The simple answer is YES. Do these 6 things to keep them around as long as possible:
1. Diet, Diet, Diet. This is a clear number 1 and shouldn't be a surprise. The simple truth is that dogs that eat less live longer. According to a 2011 study, dogs who were raised on a restricted-calorie diet - about 25% less than "normal" recommended amount of food - lived an average of 2 years longer than dogs who were fed more. You can start by looking at your dog. Do they look overweight... then it's probably time for a diet. Obese dogs are more likely to develop heart disease and debilitating joint problems that can lead to early death, so help your dog stay fit and trim. Talk to your vet about the right diet for your dog.
Orthopedic memory foam dog beds will significantly ease the aches and pains associated with joint/muscle/hip pains common in aging dogs. Most dogs spend approximately 80% of their time at rest, even more for senior dogs, so it's important they get quality rest for that 20% active time. Dogs should have a comfortable memory foam dog bed wherever they rest. Make sure the mattress is thick memory foam (at least 4 inches). Our 5" thick waterproof, memory foam dog bed has consistently been rated one of the most orthopedic beds on the market and the best value. The best part is that we (Better World Pets) donate 10% of our profits to the Humane Society!
3. Daily Physical Exercise. It's vital your dog receive daily exercise. You want to keep your dog moving so they don't stiffen up and lose mobility over time. Make sure you take it easy and stop if your dog is showing signs of discomfort or stress though. You can try a treadmill to offer controlled steady walking. Daily walks should still be considered mandatory for an aging Fido.
Dogs really enjoy seeing new places and experiencing unfamiliar smells. Make sure you switch up your walks so they stay engaged and excited. Most aging dogs love to take a car ride or travel with their best human friends also. There's a ton of dog-friendly hotels now, so consider bringing your fury friend along on your next vacation.
4. Mental Exercise. Don't forget your dog also gets exercise from mental stimulation. We tend to forget about exercising our dog's mind once they reach a certain age, but it's important for their overall health and well-being to continue daily mental activity and training. Plus, they love it!
There are several articles on-line and videos on YouTube explaining senior dog friendly games and activities we can do with them. There are many games that require very little mobility to perform. Just 15 minutes a day of these type of exercises can have huge benefits to your dog's overall health. After all, they're mammals just like us.
Here's a great game you can play with your furry friend: Getting your dog to use his nose to find hidden treasure, like his favorite toy or treat, will stimulate all of his senses and build a positive bond between the two of you. To teach your adult dog how to play hide and seek, first command him to sit and hide the prize in an obvious area so they can watch to see where you’re putting it. Then give them a release signal to go find the toy. Once they find the toy, reward them big time. Once your dog is familiar with the rules, ramp up the difficulty of the exercise by hiding the toy or treat in a different room or underneath something. Get creative and hide the treats in cardboard boxes, in between couch cushions, or in different parts of your home.
5. Brush those teeth. Dental hygiene is an often overlooked part of pet care. Many of us simply forget to brush our dogs' teeth on a regular basis. Unfortunately, poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque, gingivitis, and eventually periodontal disease, a bacterial infection of the mouth that has been linked to heart disease and organ damage in dogs. Fortunately, it's not hard to keep your dog's teeth in shape. Simply brush their teeth regularly, provide safe chew toys and dental treats, and have the vet check their teeth at annual visits.
HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR DOG TODAY? YOU CAN PROVIDE AN ORTHOPEDIC MEMORY FOAM BED.
Dogs spend over 70% of their lives at rest, and senior dogs spend even more time on their beds. Better World Pets offers 4 different sizes of orthopedic memory foam beds for any size dog and our warranty is the best in the industry. Our beds are over 5" thick of pure premium shredded memory foam, waterproof, and have a special non-skid material on the bottom to prevent sliding. Our covers are twice as strong as most beds (180 gsm fabric), completely removable, and machine washable. Best of all we donate 10% of our profits to the Humane Society! Click on the image to learn more.
Our Story
Flagship Memory Foam Dog Bed
Best Customer Service!
Perfect Combo with Our Crates
