Mature Dog Health Tips

More Frequent Vet Check-ups

• Now that your dog is getting older, it is important that you take it to the vet for check-ups more than once a year. More frequent vet visits are necessary for early detection of certain diseases (e.g., arthritis, diabetes and cancer) and health problems (e.g., thyroid condition, hearing problems and a failing sense of smell) that afflict aging dogs.

  Your dog might have been able to see a squirrel two blocks away back in its younger years, but now that it is mature, it might not see the squirrel until it is only a few feet away. Maybe your aging friend can't get up and down stairs like it could when it was two or three years old. Whatever the case may be, more frequent trips to the vet will help detect and alleviate such problems.

Monitor Your Dog's Behavior and Physical Condition

• It is important to monitor your mature dog's behavior and physical condition, as changes in either could be signs of more serious medical conditions. For instance, a loss of appetite might indicate a dental problem, whereas increased appetite without weight gain could point to diabetes. If you notice any overall changes in your older dog, be sure to call your vet. Early detection is key.

Mature Dogs Need Help Staying Active

• Your older dog might be slowing down, but that is no reason to let your four-legged friend become totally inactive! Exercise is a key ingredient to a healthy mature dog. Regular exercise is not only good for its insides, it is also good for its spirit.

  The Senior Dog Project website states, "As dogs age, they still need their exercise to benefit their heart, lungs, circulation, digestive system, and joints -- as well as to fight obesity." You can keep up your dog's morale through exercise by playing its favorite game or by teaching it a new trick every now and again, and then showering it with praise and affection when it learns the trick.

Comfort Is Key

• Sore joints, thinner coat and reduced circulation are just some of the many challenges your mature dog could face, and it's up to you to keep your dog as comfortable as possible.

  If your older dog has sore joints and can no longer leap, portable steps and ramps are a good way to allow it to access places it needs to reach, such as your bed and vehicle.

  Because of a thinner coat or reduced circulation, weather conditions can affect your mature dog more than they used to, much like with an older person. When it gets cold and damp, keep your dog warm and dry, and when the temperature outside rises too much, keep your dog out of the heat and in a cool place as much as possible.

  Always remember that as much as love, attention and companionship are important parts of raising a puppy, they are essential pieces to keeping your mature dog comfortable throughout its remaining years.