Special Considerations for Older Dogs
There are a number of things you can do around the house to make your older dog more comfortable.
If you know his sight and/or vision are deteriorating, put off any major redecorating or remodeling plans. Your old dog can navigate around familiar sofas, chairs, or tables and will know the smells of familiar carpets or other floor surfaces. Making major changes to the layout of familiar rooms will thoroughly confuse a blind dog, which will further stress him and make his condition worse.
Don't yell at a dog who can't hear well. Communicate more through sight and touch. Pet your dog to get his attention, then beckon him to where you want him to be. Use the hand signals you taught him over the years to help him understand what you want.
If your dog is having trouble getting up and down the stairs, can't jump up on the sofa to watch TV with you, or has trouble getting in and out of the car, you should lift or carry him if you can. If your dog weighs too much for you to be able to do this, consider building some simple ramps to help him. The ramps will need to be covered with some kind of nonslip material. Your dog will be so much happier if he is not banned from his favorite spots because of his failing health.
Your dog may not be able to get up and down stairs as easily as she used to. Some pet suppliers offer hand-held slings, which can be used to help your friend up and down the stairs with relative ease. These can also be a helpful tool when getting in and out of automobiles. Ramps are also a popular alternative when your dog has problems negotiating inclines such as steep steps or access to your automobile.
Speaking of favorite spots, these are usually the softest, coziest places in the house. Older dogs especially appreciate them. A flip through any dog supply catalog will show that there are all sorts of beds made to make geriatric dogs more comfortable, from egg-carton foam beds to specially heated pads. These are designed to relieve arthritic joints and to keep calluses from forming on the joints.
“Other Dogs” and Old Dogs
Is it a good idea to get a younger dog or a puppy when your dog starts getting old? Will this new addition reinvigorate your canine senior citizen, 285 or will it send her into an irreversible funk and bring on a quicker death? Will you find yourself so involved in caring for the new dog that you somehow neglect your old friend when she may need you most?
These are all things to think about before you add another dog to your household while your own dog is in her golden years. She may, in fact, find a new friend invigorating and revert to a kind of second puppyhood. Or she might withdraw altogether. Puppies are truly irresistible, while older dogs have their share of problems that are not always pleasant to deal with. Even unconsciously, you may find yourself giving all your attention to the newcomer, which will not make your older dog feel good.
Before you get another dog, sit down and really think about how your dog may react. Don't get a puppy so there will be another dog in the house when your old dog's time comes. Don't get another dog if your dog is used to being Number One and is not particularly well socialized.
