If you are a dog owner, there is no doubt that you treat your dog as another member of your family. As your dog ages, he or she may have different needs than when he or she was younger. As your dog approaches its senior years, old dog care will become an important part of your dog’s life.

Different dog breeds age at different rates. Often those who are considered to be “mutts” are generally hardier than purebred dogs. However, no matter what breed of dog you have, at some point in your dog’s life it is going to exhibit signs of aging. You have to be ready for this so that your dog will be able to receive the kind of care necessary for an older dog.

As is much the same with human medicine, veterinary medicine has made great strides in geriatric care. Now our pets can live longer than ever before. With some effort on your part, you will be able to provide your old dog with they type of care that is suitable for your faithful companion so that he or she can live to be a comfortable and pleasant old age.

The Aging Process

Here are some noticeable signs that Fido is showing his age: sleeping more, being startled by noises, eating less, bright lights, loss of activity, not coming right away when you call (may indicate difficulty moving such as arthritis or hearing loss), duller coat, eyes that are not quite as bright or may seem clouded (may indicate cataracts), skin that has less elasticity, loss of bowel or bladder control in a dog that was previously well house-trained.

Keeping Your Senior Dog Comfy

You want your dog to remain comfortable in his or her old age; therefore, you should provide the proper care for your senior dog.

First, most dogs are aware that they should not relieve themselves in the house. If your geriatric dog happens to have an accident in the house, try to be comforting and understanding. This is not a time for punishment because most dogs sense that they have done something wrong. With senior dogs, it’s a good idea to let them out more often than you might have when he was younger.

Also, provide a comfortable bed, preferably an orthopedic bed for your old dog to lie on. Many aging dogs like to sleep next to the heater vent which makes a cozy place for his bed. Make sure that you can easily throw the cover in the washer. This way, if your dog does have an accident, it will be easier to clean up. If you must keep your dog out of certain places, then try using a baby gate so that he will not go in that particular room.

Second, you should take your senior dog to the vet regularly for check-ups to make sure that he remains healthy. Routinely brush your dog’s teeth and have your vet remove any excess plaque build-up. An unhealthy mouth not only causes gingivitis, tooth loss and soreness but it can also lead to other medical concerns such as heart problems. Third, make sure you give your senior pooch a proper diet. Older dogs are generally less active and a lower calorie food should be considered if your dog is becoming over weight. Also, veterinarians can provide prescription foods for dogs with medical conditions including heart and kidney problems.

Fourth, watch out for the safety of your dog. As eyesight and hearing fail and as coordination becomes more unsteady, your pet may have trouble with stairs and may fall and injure himself. If you place baby gates in strategic places, this can help make sure that your dog does not take a spill.

Fifth, and finally, make sure you give your aging pet lots and lots of love as part of your old dog care regimen. Remember that your pet is the same loving dog that he or she has always been despite a little more gray hair. To make your senior pet still feel part of the family, shower him or her with love and attention just as you always have.

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Having a new pet is a new exciting experience! However, the first night can be tough for a new puppy, and it can take its toll on the owners as well. Here are a few tips and suggested supplies that you should have prior to bringing home your new puppy.

First, you should have a crate or kennel for your dog. You will want to bring them home in this, and the drive home will help them get accustomed to it early on. You should buy a crate that will easily fit your dog when he or she is fully-grown; make sure your dog will have plenty of room to sit, stand, lie down and turn around in. Also, place puppy pads, newspaper, or liners in the crate in case your new pup should have an accident; you don’t want their new quarters getting soiled quickly, as this will cause additional stress for your puppy.

Next, you will want to have a food dish and a water dish available, as well as proper puppy food. Be sure to ask a professional about what kind of puppy food you should have, and how often and how much you should feed your puppy. You may want to place old newspaper down underneath the food and water bowls in case your puppy should spill or bump the dishes by accident. This will simply help the clean up be easier for you.

You may also want to purchase a baby-gate or exercise pen for your puppy. This way, you will be able to contain your puppy in the kitchen, or somewhere that makes cleaning up messes on the floor easier. This is particularly helpful before your new puppy becomes housetrained; cleaning up accidents on the carpet is no fun, and it can sometimes be difficult and hard on your back. Also, by keeping your pet sectioned off in a particular area helps you keep and eye on them. Puppies are curious little guys, and you don’t want them getting into anything that may hurt them or damage your property.

You will also want to have a collar and a leash. On the collar, make sure you have the adequate information placed on the tags: puppy’s name, address, and a contact phone number. The length of the leash is up to you; sometimes puppy owners prefer to have a fixed length leash, as this helps them keep a closer eye on their puppy and it teaches good habits early on.

Finally, remember that your new puppy will most likely be afraid and worried. Speak softly to them, pet them gently, and give them lots of attention as you reassure them everything is fine and that you are happy to have them come home with you. Puppies often cry the first night, so be prepared to get up once or twice to calm your puppy down. However, you may not want to do this much past the first night, because it could teach your puppy that every time he or she whines they get attention from you.

Bringing a new puppy home is fun and exciting. Make sure you are aptly prepared, and enjoy your new puppy!

Article provided by Pet Super Store a site featuring:
dog tracking collars, dog beeper collars and electric dog fences.