Older dogs have special needs. If you decide to bring home an older dog you will need to do some special things for him. His health, his activities, his comfort in your home, his diet -- all of these things will depend on you.
Whether you are adopting an older dog, you receive one from a friend, or you find an older dog as a stray, your first step should be to take your new friend to the vet. Even if your older dog looks healthy, many times older dogs have some hidden health issues that you can’t see. Your older dog will need geriatric health screening at some point but you may not need to do that right away. Your vet should, however, look at your dog’s teeth to make sure they are in good shape. Poor teeth can often cause an older dog to be unable to eat properly. This can lead to loss of weight and general poor health. Your vet can make sure that your older dog is current on vaccinations -- although you should not over-vaccinate an older dog. This general checkup should be able to catch any immediate health problems in your dog.
You should also pay close attention to the diet of your older dog. What has he been eating? What kind of condition is he in? Is he too thin? Too fat? If he’s in good condition you can continue to feed him what he’s used to eating, but if he needs to gain or lose weight you can gradually switch him to a better food. You do not have to choose a “senior” dog food. Experts are split on whether these senior foods are actually good for older dogs. Many dogs lose weight on them. They are generally designed for dogs that gain weight in their later years -- they are tested on Labrador Retrievers and Beagles, which gain weight easily. If you have a breed that loses weight when they’re older, as many dogs do, these senior foods would be a bad choice. Instead, you can continue feeding a dog food for “all life stages.” You can add supplements for joint health, such as glucosamine-chondroitin, MSM and others, if you wish. People are divided on whether these supplements actually help an older dog but they don’t do any harm.
If your older dog has any particular health conditions, as diagnosed by your vet, you can add the appropriate supplements or medications.
If your older dog has hip dysplasia or other joint problems, you can work on activities that may help him. Swimming is often good for some hip dysplasia. If your dog is overweight then moderate exercise, such as long walks with you, is highly recommended. Find the appropriate exercise for your older dog. He’s not a young dog anymore but he can and should partake of exercise that he’s able to do.
Finally, make sure that you keep your older dog comfortable in your home. His joints and bones may be achy sometimes. Provide him with comfortable places to sleep, such as a soft doggy bed. Orthopedic doggy beds are very good for dogs with any kind of hip dysplasia. If your dog has joint problems or just feels old and moves more slowly, heated beds or heating pads under some covers can make him feel better. If your dog eats more slowly because he’s missing some teeth give him plenty of quiet time to eat his food. Don’t rush him.
Your older dog may take some time to adjust to living in your home but he will most likely be very happy living with you if you do your best to take good care of him. Follow these tips and your older dog will adjust to your home very quickly.