2. Say 'hello, doc' regularly. Your senior dog should have veterinary checkups at least once a year. Dogs are living longer than ever thanks to new research. Based on the latest medical information, your veterinarian can give an accurate prescription of your senior dog's needs. Your veterinarian also may detect early signs of kidney disease or cancer, greater risks for an older dog, and treat it before it becomes advanced.
3. Feed new needs. Older dogs often have trouble producing necessary digestive secretions. As a result, your dog may have difficulty eating or digesting or start showing signs of obesity. Dr. Hayek suggests switching to a senior diet when your dog reaches 7 or 8. Senior dogs aren't the wild energy burners they were in their youth and senior diets contain less fat and fewer calories than other dog foods. Some also contain essential fatty acids, which lower cholesterol and make your senior dog heart-strong. Others are higher in protein, which may be beneficial to dogs with cancer and kidney disease.
If your dog won't eat commercial food, ask your veterinarian if homemade food is appropriate. Miami resident Stephanie Lojko mixes cooked chicken, rice and vegetables for Gertie, her 15-year-old Beagle-Poodle mix. Gertie is blind and paralyzed, but enjoys the homemade food Lojko supplements with commercial food.
How often your dog eats is as important as what it eats. "For older animals, small meals more times a day rather than a large meal in the morning help them out with digestion," Dr. Hayek said.
4. Brush those canines - and molars, too. Have your veterinarian clean your dog's teeth once a year and brush your dog's teeth with a medium-bristle tooth brush and doggie toothpaste daily. "Tartar is a breeding ground for bacteria," Dr. Simon said. "These bacteria and their toxins get into the blood and affect the liver and kidneys. When a dog has a kidney problem, most people attribute it to aging, but it's aging that could be affected by dental hygiene."
5. Get out and about. Simply because your dog is gray of muzzle doesn't mean it has lost its zip. Exercise gives your dog mental and physical stimulation. When Hathaway went blind, Fichtner first felt reluctant to walk him. "I thought he'd be confused, but on the contrary, he loved to go on long walks. It was a lot of fun taking him around the neighborhood."
Muscle strength decreases and body fat increases in older dogs, so it's important they maintain activity to stay lean and strong. "Frequent exercise, even a shorter walk is going to benefit quite a bit," Dr. Hayek said. But don't overdo it. Your eager-to-please dog will try to keep up with you, and may try so hard it hurts itself. A tired older dog is at risk for injury.
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