It is a natural process that our dogs age. But there are some ways to support your beloved four-legged pet in everyday life and slow down the aging process. They make the life of our furry faces more pleasant and easier and improve the quality of life.

I’ll introduce you to some of them here. While comfort is always individual, I’m sure your four-legged friend will appreciate many of the ideas as needed. And your creativity knows no bounds. Just take a closer look at your four-legged friend.

Let’s start with what is vital for your dog and has a big impact on his life. The right body weight has a big positive impact on the health and aging of the dog. The more optimal your dog’s weight is, the easier and more enjoyable it will be to move. Excess weight poses a serious health risk. Life expectancy with excess weight is dramatically reduced, in the worst case by 20%! So, you see, excess weight harms your dog throughout his life.

If your dog is overweight, he or she is caught in a vicious circle. The joy of movement is reduced because each step is difficult. The entire musculoskeletal system is overloaded, and the joints are constantly subject to damage. The efficiency of the cardiovascular system is also reduced. Movement becomes a burden. And the less movement, the less energy expenditure. This leads to further weight gain. In addition, the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and tumors increases.

Movement suitable for older dogs – “in one place even a stone will grow moss”

Even in old age, your dog needs movement. It needs to be structured differently. Lack of movement leads to loss of flexibility and accelerated aging. You can see this in people too: older people who have been active all their lives and who try to move regularly stay fitter longer, more flexible and get sick less often. Movement has a positive effect on the onset and progression of diseases such as osteoarthritis and spondylosis. In addition, you help your dog avoid muscle degradation and limited mobility. The cardiovascular system also needs exercise. The only exception is if your dog is prescribed complete rest. However, it is normal for an aging body to tire faster and need more time to recover.

The performance of the cardiovascular system and the musculoskeletal system decreases. Joints can suffer from one or another type of osteoarthritis, muscles become weaker. If we now insist that our pet maintain the same amount of movement as an adult dog, we will overload him. His joints will be overloaded and begin to ache. His muscles will be overstrained. His heart will have to deliver more energy than it can. Your dog will become exhausted and worn out.

How to organize physical activity for an elderly dog without overloading it

Your dog’s physical activity should take into account its age and health, but don’t forget about variety.

I recommend that you take several short walks with her instead of, for example, two long walks. Constant movement will have a beneficial effect on the dog, and the recovery phases after the walk will be noticeably shorter. In short, your dog will be less tired and will be able to distribute its energy better. This will have a positive effect on its life expectancy.

Additional tip: When walking in the fall and winter, it will be very helpful for your older dog to be protected by a dog jacket.

Regular “gymnastics” is a small addition to physical activity with an excellent effect

With regular, targeted exercise, you can keep your senior dog fit and slow down the aging process considerably. These can be simple, everyday exercises such as giving a paw, the “stay-sit” command, or moving from “stand” to “place” that are performed regularly by the dog. They train mobility and muscles. In addition, coordination, balance, and body awareness remain stable thanks to this. And regular exercise also means brain activity.

When movements become more difficult and support is needed:

It is quite common that in everyday life, movements that were previously quite normal become difficult to perform, and the dog feels insecure. In recent years, various aids have been developed for this purpose, which I would like to recommend to you.

Auxiliary means for safe climbing of stairs

Many older dogs have difficulty climbing stairs. Some pets can be easily lifted up the stairs. But starting from a certain size, this becomes a difficult task. For this purpose, aids have been developed that help your dog climb stairs. There are aids that only support the front or back legs. There are also those that support the dog’s entire body. You can easily use them if your dog has difficulty getting up or if he needs help and a little support when walking.

When choosing aids, make sure they fit well and are made of durable, tear-resistant material. The material should also be soft and not cut into the body anywhere. Neoprene is often used, which is also easy to clean and dries quickly.

Dog ramps for cars to prevent falls and injuries

If your dog is standing in front of the open trunk and hesitantly shifting from one paw to the other instead of quickly jumping in, it’s time to help him get in and out of the car. Of course, you can lift him into the car. However, depending on the size of the dog, it may be easier for both parties to use a ramp. Always make sure the ramp is wide enough for your dog, not too steep, and not slippery. Also, I recommend that you always stand next to him when using a ramp. This way, you can steady your dog if he loses his balance. Using a dog ramp will give your senior dog the ability to get in and out of the car safely.

Paw and claw protection – for better grip at home and on walks

Many people still make fun of dog shoes. However, this has nothing to do with fashion accessories. For some four-legged friends, this is a necessity. For example, when dogs can no longer stand on slippery floors. Such shoes prevent slipping and thus falling. They also protect the paws and claws of dogs, which “slip” with their paws when sliding. I recommend that you always make sure that the shoes fit well. They should not be too tight, but they should not slip off either. There are shoes that can be used indoors. There are also special outdoor shoes made of other materials. Their soles have a different profile.

Bandage

Braces give your dog stability. They support and relieve the joints. Ligaments and tendons become weaker as they age. Many dogs are prone to, for example, weakened ligaments. So it is a great help when the joints are supported and guided with braces. I recommend that you get individual advice from a physiotherapist or orthopedist.

Elevated drinking and feeding area

An elevated feeding and drinking area is a great help in old age, especially for large dogs. Your dog does not have to lean forward. The load on the joints is distributed evenly. The pet can eat in a comfortable position.

Good nutrition and healthy sleep

Make sure your dog eats a balanced, healthy, and best-suited diet. Good nutrition not only affects how he feels right now, but also has a long-term impact on his health and aging process. There are also many different supplements that can help your dog as he ages. In addition to proper nutrition, good sleep is important. Dogs sleep 17-20 hours a day, and even more as they get older. So make sure you have a good place to lie so your dog can really rest while he sleeps, and his joints and back are free and relieved of stress.

As a result, you will make life easier for your senior dog.

You see, there are many simple things that you can easily put into practice every day to make your dog’s life easier in old age. Some of them also have a positive effect on the dog’s aging process. It is important that your beloved pet stays active even in old age (with the support of aids) and is not sidelined.