An old dog in the house or as a help to a pet at the age of
Bringing a little puppy into the house, few people think about the fact that in 10-15 years to the animal will come to old age, bringing problems and pain of loss. An old dog like no other helps us become kinder and more tolerant.
Most loving owners treat an elderly pet as a fragile, expensive vase that can be damaged by awkward movements. Remembering how much good your dog has given you over the years, try to make your dog's old age calm and carefree:
- Nutrition. Age-related changes in the gastrointestinal tract dictate a new, gentle diet. If your dog's diet consisted of dry food, gradually switch to an age-appropriate diet. Its composition is balanced precisely to meet the needs of an aging body and includes a higher content of carbohydrates and a reduction in the proportion of proteins and fat components. For those who prefer straight, we recommend you to watch carefully the reaction of your pet to this or that product. Any digestive problems, such as vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, should not be ignored by the owner. Try to arrange the menu so that the elderly pet receives all the necessary vitamins and trace elements, and the food was not too heavy.
- After about 7-8 years of age, when your pet is about to mature, make regular visits to the vet a good tradition. They can be combined with a vaccination marathon, or your dog can be brought to the doctor's office specifically for testing and thorough examinations. An experienced dog doctor will listen to your dog's heart rate and carefully examine your dog's skin. It is old that all sorts of excruciating eczema caused by internal diseases or external factors are possible.
- Vitamins. A decrease in immunity and general vital tonus in age-old dogs requires a significant vitamin supply. Choose biologically active formulas specially formulated for older dogs. They contain not only vitamins and minerals, but also ichondroprotectors that can help relieve joint soreness.
- Physical activity. Do not make an elderly dog weakly disabled, unable to go to the nearest lawn on their own. If your pet has been active for many years, it is unlikely that such rest will add to his health. However, you shouldn't burden him like in his youth either. Try to ensure that joint walks and games bring the old man joy and pleasure. A long leisurely promenade through the woods, quite fun and lack of sudden movements will allow maintaining muscle tone and avoiding fractures and sprains.
- Intellectual loads. To occupy the brain of an old man is no less important than to give load to his muscles. It has long been noticed that working and working dogs until the last days retain clarity of thought and mental activity. If you have a young pet, try to arrange for them to study together - an elderly dog will be able to learn something from a junior companion and pass him his own experience.
- Change of habits. Often older dogs change their way of life with age. Sick joints can prevent him from jumping on the tall sofa as well, and vascular and metabolic problems make even long-haired members of the dog tribe freeze. Allow your aging friend to choose the most appropriate lifestyle - eating time, portion volume and intensity of outdoor exercise. Be sure to make sure your pet is comfortable with the new, unhappy realities of the day by sitting in a chair or covering him up with a fluffy blanket at night.
- Attention to your pet. Many of the illnesses that reach our dogs in old age are almost asymptomatic. Only the owner can be the first to notice a slight change in his behavior or habits. As the owner of an old dog, you shouldn't ignore such disturbing calls. Even if the occasion seems trifling to you, and your four-legged friend is only a little sad in the morning, run to the vet, preferably to the doctor who has been watching the dog for years.
- Love. The most important condition for a long and happy life for your dog is your unconditional love for him. Animals, like small children, feel the attitude of others without error. Never forget that the age of the pet is short and every minute spent next to it is truly precious. As never before, an elderly four-legged friend needs affection and tenderness - rest on soft pillows, gentle buds, hugs and affection for the owner. Never scold a dog for being incomprehensible or slow - perhaps his hearing isn't as sharp as it used to be with age, and his arthritic legs have lost their former agility.
Do everything possible to prolong your dog's life and relieve his pain, and if nothing can be corrected, let him go in peace, hoping to meet him in a magical country where the Fields of Eternal Hunting stretched out affectionately to the horizon.https://petsfusion.com/news/96/Staraja-sobaka-v-dome-pomagaem-drugu/