Kirjoita seuraava otsikko uudelleen Suomeksi. Käytä hieman eri sanoja: 10 Ways You Can Help Your Dog Enjoy His Senior Years

Kirjoita tämä teksti suomeksi siten, että asiat tulevat kerrotuksi mutta teksti ei ole kopioitu, Älä käytä brändinimiä. Kirjoita teksti yhtä pitkäksi, mutta erilaisella rakenteella kuin alkuperäinen. Alkuperäinen teksti: ” This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.You love your senior dog and want him to live a great life. After all, he’s your best bud and has always been there for you. And you’ve shared so many adventures over the years. But you wonder: how can you ensure that he’s happy and healthy?In this blog post, I’ll lay out some ways you can help your dog enjoy his senior years to the fullest. I appreciate and love my senior pups. We’ve had so much fun together. I currently have two seniors. My sheltie Murphy is 10.5 years old and my rescued golden retriever Riley is 9.5 years old. They’re still very active and participate in many activities. Riley is still obsessed with fetching his Kong ball. Riley carrying his Kong Extreme ballAnd although Murphy’s muzzle is graying, he still happily chases after his soft frisbee.(20+) Facebook (video of Murphy chasing his soft frisbee) I just make sure that the sessions are shorter and less intense than when they were younger.When are dogs considered to be seniors? Small dogs, between 10 to 12 years old. Medium dogs, between eight and nine years old. And large dogs, between six to seven years old. So let’s discuss how to make your canine best friend’s senior years his best ones.1.Have Regular Vet VisitsWhen your pup was younger, a yearly check-up may have been sufficient. But, as he ages, the American Animal Hospital Association recommends vet visits every six months. During these wellness checks, your vet will also be able to catch any problems and treat them early. After all, dogs get many of the same illnesses that we do as they enter their golden years. They may get joint issues, vision loss, hearing loss, heart disease, diabetes, and more. So a full check-up is in order. This often includes senior bloodwork. My sheltie Murphy recently had one of his check-ups and the vet found  some liver and other values that were off. So he had an ultrasound and is now on medicines to keep him healthy. If he hadn’t gone to the vet, I never would have known that he required treatment because he didn’t yet have any symptoms of a problem.Murphy’s graying muzzle2. Be Aware of Physical and Mental ChangesDogs often hide pain from us. It’s a survival-of-the-fittest skill. So be aware of any changes in your dog. Does he seem to be in pain? Does he get up more slowly or tire more easily? Does he not want to participate in favorite activities any more? Also see if there are any behavioral changes. Has he become aggressive or does he avoid being touched? This can be a result of pain or other changes. Does he seem to be confused in regular settings? This can be a result of dementia, Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, or hearing or vision loss. So note any changes–whether sudden or not–and bring them up to your vet. 3. Keep Your Senior Dog Physically ActiveKeeping your pup physically active is important. Of course, this depends on what he’s capable of doing. Muscles support joints and, with good muscle tone, mobility increases. And moving joints are less likely to become stiff. Instead of runs, a slower, shorter walk may be in order. Just don’t overdo it. Changing your walking route can also sometimes make a walk more interesting to your canine companion. Or take him to a new place to walk. Go on a sniffari. Ball-playing sessions may need to be shorter or less intense. If you’re not sure of your dog’s limits, check with his vet. My senior golden Riley still plays ball. But our sessions are a lot shorter than when he was younger.4. Keep Your Senior Dog Mentally StimulatedDon’t forget to also stimulate your dog’s mind. Some seniors suffer from cognitive dysfunction. Teach him some new behavior cues as he can handle it. You can give rewards other than treats too so that he doesn’t gain weight. Add some tricks. Rotate his toys. Add some puzzle toys to the mix to help stimulate your pup’s mind. Start with easy ones at first, so that he can use them without becoming frustrated.Murphy with Kong WobblerYou can even hide some treats or toys around the room for him to find.Enrichment activities can be very beneficial in keeping your senior dog’s mind active–and his life interesting. 5. Keep Your Senior Dog SafeBecause of cognitive dysfunction, a physical problem, or hearing or vision loss, a senior dog may become confused or not be able to navigate his environment like he did when he was younger. So watch him closely. And manage his environment so that he’s safe. If he’s outside, make sure that he’s safely enclosed in your yard. And you should keep an eye on him to be sure that he’s alright. Indoors, make sure that pathways aren’t blocked. Some seniors suffer from mobility issues and it may be more difficult for him to get up or navigate slippery floors such as tile, hardwood, or linoleum which may not provide great traction. And you may need the following to help him remain safe and uninjured:Gates. Gates can help block off stairs and doorways.Ramps and stairs. Ramps and stairs made for dogs can help your dog get on furniture and even into your car. Train your dog to use these so that he doesn’t get injured or frustrated. Rugs and non-slip mats. You may need to place runners that give your senior traction where needed.Be aware of his presence. Your dog may not hear or see you walking nearby. So watch out for him so that neither of you is injured.A friend of mine put carpet runners for her border collie mix Buddy when he became a senior because he started to slip when walking on the hardwood floors in their home. This made it safer–and not distressing–for him when he got up.When my golden Spencer became a senior, he had a tumor in his spine and could no longer jump into the minivan on his own. So I got him a ramp and trained him to use it. He was about 80 pounds and there was no way I could lift him. Then he could still go on some adventures with us. 6. Give Him an Appropriate Diet and Supplements if NecessarySenior dogs need a high-quality, nutritious diet. You want to make sure that he’s fed an appropriate amount and has a balanced diet. Check with your vet or a nutritionist if you’re not sure what’s appropriate for your dog. Your senior pup probably isn’t as active as he was during his younger years. So he may need a different food or lesser quantity to remain fit. Obesity is bad for canines like it is for us and can shorten one’s life. And it can lead to joint and heart problems as well as other diseases. Check with your vet whether you should add any of the following to your senior’s diet:Probiotics or digestive enzymes to help aid in digestion and nutrient absorptionJoint and other supplements to help with mobilityOmega three fatty acids for brain, skin, and joint healthPlain pumpkin which provides fiber and can help with constipation and diarrheaBone broth for bone and joint supportI give all of my dogs salmon oil in their food once a day. And when my dogs reach middle-age, I give them an appropriate joint supplement, which is given at a higher level as they age. My pups have remained active into their golden years.7. Cater To Your Senior’s Special NeedsYour senior dog has special needs. He probably has to potty more often. Some seniors become incontinent. And he may have aching muscles and joints. So you may need to provide some of the following aids to help make his life better:Potty pads, diapers, belly bands, and extra potty breaks. You may need to ensure that your senior dog has access to potty more often.Special harnesses and lifts. Your senior dog may need certain aids to help him get up or walk.Special bowls. Elevated bowls can help some seniors.Senior carriages. For longer excursions, your dog may need to accompany you in a buggy designed for dogs.Warmth. Seniors are often more susceptible to cold, so make sure that he’s not subject to drafts. And he may need a warm towel or doggy heating pad to help soothe aching joints. Dogs with short coats may need to…

Source_link