How to Care for a Sick, Older Dog

Caring for a beloved dog that has grown old or become sick requires preparation and patience. Most likely, your dog has been a beloved part of your home for years and some simple modifications are required to help your dog feel comfortable and content during this time. Adjusting your dog's lifestyle or routine can make for a happier and healthier relationship for both pet and person.

Things You'll Need

  • Notebook to record observations or symptoms
  • Veterinarian appointment
  • Ramps or steps, if needed
  • Easy-to-digest foods
  • Ergonomically-modified food and water bowls

Instructions

  1. Determining Your Dog's Health and Lifestyle Needs

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      Keeping your dog healthy will mean a happier and more fulfilling life for you and your pet.

      Most pet owners can easily tell when their pet is ill or has developed age-related ailments. Sometimes, the clues are obvious, like your dog no longer being willing to jump up on the family couch. Other times, the symptoms are more subtle such as sleeping more or eating less. Start by writing down things you see over a short period and observe your dog's eating and drinking habits, as well as urination and defecation occurrences. Make special note of any particularly worrisome signs. Of course, if your dog seems to be in immediate distress, seek medical attention right away.

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      Schedule a trip with your dog's veterinarian. Many vets have what they call "senior dog check-ups" and pay particular attention to potential problems like arthritis and dietary concerns. Your vet will ask you for detailed information about any observations you have noted, and what specific lifestyle changes you have been noting and for what time period. If your dog seems ill, your vet may run some additional tests to pinpoint what may be making your dog feel bad.

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      It's usually easy to notice when your pet is ill. If you suspect something is wrong, don't delay in contacting your veterinarian.

      If your dog is truly ill, the veterinarian should be able to determine what the source. Generally, it requires an assortment of tests and an overnight stay for medical observation of your dog. Once diagnosed, a treatment can be determined so your dog can recover and resume the good life as quickly as possible.

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      Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or a change in diet or lifestyle to help speed your dog's recovery time. If the illness is more severe or life-threatening, your veterinarian will plan a one-on-one visit with you to discuss various care options. Since health care is not cheap for animals any more than it is for humans, your budget may determine how much intervention and care are feasible.

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      You and your aging pet can enjoy a quality life together.

      If your dog is suffering from health ailments due to advanced age, you may also need to modify your pet's lifestyle and diet to help ensure his golden years are without suffering. Your veterinarian will be able to suggest some remedies to help your dog feel better and still enjoy life-- as long as pain or the inability to move does not override quality of life. Different breeds of dogs have different life spans, which your veterinarian will be able to discuss with you in further detail.

    Helping Your Sick or Aging Dog Live a Good Life

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      Most of the times, you will be able to accommodate your dog's illness or advanced age with minor changes. Your dog may begin having bathroom accidents at a greater frequency, which you can offset with frequent walks or visits to the backyard. You may need to crate your dog while away so that he has a safe place to rest during your absence without instances of soiled areas.

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      Sometimes small lifestyle adjustments are all that is needed to help your dog lead a more fulfilled life in their senior years.

      Arthritis is a common ailment that afflicts dogs just like it does its owners. Your dog may struggle to jump up on the bed or couch, or even to navigate steps. If your dog previously slept upstairs, you may need to move his bedding to somewhere downstairs. You may need to resist asking your dog to jump up in your lap or onto the bed, and instead pick him up and place him there. There are many pet-friendly ramps, modified food and water bowls and orthopedic pet bedding to consider. Senior dogs can also suffer from an array of skin problems and tumors.

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      Your dog's snacks or eating habits may need to change to keep your dog as healthy as possible.

      When your dog becomes older, his digestive tract may become more sensitive and the teeth more brittle. Years of eating foods that were probably not veterinarian-approved may catch up with a dog in his senior years. Your dog's veterinarian may ask extensive questions about your dog's eating habits, and even begin a more healthy and restrictive diet--especially if your dog is overweight. The vet may also recommend increasing exercise, something that typically benefits both pet and pet owner alike!