Love Your Elder Dog
2008-07-30

Love Your Elder Dog Dogs are the most sensitive and affectionate pets. They are not only part of your family but the most loyal and loving companions that you will ever have. They stay by your side when you are happy or sad and love you unconditionally. If you go out for as little as ten minutes, they let you know how much they missed you when you come back. They accompany you year after year, and then , they get old. Your responsibility, as a dog owner, is to value your friendship, provide your dog with everything it requires, to make your older pet health condition good.                                               

The elder need you She /he is old Although there is really no such correct thing as dog years, it is still important to realize that a twelve year old dog is not like a twelve year old kid. Twelve is an old age for many dogs and they need special care, just as an 84 year old person might. Old dogs are the grandparents of the dog world. They are sweet, experienced, and not too demanding. They are happy just to curl up next to you and snooze away the day, they need everything a young dog needs: food, water, shelter, health care, grooming, exercise, and time with you. Yet , with old age comes they need for a few extra things: maybe more health care, more time with you, and more love and attention. You need the elder You may have fun with your companion Many older dogs have been trained to walk on a leash and come when called. She/ he may also know how to sit, stay, come, roll over. He/she may even have more specialized abilities in hunting, agility, or other pursuits, even at the pound. Like people, most dogs can go on learning through old age, you can teach them new commands.

Dogs can encourage you to get healthy exercise If you’re looking for a partner to help you train for the marathon, you’ll need an older dog. A puppy takes time to grow up, and your race will be over before he’s old enough to help you train .You may take your dogs running or walking with you to keep weight and health. an older dog will provide this on the first day he comes home. How should you look after your dogs Health care As dogs begin to age, it is important for the owner to be aware of their pet's health and changing needs, for noticing your dog's aging process may avoid many problems. . Keep an eye on your older dog's behavior. When dogs don't feel well, they can have changes in their behavior. When your dog is old and doesn't feel well, it is important to call the vet. There are lots of things the doctor can do to help your dog to feel better, even if she is a senior. .If your older dog becomes ill, or loses her hearing or eyesight, always try to imagine how you would feel if that happened to you or to your parents. Try to treat your older, not-so-healthy dog with respect, compassion, and gentleness. The years you spend with your older dog can be just as fun and special as ever. .Keep them away from cancer .Cancer is a major cause of death in dogs, and it is common as the dogs become middle-aged or older. Basic care Basic care for an older dog includes regular grooming, monitoring of weight and diet, examination of teeth and eyes, and protection from fleas and ticks. Grooming becomes increasingly important because it helps stimulate the production of natural oils to the dog's skin, which often slows down with age. Daily care Daily care also changes as your dog ages. For example, try to give your dog a place to sleep that is away from draft and is not too hot or cold. A bed or mat will help keep your dog comfortable. If your dog begins to exhibit mobility problems, consider blocking off difficult areas such as stairs to keep him from getting hurt. Regular checkups with the vet become more important, since older dogs are more susceptible to ailments and early treatment can keep minor problems from becoming major ones. Pet Insurance It is best to enroll your dog into an insurance program at a younger age to assure a more reasonable premium, but you may still be able to enroll them into an insurance program where his or her medical bills will be partly covered in the case of a medical emergency. The costs of pet surgeries and treatments can be way out of the budget of most households, so having a pet insurance plan to back you up can be a great asset. It will also give you peace of mind about your cat as it ages. Other tips .The older should do right amount of exercises. Just as people shouldn't lay around all day, older dogs shouldn't sit around all day with nothing to do. They need to continue exercising to keep their hearts and muscles strong. You should still take your dog for walks, play fetch, and hide and seek. Your dog will appreciate the time she spends with you. . Take them along you to activities. Continue to include your dog in your activities just as you always have. Your dog wants to be with you even more now that they are older. . Let them close to you. Older dogs sometimes become more affectionate and attached to you than they were before. Let your dog be close to you when you are just hanging out, doing homework, or practicing your piano!