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Coping With Elderly Pets

By Alexa - Happy Trails Kennels  

 

Our pets are living longer these days due to improvements in veterinary care.  The question is, are you prepared to cope with an elderly pet?

My eldest Springer recently turned thirteen years old so I have some experience with this issue.  She's been a spectacular jumper her entire life.  This is where the breed derives it's name.  But, as she aged, she could no longer jump up and into the bed.  It seemed that her hips and knees ached.  If you don't allow your dogs into your bed, then this is not a concern, but for some people it is.  There are two solutions to this problem. 

The first is to purchase a little set of dog stairs at the pet store and teach your senior pet how to use them to get into the bed.  This will require patience and many tasty treats.  Another, perhaps slightly radical solution is to toss out your box springs and lay the matress on the floor and use it as a bed.  This is strange looking and an adjustment for the human owner, but I think that many people might be surprised at the number of dog lovers that have taken this route.

Elderly dogs can be easily stressed out, so if you must travel, a pet sitter is the better route to go.  Please see prior posts for finding the best, most responsible, and trustworthy pet sitter you can find for your dog.

 

I've yet to find a veterinarian that will come to your home to treat your dog, however, there are a number of mobile groomers who will come to your home and groom your dog for a reasonable price.  They are easily found in the phone book. The important thing to remember is that you want to find a competant, loving groomer for your dog, then you want to get your dog on a regular schedule with him or her.  This is especially important with mobile groomers.  If you like the mobile groomer you've found, then as soon as you complete one grooming, go ahead and book your next appointment.  Good hygiene will extend your dog's life by preventing infections.

One problem I've encountered with grooming my elderly dog, especially in the winter, is that they are suddenly far more subject to the cold.  My older Springer would shake and shiver and look miserable.  I tried wrapping her in blankets and placing her next to a space heater but those solutions didn't work because she likes to follow me around my home as I work all day. 

Finally, on a trip to the pet store, I stumbled upon a wonderful solution-doggie sweaters!  Since it was the end of the winter season, I was able to find several very low cost, warm, cute doggie sweaters and that did the trick.  After putting it on her, she seemed so warm and cozy that she spent most of the day sleeping again!

Finally, there's the issue of incontenance.  Another neat product that is out there for dogs is the indoor doggie potty.  It usually consists of a tray and some artificial turf.  The idea is that your dog will go potty there because you've sprayed it with the accompanying "encouragement" spray.  This is another issue that may require a little patience. 

"In my home, I've created a doggie restroom." 

First, I noticed where my older girl liked to relieve herself when she wasn't feeling up to going outside.  After having the carpet cleaner cleanse those spots, I covered the area with six to eight puppy training pads which I taped to the carpet.  On top of that layer of puppy training pads, I placed an official doggie potty purchased at the pet store and I sprayed it with the special spray which is supposed to attract the correct behavior.  If your dog doesn't like any particular place in your home to go potty, then you'll have to use baby gates or doggie gates to block off some area of your home and make that the official doggie potty area.  Then, line it with puppy training pads, put the doggie potty down on top of the puppy training pads and make your elderly dog spend a little time in that area between naps.

Best wishes,

Alexa - Happy Trails Kennels Team!

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