
are suffering from arthritis and other their caloric intake to maintain a
joint problems. healthy body weight. Your senior dog
may also need you to wet his food to
Practice Good Grooming: Regular help avoid constipation, or to make
grooming is important as dogs age it easier to chew. A switch from dry
because they can develop more to canned food can improve matters
matting with less activity. An greatly for many senior dogs, thanks
incontinent senior dog also needs his to its increased moisture content
hair in the potty area clipped short (good for kidneys) and higher-quality
and checked daily to ensure the area protein sources. Finally, if your senior
is clean, dry, and not irritated. Take Care of Your Senior Dog’s Teeth: dog’s appetite wanes, he’s probably
Dog’s teeth become more sensitive not being ‘picky’, but suffering from a
and prone to infection as they age, and growing health problem. Report this
infected teeth can increase the risks to your veterinarian.
of heart disease and kidney disease.
Make brushing your dog’s teeth with Provide Your Dog With Better
dog toothpaste a routine part of your Protection from Weather Extremes:
day. Using dental drops or products Discomfort with extreme weather
to decrease bacterial overload can may surface in your dog’s senior
be very helpful. Professional dental years, even if he’s never had a
cleaning is imperative if there are problem with heat or cold before.
any loose or infected teeth. During winters, he may benefi t from

Use Natural Supplements to Support
Do a Lump-and-Bump Check When Your Dog’s Health: Nutritional
You Groom Your Dog: If you become supplements can be a good way to
familiar with your dog’s normal support your dog’s overall health.
body, you will more quickly notice Nutritional supplements use
new growths. This is critical, as nutraceuticals to work with animal’s
the incidence of growths increases natural biological processes and
as your dog ages. The sooner you can supplement your dog’s diet.
catch a bump, the better. If it must Fish oil is widely recommended by
be removed, the smaller the spot, veterinarians for its many benefi ts,
the easier the surgery, and the faster including healthy coat and skin and
your dog will heal. Yes, a lump might joint support. Don’t forget to consult
be a harmless fat deposit, but it could your vet before administering any
also be a malignant growth. such supplements to your dog.

26 Creature Companion | SEPTEMBER 2020 • VOL. XIII • ISSUE 7 • NOIDA