How do I care for the older Dog?

You can certainly make the years you have left with him more comfortable. Make it a priority to spend more time with him. During that time, give him casual examinations by running your hands over his coat and checking for lumps on and below his skin. If you notice discharge from any area – particularly if it smells or has an odd texture – call your veterinarian immediately. Check his joints routinely for swelling, as arthritis and other joint problems can make an elderly dog feel even older. Unlike his younger years, your pooch won’t be able to recover as quickly from illness and injury. This means you need to be quicker on the draw when contacting your vet, as even the most severe problems can often be cured or improved if detected soon enough.

Keep his stress level at a minimum by reducing the level of outside activity and turmoil in his life. Refrain from things that seem simple, like rearranging the furniture, as the extra commotion can turn up his nerves and reduce the amount of good his immune system can do against outside invaders. If his vision is deteriorating even a small amount, he can easily lose track of new furniture locations and bump into more and more things as he walks around. If you suddenly started losing your vision, would you want people changing the layout of your home without consulting with you? Probably not.

Because his energy level is lower, it may seem rational that his activity level should reduce with it. This isn’t the case. Aging can be slowed down substantially or made less painless by regular exercise and good health. While he may not chase Frisbees or cats like he used to, he’d still love daily brisk walks with his owner. These can have a great effect on his overall health, too. Since they’ll keep his muscle tissue up, his metabolism will increase and help burn off that extra fat. Regular exercise can also help alleviate joint problems (as long as it’s not too strenuous). Just as with overweight dogs, swimming is a fantastic workout option for the aging pooch. It’s low impact, fun, and burns a ton of calories. Don’t worry if he seems to need to rest a bit longer after workouts, he’s just listening to his body.

Is there anything special I should do around the house to help him?

If he’s used to getting up and walking around at night, try to keep nightlights in his usual spots to help him navigate the halls. His dexterity may start to wane, too, so adding non-slip pads to throw rugs and reducing other risks of falls will help him feel less like an old dog and more like his old self.

If he’s used to sleeping in your bed, you may notice that he no longer has the strength or energy to hop up as easily as before. Some dogs adjust easily to this and find themselves a new sleeping spot, while others try over and over to jump into bed as though nothing were wrong. If you want him in bed with you and can’t stand the thought of him sleeping alone, invest in a small ramp or stepstool like those used for elderly humans. If he seems to be fine sleeping on the floor next to your bed, you can find a wide array of thick, orthopedic cushion beds specially made for older dogs or those with joint problems. These reduce the risk of tripping as he gets in and out of bed, but they’re also super-comfy and will help his joints feel better. Encourage him to use the new bed and praise him when he does. Soon enough, you won’t be able to convince him to even try to get into your bed… he’ll prefer his!

Try to help him avoid stairs by moving his food, bed, or other necessities where possible. If you live in a two-story home, your aging pup may start to prefer living entirely on the first floor but still want to be a part of your lives. If this is the case, minimize the time he spends by himself by encouraging the family to spend more time in areas he can easily navigate. Set his bed up in the dining room so he can lay in comfort while still feeling like a part of the family. If main areas of activity like TV rooms are both upstairs and downstairs, make an effort to use those on the first floor and pay special attention to him.

If he has joint problems or is a large-breed dog, place his food and water dishes on an elevated platform rather than on the floor. This will reduce the number of times he has to bend down, meaning that his joints will have less stress placed on them. It also reduces his risk of conditions like bloat.