Aging Dog Health Care Tip:

Be Proactive!

Aging dogs need more attention than those in their prime years. To help you keep your dogs healthy during their senior years, here are four tips for proactive dog health care:

Dog Health Care Tip No. 1:

Give them good, lean food. A dog’s digestive system deteriorates as it grows older. This is why it is common for dogs to gain more weight and flab as they grow older. Unfortunately, obesity can lead to many complications, some of which could be too much for your old dog to handle. Help your dog to lose weight by feeding it with the right foods. Ask your vet for recommendations on a calorie-restricted diet.

Dog Health Care Tip No. 2:

Hydration is the key to proactive dog health care. Senior dogs get dehydrated easily. Chronic dehydration can cause kidney diseases to develop. You can make your senior dog love water by keeping a fresh supply of cold and clean water in highly accessible places. Make sure, too, that you serve only filtered water.

Dog Health Care Tip No. 3:

Pay attention to dental health. Most of us don’t take dental health seriously. We often forego brushing the teeth, especially if the dog does not feel like it. Among older dogs, it is common to develop advanced periodontal disease. And the bacteria that cause it can affect the vital organs such as the kidney, the liver, and even the heart. If your dog hates brushing, opt for commercially available foods that have an abrasive coating on them. This prevents tartar from building up on the teeth. Also remember to take the dog out for their dental cleaning once or twice a year.

Dog Health Care Tip No. 4:

Finally, consult your vet for preventive dog health care. Take a trip to the vet once or twice a year to help prevent serious health concerns. If you truly cannot afford to visit a vet on a regular basis – learn. Visit you library learn about the health needs of your breed of dog and check out our Economy Health Care Guide.