Senior Dog Care Tips For Labrador Owners


When you bring home a dog, you bring them home for life. This is something that many new owners neglect to consider fully when they decide to purchase or adopt a dog. Luckily, most owners are well aware of the needs and requirements of caring for an elderly dog. If you are used to having a fun-loving energetic labrador when they begin to age it can be a bit of a shock how tired and lethargic they can become. They are still funloving balls of fluff, just much more tired balls of fluff. If you are someone whose labrador is quickly approaching their golden years, ensuring you have a very good understanding of what they will want and need is so important. Luckily, this article is here to help. Here you will find a thorough breakdown of all of the main things to consider when preparing to care for your senior labrador.

Old black labrador dog

Make Sure Your Senior Dog Eats Age-appropriate Food:

All dogs need a well-balanced diet to ensure they are happy and healthy. But, as your dog ages, there are some considerations to make. For example, if your dog is old and tired it won’t want to walk or run as much. This can lead to a steady gain in weight. This isn’t a problem so long as you cut down on the quantities of their food slightly. Just like people, if you eat more calories than you burn you will gain weight. So if your dog is moving around less he or she will need less food. Don’t worry, you aren’t starving them. If you are a labrador owner you know how hungry they can be. They won’t like the decrease in food, but it is in their best interest. You can also give your lab food specially formulated for senior dogs Related post: Why Labradors Eat So Much?

It is also important to ensure you are giving them a decent amount of fiber in their diet. Senior dogs are more prone to constipation, fiber will make going to the bathroom far easier for them. As your dog ages, he or she will start to struggle to relieve itself. Doing whatever you can to make this easier for them is a kind thing to do. If you include beans, rice, and some fruit in their diet you will likely notice an immediate improvement. Luckily, beans and rice are very low in calories so they are perfect for a calorie-restricted diet.

A good option to feed your older Labrador is to give him fresh food made with the best ingredients and specially formulated for your dog’s needs. There are companies like ollie that offer dog diets specially designed according to the specific needs of your Labrador, you simply have to create a profile for your pet and they will create a nutritional plan for your dog, and best of all, they send it to you. home, click here to know more

Make Special Accommodations So Your Dog Can Move Comfortably:

Low mobility in the canine world is very common as dogs get on in age. They frequently get arthritis and other soreness around their joints making moving long distances quite difficult. It is especially difficult to jump or climb. Your dog will find it harder and harder to do simple things like jump on the couch or climb up the stairs. There are a few things you can do to make this easier for them. First of all, you could make a small ramp for them to get up onto the couch. Of course, your dog could sleep on a bed on the floor, but if they are used to sitting on the couch with you forcing them to suddenly stop can be upsetting for them.

The stairs can be a little more difficult. You can ensure that all of their belongings such as teddy bears and blankets are downstairs, reducing the need for them to attempt the climb. The disadvantage of having a bigger dog like a labrador is that you can’t just carry them up the stairs. Perhaps you can, but they likely won’t find it very pleasant. You could try to fashion a ramp up the stairs to make the steps less severe, but this is a lot of work. Another thing that many people fail to consider is just how difficult it is for your dog to jump into the car. Again, ramps are the answer. You may find your house full of ramps by the time you are done outfitting it, but that’s the cost of opening your house up fully to your senior lab.

An old senior Chocolate Labrador Retriever dog surprised from sleep.

Make Your Dog Exercise Regularly:

As your dog ages, he or she will find moving around more and more difficult. They may eventually stop wanting to go on a walk or play fetch altogether. If this is the case, encouraging them to come on a 5-minute walk around the block with you via treats and praise is so important. If this becomes too much, simply having them walk from one room in your house to another now and again is enough to get the blood flowing. Moving around can become quite painful, but, not moving can be even worse. Joints seize up and can become very tight and sore. By encouraging your lab to move around a bit you can stop this from happening. It also helps prevent blood clots.

Regular Vet Visits And Medical Care:

There are two points in a dog’s life where they need to visit the vet as frequently as possible. When they are very young and when they are very old. These are the times they are the most vulnerable. As your dog ages ensuring they visit the vet every 6 months at the very minimum just for checkups is so important. Your vet will be able to point you in the direction of any trouble spots to watch out for. There are several things that all senior dogs are prone to. Arthritis, poor eyesight, cancer, heart problems, and hip dysplasia. Labradors, if purebred, are more prone to hip dysplasia than non-purebred breeds. You can find a pretty thorough breakdown of all the major health issues you should look out for in your labrador here.

Related post: Why is My Labrador Having Trouble Walking?

Since elderly dogs are more prone to getting cancer, checking them for lumps is a good idea. They are often found around the joints and tendons of your lab. Sometimes the bumps are just fat build-up and are nothing to be worried about. However, they can also be tumors or cysts growing on your poor pup. Catching them early on is the most effective way of treating them. If you focus on keeping an eye out for any unusual lumps and bumps, you can leave the rest to your vet. Don’t be afraid to call them if you have any questions or concerns. It is better to be safe than sorry when cancer is involved.

Old yellow dog Labrador Retriever is lying on the beach while sunset in the summertime, Poland, orange sky and blue sea

The Importance Of Grooming Your Senior Dog:

Grooming your dog is very important. It doesn’t become less important over time, so ensuring you keep up with a good grooming routine is a great idea. The routine can help you and your dog keep some normalcy in your relationship. If you pick one time of the day, a few days of the week, to do all of your grooming it can help your dog keep a reference of time. Dogs are far more time conscious than we give them credit for. If you keep track of how well your dog remembers its time for grooming it can give you a relatively good idea about just how “with it” they are.

Now, the actual grooming. Elderly dogs are prone to a build-up of wax and fluid in their ears. And around their eyes. Wiping these with a damp cloth as gently as possible is enough to keep them nice and clean. If you fail to do this you increase your dog’s chance of getting an infection. The older your dog is, the more devastating a bad infection can be. Labradors only need bathing about once a month, this should be continued even as they age. Keeping their coats clean will stop fleas and ticks from taking root. Related post: An Introduction To Labrador Grooming

Spend Quality Time With Your Senior Dog:

The most important thing to keep in mind is that your dog still wants to be your friend. Truthfully that’s pretty much all they want. Spending time together, be it on a walk or just cozied up on the couch, is going to be so special for you both. Being around your dog as he or she ages can be very reassuring to them. Old age brings anxiety and confusion, seeing you will likely soothe them and center their focus. When your dog is in its final days, you will want to be around them as much as possible. You will one hundred percent regret it if you don’t.

Can Cbd Oil Help Senior Dogs?

CBD oil is interestingly a fantastic supplement to give to your dog. Did you know that CBD oil is primarily used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety medication? This is great for people AND dogs. Elderly labs are very prone to feeling stressed and getting arthritis. CBD oil can relieve inflammation in the joints drastically reducing symptoms of arthritis. CBD oil can also help the mind feel more relaxed and at ease. By giving your dog a few drops of CBD oil every day you can greatly improve their quality of life. You can read more about how CBD oil can help dogs in this great article here.

Related post: Benefits Of CBD Oil For Labrador Retrievers

Check out these great CBD treats for senior Labrador Retrievers

RELATED POST: CBD OIL FOR LABRADOR RETRIEVERS

Conclusion:

Hopefully, you now have a pretty good idea about some of the things you need to consider when you have a senior dog. The best thing you can do is give your dog the attention he or she craves. Spending time together, going on little walks, doing medical checkups, and playing games is the best way to spend your time. For both you and your lab. As your lab ages feel free to be more liberal with the treats you are providing them. Many people try to force a harsh diet on their pups during their final days. This isn’t needed. Instead, feel free to give them all the treats you want. Make their final days as comfortable as possible. But, if your dog still has a few good years left. Ensure you stick rigidly to their healthy diet. It is important to keep them around as long as possible. No one wants to say goodbye to their furry little friend.

If you want to find the best pet insurance for your labrador, click here

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