Like all dogs, a senior dog makes a loyal, loving and wonderful family pet whether he's been with his family his entire life or he's a new addition to the family.

We certainly know what it's like to watch your faithful friend grow old and it's no fun. We find ourselves beginning to worry about the amount of time we may have left with our senior dog and what we can do to extend that amount of time.

That's what this article is about. It's to alert you to the fact that it's never too late to make helpful changes for your old friend. This is especially true when it comes to nutrition.

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE YOUR DOG'S DIET!

We've really come a long way over the years and caring for our old friend is easier than it used to be.

Returning The Favor To Our Faithful Friends

When you think about it, a dog's endurance is pretty amazing. No matter how much pain a dog is in or how sick he may be, his loyalty to his owner NEVER waivers. Faithful to the end. Times have changed tremendously and most dog owners too will step up to the plate to give their dog the care he needs.
When it comes to our own dogs, we've been very fortunate as far as longevity goes, especially since all of our dogs are large breed. The youngest of our dog's to cross the rainbow bridge was 14 and the oldest was 17 years young.

If you're reading this article then chances are that you're alot like us and you want your senior dog to either remain healthy or your want to work on his health. What we have found is that dogs respond tremendously to a natural and healthy routine.

This means eliminating all the junk from your dog's life including chemical flea treatments and low grade dog foods and treats. The body is incredible; whether human or animal, it responds positively when given the chance.

So, if you're feeding a supermarket dog food or a dog food from Walmart, Target, etc., we recommend that you consider a better food for your senior dog and one that includes some healthy protein sources.

These protein sources should be the first couple ingredients on the label and they should be QUALITY PROTEIN. Read more on what actually makes the best dog food. It's not true that senior dogs REQUIRE LESS PROTEIN; in fact, BETTER QUALITY PROTEIN SOURCES are a MUST! They don't require more food, but they do require a food that has a higher amount of quality protein.

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Look to smaller pet stores who generally carry high quality brands of dog food. You can also review our 10 best dog food list and purchase your dog's food right here online and set it up so that you receive automatic deliveries.

Our Tips For A Happy, Active Old Dog

Dogs aren't materialistic and do not require name brand and designer items to make them happy. They're simple creatures with the very basic of needs.

• We can't recommend to you strongly enough that you have a GOOD vet. Every veterinarian is not created equal. We also strongly recommend that you consider a holistic veterinarian who will work with your dog as a whole vs only treating symptoms which is what traditional vets typically do.
• If your senior pet is having difficulty getting up from hardwood floors, etc. or he's beginning to drag his back legs when he walks due to hip issues, a good Dog Boot can help give him traction and protect his feet when dragged.
• If your dog has trouble with arthritis, avoid stairs whether it's up or down as often as possible. Limit walks to a few short walks. If your dog has problems with his wrists due to arthritis, then going down the stairs is going to be more painful than going up.

You should also consider supplementing his diet with an all natural liquid form of glucosamine to repair joint tissue. We recommend a liquid form vs powder or pills simply because it works faster.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOUR DOG IS IN SUCH BAD SHAPE THAT NOTHING HELPS - START AT THE FIRST SIGN OF DISCOMFORT AND CONTINUE!

• Natural pain medicines have come far and there are several alternatives to the DANGEROUS NSAIDS when it comes to relieving pain. Vist our blog for more information on controlling your old dog's pain, where we include a comparison table of both prescription and non-prescription medicines to help with pain.
• Bloodwork is VERY IMPORTANT and will let you know if there's a problem that you may not of been aware of without the bloodwork (eg; kidney and liver issues or cancer). Don't procrastinate; have bloodwork done on your old friend every 6 months to be on the safe side.
• Senior fur babies need more sleep and you should provide a clean, comfortable bed for your old dog away from any cold air flow. Orthopedic dog beds are made specifically to relieve pain and they really make a difference for dogs suffering from arthritis or hip-dysplasia.
• A raised food bowl is much easier on dogs of any age and despite statistical studies done by Purdue University, we still believe (along with many top breeders) that raised dog bowls are better for dogs than eating hunched over and taking in excess air.
• Your dog's teeth should be a concern from puppyhood through your dog's twilight years. Again, DON'T RELY on dog foods and treats that CLAIM to clean your dog's teeth. It's almost always a ridiculous, unrealistic claim! Take a close look at your dog's teeth including those back molars. We use an all natural spray to clean our dog's teeth and it safely removes plaque and tarter build-up on the teeth. It works wonderfully!

  Help your dog by cleaning his teeth regularly. Often times when a dog's teeth are bothering him, he may seem down and depressed, sleep more than usual, struggle to eat kibble, have blood around the gums as well as bad breath. Consider a softer food in the form of either a freeze-dried or dehydrated formula and feed premium all natural soft treats as well. BAD TEETH ARE PAINFUL!

• Lots of fresh water for your best friend and if you have filtered water through your kitchen sink, provide that instead (directly from the refrigerator might be too cold if his teeth are sensitive). FILTERED WATER IS MUCH BETTER FOR YOUR OLD FUR BABY!
• Cognitive Dysfunction is common in older dogs and many owners struggle with what might be going on with their dog. Learn more about why your dog may be doing things she normally doesn't do: Senility AKA CD In Dogs
• With age, dogs may need to be left out to do their business more, because they just can't hold it as long. This is why it's so important to have your dog checked every six months, because frequent urination could be due to problems such as diabetes or kidney disease. Read more about incontinence in dogs and available help.
• Keep a doggy sweater around for your senior friend especially if he's a short haired dog.
• Watch Your Dog's Eyes And Ears:

  Cataracts are common in older dogs and veterinarians don't usually recommend surgery unless your dog is having extreme difficulty finding his way around. Today there are all-natural products available that supposedly minimize cataracts and heal corneal ulcers as well.

  Like older people, your senior dog may start to lose his keen sense of hearing which is normal. It's important that you keep the ears clean and free of wax, yeast, mites and infection. Chronic ear infections are usually secondary to another problem such as allergies and/or poor nutrition. If your senior dog is suffering with chronic ear problems, we encourage you to take a close look at your dog's diet including necessary supplements as well as hygiene. Read more on ear problems in dogs here.

• Keeping your senior dog clean plays an important role in how he feels. You feel good when you're clean and so does your dog! Bathe your dog regularly (this doesn't mean daily or weekly). Take into consideration the time of year. We bathe our dog's every 4-6 weeks during the warmer months and we wipe them down with a clean damp cloth (like a little sponge bath) during the colder months and dry them of course. However, dogs with allergies, skin infections and yeast problems should be bathed twice a week. Myth: You shouldn't bathe your dog often.
• Don't assume because your dog's older that he doesn't need or want exercise. This is VERY far from the truth. Your senior dog should be exercised daily just like younger dogs.
• Spend time with your dog going for walks and doing whatever it is that your friend still likes to do. Snuggle often and be grateful for the time that you have with your old friend. It's not long enough.

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