Dogs have been popular animal companions for humans for hundreds of years. Today, in the United States alone, there are millions of homes that have at least one dog as a pet. Having any pet is an enormous responsibility, but with dogs in particular it can become an even bigger issue, particularly as dogs grow older. Just as puppies have unique needs before they’re fully grown, senior dog care also features its own set of unique needs. If your dog is reaching his senior years, and you’re unsure of how to best care for it, check out this article as it will look at several tips for taking care of an older dog.

• Be Prepared for Potential Accidents: One thing to be aware of when taking care of a senior dog is that there’s a good chance accidents will start happening around the house again, particularly if your dog reaches an advanced age. No matter how well trained your dog is, it is not uncommon to hear of an older dog peeing in house due to medical issues that come with old age in dogs. If you see your older dog peeing in house, make sure you take them to the vet to see what is causing the issue. It would also be a good idea to invest in puppy pads once again, and place them by wherever your dog is used to going outside to use the bathroom.
• Keep Taking Your Dog on Walks: Another tip for taking care of an older dog is that you should definitely continue to take your dog on regular walks. Most dogs need to go on walks at least once a day, and that doesn’t change even as your dog gets older. To be sure, the length of the walk may not be as long as it used to be, but you should still take your senior dog outside for fresh air and exercise.
• Your Dog Will Still Want to Play: Similar to the previous tip, your senior dog will still want to play on a daily basis, and one tip is to make sure you continue to engage in play with your canine companion. Depending on the age, breed, and health, your dog should still get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Senior dogs still love to play, just as much as their younger counterparts do.
• Visits to the Vet Clinic Might Become More Frequent: And finally, one tip to keep in mind is that your visits to the veterinary clinic will probably become more frequent, particularly if your dog reaches an advanced age for its breed. Besides visiting the vet once a year for an annual checkup, your senior dog will likely need more frequent visits as their health becomes more fragile.

In conclusion, there are several tips you can follow for taking care of an older dog. This can include prepping your house for accidents if you see your older dog peeing in house, continuing to walk and play with your dog, and visiting the vet clinic more frequently. These are all tips for taking care of an older dog.