Senior Dog Care: Essential Daily Tips for Longevity

Therefore, how to provide appropriate care for senior dogs without overburdening the pet owner and the dog becomes an important topic that pet owners should understand in advance.

Engage in Physical Activity When Possible

As dogs age, their physical abilities decline, making simple tasks like standing and walking increasingly difficult. Often, pet owners, thinking their dogs are getting older, reduce the frequency of taking them for walks and exercise. However, less exercise can lead to further physical decline and accelerated aging.

While it's not possible to force a dog to exercise, short walks or playing games at home can help maintain muscle strength and stamina, thereby slowing down the aging process.

Making Care Easier

Caring for a senior dog can be a significant burden for pet owners. Therefore, all family members should work together to share the responsibility of caring for the dog. Additionally, if the dog's nighttime howling is disrupting the pet owner's routine, consider using sleep aids.

Correctly Lifting a Dog

Lifting a dog that can't move is a challenging task for both the dog and the human. It's important to use the correct technique to avoid straining either party's body.

Calling the Dog by Name

Before picking up the dog, call its name to avoid startling it.

Inserting Hands Under the Dog

Place one hand under the dog's backside and the other under the neck, reaching as far as possible to grip the front and back legs.

Lifting the Dog

Gently lift the dog towards you, holding its front and back legs, and reassure it with your voice.

Assisting the Dog to Stand

For dogs unable to stand on their own, someone should help them up without straining their waist.

Inserting Arms Under the Dog's Waist

Slide your arm under the dog's belly to support its weight.

Reaching Between the Dog's Front Legs

Insert your other hand between the dog's front legs until your palm is visible.

Helping the Dog Stand

Support the dog's body with your arms, first lifting the front legs, then the back legs, and releasing your hold once the dog is steady.

Assistance During Walks

Appropriate exercise is better than lying down, as it strengthens the dog's legs and prevents obesity, as well as promotes brain activity. Therefore, pet owners should allow their dogs to move within their physical limits.

Assisting Dogs Unable to Stand

First, help the dog stand, then support its left and right legs to assist it in walking indoors. Alternatively, take the dog to a sunny spot for some sun exposure.

Assisting Dogs with Weak Limbs

Use a harness to assist dogs with weak limbs, but be mindful not to overdo the distance.

Assistance During Meals

If the dog can stand, support its hindquarters during meals or adjust the height of the dog bowl for easier eating.

Assistance for Dogs Unable to Stand

Place a towel under the dog's mouth and use spoons or syringes to feed it small amounts of food. If the dog refuses to eat, try feeding it specialized jellylike food designed for easy consumption.

Assistance During Bathroom Breaks

Lay down several puppy pads around the dog's usual bathroom area or guide it to the toilet during its usual time for easier access.

Assistance for Dogs Unable to Stand to Urinate or Defecate

Support the dog's body to assist with urination or defecation. For male dogs, support the thighs or waist; for female dogs, support the area around the root of the thighs.

Assistance for Dogs with Incontinence

Dogs with incontinence can wear disposable diapers, and it's important to change them frequently to prevent skin irritation or rashes.

Assistance for Dogs Unable to Excrete on Their Own

Lay the dog on its side, cover the area where it urinates with diapers, and manually press on the hardened bladder to expel urine. The male dog's bladder is located in front of the thigh roots, while the female dog's bladder is slightly behind the thigh roots.

Assistance During Baths

To avoid placing too much stress on the senior dog's body, bathe them once a month, and keep the bath time as short as possible. For dogs without much energy, a partial bath or towel wiping can be sufficient.

Partial Bath

Support the dog's abdomen with your arm and place its feet in the water bowl. Use a sponge to clean the area around the anus and rinse it off with a bucket of water as soon as possible.