Pets have unique and specialized care requirements. When you own a pet, you agree to take care of all of its pet care needs, including food, water, exercise, medical care, and any other special requirements. Caring for senior dogs, in particular, has its own set of care requirements. Approximately 37 to 47% of all households in the United States have a dog, with many of them being at a senior age. If you are currently caring for a senior dog, keep the following healthcare for pets tips in mind.
Routine exercise
Everyone knows that puppies require great amounts of exercise. Few know that senior?s dogs also benefit from regular exercise. Pets, just like humans, tend to gain weight easier as they age. If they are not active, they can quickly become overweight. It is important to create a daily routine of exercise for your senior pet. Understand their limitations and find exercises that work for them. Daily walks can be a great exercise activity, as they are minimal labor, but can help with controlling weight.
Dietary needs
Caring for senior dogs means feeding them the correct type of food. When you get a new puppy, you are recommended to feed it puppy based food. Puppy food usually has higher fat contents to burn more energy. However, as a pets needs change, so should their diets. Older dogs are less active and may have added dietary restrictions. Understand your pets health needs and lifestyle to choose the best type of food for them. You might have to shop around until you find a food that meets their needs and that they enjoy.
Regular medical checkups
Many vets recommend older pets have more checkups. An increased number of medical checkups find medical problems sooner. When your pet has regular medical checkups, they can be prescribed needed medications or supplements. The U.S. currently spends $12.56 billion on pet supplies and over the counter medicine each year. Some vet offices may even have special senior rates or senior checkups that you can schedule for your older pet.
Consider pet insurance
Pets can be expensive. Caring for senior dogs can also be very expensive. If your pet develops a medical condition, you could end up spending thousands on medical care, medications, and specialized medical equipment. In fact, the U.S. spends $13.59 billion on vet care each year. If emergency pet care is not in your budget, pet insurance may be helpful. Pet insurance works similar to human health insurance. It covers many of the emergency services that your older pet might require. You may be required to pay a small copay, but it is often much more affordable than the overall cost of the medical care. Pet insurance can be purchased from the time you first get your new pet, and is helpful for life care.
Caring for senior dogs can be overwhelming, especially if you are not prepared for what it requires. However, you can ensure that your senior dog is well taken care of by purchasing pet insurance, creating a daily exercise routine, scheduling regular vet checkups, and changing their food to complement their new dietary needs. Caring for senior dogs is similar to caring for younger dogs, except that you have to be more watchful for developing medical problems.