How to Improve Your Senior Dog’s Quality of Life

​Your older dog may require more care from you as they age.  But there are several things you can do to help your dog live a happy, healthy, and comfortable life.  Maintaining a gentle exercise routine, a nutritious diet, routine veterinary exams, and simple modifications around your home will help your pup stay healthy and happy.

How to Improve Your Senior Dog’s Quality of Life
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

As your furry friend gets older, there are some simple things you can do to make their life safer, easier, and more comfortable.  The following tips will help you keep your senior dog healthy as they age.
 
How to care for an older dog?
As dogs age, they develop a greater risk for some age-related issues.  Because of this, your senior dog’s healthcare requires more thought and effort than it did when they were young.  By providing for your aging pup’s physical, psychological, and nutritional needs, you can help them live their best life well into their golden years. 
 
Buy food formulated for senior dogs - As dogs age, their nutritional needs change.  Older dogs often need foods that:

• Are easy to digest
• Are developed for an older dog's energy levels
• Have nutrients to fight aging problems

You want to ensure your dog gets the proper nutrients for their age, size, and activity level.  Because older dogs tend to slow down, their risk of putting on weight increases.  Weight gain in older dogs increases their risk of other health problems, such as:

• Diabetes
• Joint problems
• Obesity

Talk to your veterinarian about the best diet for your dog.  Many dog foods are marketed for senior pets.  But they might not be the best choice for your dog since the ingredients can vary widely between brands.  Depending on your dog’s health conditions, you may need to look for specific nutrients in their food.
 
Consider supplements - Senior dogs are less able to digest and absorb nutrients from food owing to dental disease and other issues.  So, some older dogs can benefit from dietary supplements.  However, speaking with your vet before starting your dog on any supplement would be best.  When considering supplements for your senior dog, the following may be beneficial:

• Alpha lipoic acid
• Coenzyme Q-10
• Dimethylglycine (DMG)
• L-carnitine
• Probiotics
• Vitamin B complex
• Vitamin E

If your dog has pain or mobility issues caused by joint damage, joint supplements may help.  Common options include:

• CBD
• Chondroitin
• Glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl)
• Green-lipped mussel
• Omega-3 fatty acids

Keep in mind that the FDA does not regulate supplements.  Before giving your dog any supplement, discuss the benefits and risks with your vet.
 
Routine vet checkups - Senior dogs need more frequent vet visits.  The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends that senior dogs have at least two checkups annually.  Taking your dog for more frequent checkups can help ensure that illnesses are caught and treated early before they become a bigger problem.  It lets you check in with your vet about nutrition needs and other modifications that may benefit your aging pup.
Additionally, your senior dog may have different vaccination needs as they age.  So ask your vet what vaccinations are necessary, given your pup’s age and lifestyle.
 
Reduce slip-and-fall risks - Take note of areas around the house that you can modify to simplify your dog’s environment.  Notice where your dog needs assistance.  Is your pet avoiding hardwood floors because they cannot get traction?  
The goal is to give your senior dog easy access to the necessities.  It makes life easier if your pet does not have to go too far to access:

• Dog beds
• Food
• Toys
• Water

Modifying the home environment can help your canine companion maintain their routine as much as possible.  For example, you can:

• Block stairways off with dog gates to avoid mishaps if your dog struggles with stairs.
• Ensure stairs have an anti-skid surface that is easy for your dog to grip.
• Put nonslip carpet runners or area rugs over slippery hardwood, tile, and laminate floors.

 
Invest in dog ramps and stairs - With aging, everyday tasks like getting into and out of the car or climbing into bed with you become more challenging for your pup.  They may need assistance with doggie stairs or a ramp.
When purchasing stairs or a ramp, look for the following:

• A gentle slope
• A non-slip surface so your pup can easily get traction
• A design that can support your dog’s weight
• A device that you can easily move

 
Switch out dog beds - A pain-free night’s sleep is crucial for your furry friend.  So, it may also be helpful to update your senior dog’s bed.  Consider investing in a quality orthopedic or heated dog bed to help your dog with the stiffness and pain of arthritis and other age-related joint mobility problems.
Remember, making your pup comfortable is crucial in improving their mobility and quality of life.
 
Keep up with grooming - Grooming your dog allows you to spend quality time together.  It also allows you to check for new lumps and bumps regularly.  Remember that your dog may have difficulty grooming themselves when dealing with painful joints and stiffness.
Even if your pup is used to going to a groomer, aging can make that experience more stressful.  Loud noises, other dogs, and long periods of standing can create anxiety for an older dog.  Because you know your dog, you can gently groom them without increasing their stress while watching for tender spots and changes to their coat and skin.
 
Make sure they exercise regularly - If dogs do not get regular exercise, they lose muscle mass and strength.  The loss of muscle mass speeds up aging and makes your dog more prone to injuries and health issues.  Your senior dog may not be up for long hikes or strenuous dog sports.  However, ensuring your pup gets gentle, regular exercise is still essential.  As with humans, keeping active helps dogs maintain mobility and slows the onset of mobility problems such as arthritis and muscle loss.
 
Find new toys and enrichment activities - Senior dogs can experience cognitive decline, similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans.  One way to combat this is through physical and mental stimulation.
Great ways to provide enrichment for your senior dog include:

• Design games for your dog where they search for hidden treats or toys around the house.
• Keep up on training with positive reinforcement.
• Set up social time with other senior pups or calm dogs.
• Take your dog for short walks outside.
• Try out a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat for meals and treats.

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Knowing your pet's age in human years can help you better understand your canine as it progresses throughout its life.

HOW OLD IS MY DOG IN HUMAN YEARS?
If you have a dog, you have probably heard the following rule: ‘For every human year, a dog ages seven years.’  But that is not true because there are other factors to consider, such as size and breed.  Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger ones, but they may mature more quickly in the first few years of life.  A large pup might initially age more slowly but is nearing middle age at five.  Tiny and toy breeds do not become "seniors" until around age 10.  Medium-sized pooches are somewhere in the middle.

HOW OLD IS MY DOG IN HUMAN YEARS?

SIZE OF DOG
​

SMALL
​20 lbs. or less

MEDIUM
21 – 50 lbs.

LARGE
More than 50 lbs.

AGE OF DOG
​

AGE IN HUMAN YEARS

1 year
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

15
24
28
32
36
40
44
48
52
56
60
64
68
72
76
80

​15
24
28
32
36
42
47
51
56
60
65
69
74
78
83
87

15
24
28
32
36
45
50
55
61
66
72
77
82
88
93
120