November is National Senior Pet Month. In honor of senior dogs and the special attention they so richly deserve, this blog is dedicated to our furry elders.
Senior dogs are often surrendered to shelters due to owner lifestyle changes.
If a guardian has not been appointed for them in advance, these otherwise healthy and happy dogs are now relegated to a shelter environment. Most of them are used to a pampered life and will not show well in a shelter as they adapt to a dramatic change of circumstances.
While puppies are adopted more quickly, there are many advantages to adopting a senior dog. Not only are they house trained, but they are past their chew-on-everything stage. It’s a safer bet that shoes and furniture will be spared with a senior, if not the ease of housekeeping in general.
With a senior dog you know exactly what you are getting as they are fully grown, so there aren’t any surprises about unexpected height and weight later.
Older dogs require less exercise so in lieu of marathon walks or long hikes, you can enjoy leisurely strolls at a comfortable pace for both of you. Older dogs have calmer temperaments (an added bonus for families with active children).
Not all senior dogs have senior conditions, yet all dogs develop age-related nuances at some point.
There are many ways to promote their comfort that do not involve a lot of effort. Exercise is still important for a senior dog; just shorten the walk to accommodate their limited mobility and endurance. This helps maintain a healthy body weight as overweight dogs will suffer from more health problems beyond “senioritis.” This goes for us humans as well!
A common “elderly” issue is joint stiffness or arthritis. Adding a quality dog joint supplement to their diet is a first starter and should be recommended to your clients with older dogs. In addition to a proper dietary supplement, for dogs who struggle to gain purchase from a laying down position you can slip-proof the floors with a few extra rugs and also add a comfy pet bed just for them. Savvy pet sitters will have rugs and runners available when caring for older dogs in their home.
Massage can increase relaxation, oxygen flow and provide added joint flexibility as well. You don’t have to be a certified massage therapist to give a dog (or cat) a good rub down.
For dogs that develop calloused elbows because they rest more than youngsters, a little Vitamin E oil will help (cut the toes off a sock and slide onto the anointed area for absorption).
PET PRO TIP: recommend this easy-to-do salve or better yet, gift your client with a bottle of Vitamin E oil to show how much you care.
Some hearing loss may occur over time, yet dogs are very good at reading our body language and hand signals and some pet parents may tell you their dogs pretend they can’t hear at all (even though they can!). Vision loss may occur yet does not mean a senior dog will go blind.
Kidney function and urinary control may lessen over time. This is not a big deal. Do you piddle when you giggle? “Depends” for dogs are available and medications are available to effectively control it.
Certainly, there are a myriad of ailments that we will encounter with our own pets and furry clients in our lifetimes. No one is immune to sickness, illness or unexpected surgery. Therefore, it’s important to consider a dog’s age and promote regular well exams; if not annually, then semi-annually. Early diagnosis of any underlying condition will help determine treatment options to extend a dog or cat’s longevity and vitality.
As professional pet sitters, we care for many senior guests who defy their ‘dog years” and continue to romp with delight. According to Guinness World Records, the oldest dog was an Australian cattle dog “Bluey” who passed at the age of 29 and 5 months. Now that’s worth celebrating!
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to very special seniors!!
Join us for more pet sitting ideas and how to professionally care for all companion animals @ https://www.associationofpetprofessionals.com/join-us
Featured photo by Catherine Heath on Unsplash.
Adorable Chihuahuas by Bianca Beltran on Pexels
NOTE: Link to Herbspro in this blog is an affiliated relationship. We will earn a small commish from your purchase at no extra cost to you! Herbspro offers a medley of nutritional products for cats and dogs, along with a vast line of wellness products for us humans too! From Calming Aids to Supplements, Pet Treats, Vitamins, Dental, Skin and Coat Care, there’s something there for everyone in the family.