By the time your dog reaches age 14, you have many treasured memories of your time together. Your canine friend may not have the same spark, but its loyalty remains the same. However, an older dog may have more advanced needs, requiring more than just basic care. Regular veterinary checkups are necessary to screen for underlying medical conditions and help maintain your dog's health and vitality.
Things You'll Need
- Dog toothpaste
- Dog toothbrush
- Worm medicine
- Dog leash
- Dog food
- Dog bed
Instructions
Brush your dog's teeth with special canine toothpaste each morning and night. Older dogs have weaker enamel, so they are susceptible to tooth decay. Older dogs can develop gum disease and abscessed teeth as easily as humans can.
Give your dog regular worm medicine and heartworm treatments. Dogs can become infected with worms at any age, but older dogs have a weaker immune system, so infections are more likely to cause problems. Heartworms destroy your dog's heart. Keep your dog free of parasites by keeping up with worming medications.
Take your dog for walks regularly. Exercise is just as vital for older dogs, because as a dog ages, its muscle development declines. Daily exercise can help maintain good muscle tone.
Feed your dog senior dog food and pure water. Senior dog food, available at your pet food store, contains additional vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for older dogs. Aging dogs need extra calcium to maintain healthy teeth and bones.
Buy a dog bed for your canine friend to sleep on. Older dogs rest more often than younger dogs do. Invest in a comfortable bed so your dog has a place to relax when it is feeling tired.