How to Navigate Your Dogs Aging
Watching your pets age can be very challenging because you love them so much, but if you focus on the good, such as the time that you do get to spend with them, making them so happy, and helping them thrive by the small things you do, it will help you focus a bit less on the negatives, such as them having a harder time getting up and down, or walking up the steps.
When we first get a dog – especially if it is a puppy – you think that you will have such a long time with them, but time just seems to go by faster and faster and faster as the years go on. Before you know it, that little puppy is already twelve years old and the vet is calling them a senior and talking about what you can do to make them more comfortable. I know how hard this can be, and that is why I wanted to write this article on how to navigate your dogs aging. Here are a few ways to help:
Chat With Their Vet
First of all, start with your vet because they know how to help them through the aging process the most. Chat with them about the proper diet (there has been a lot of controversy around food with grains vs. food without grains lately), supplements, and more. Your vet should be able to help steer you in the right direction to make them as comfortable as process as they continue aging and also how to prolong their life (comfortably, of course!). As your dog ages, it might not be so comfortable for them to ride in the car anymore. If this is the case, do a little bit of research and see if there is a mobile vet in your area. There are so many great mobile vets in the Metro-Atlanta area, so check them out based on your individual area. Tip: there are also mobile grooming services as well now!
Physical Therapy
If your pup is having trouble with movement and/or pain, I highly recommend physical therapy services. My friend, Alex, did quite a bit of physical therapy with her dog after she tore both rear CCL’s (a dog CCL is an ACL in people terms). She did underwater treadmill therapy (water therapy), gym therapy, and laser therapy, as well. While Alex took her dog in for injury rehab, these are great options for aging dogs, as well. Based on your individual needs, there are so many other options too, such as chiropractic care, herbal medicine, massage, therapeutic exercise, and more. Physical therapy is a fantastic option for aging pets because it can help them feel great while staying as active as possible!
Shower Them With Love
A dogs life is unfortunately not extremely long, but that is why I always say that you need to shower them with as much love and affection as possible. Cuddle them, pet them, give them that hamburger that they are staring at, and make sure that they know that you love them. I used to think it was crazy how much some baby their animals…until I got my own. Shower them with as much love as you possibly can. After all, they love you so, so much and you should reciprocate that feeling.
Promote Dental Health
More and more, we are now starting to realize the importance of good dental health when it comes to senior pets (and really all pets, in general). Not only is dental disease extremely painful, but chronic infection is extremely bad for your dogs health. As your pup, or pups age, they often need an even more meticulous dental hygiene program, with both at-home care and also regular professional dental cleanings, as well. Since you are already chatting with your vet about supplements and diet, make sure you chat with them about dental health and regular cleanings, as well.
Talk With Someone
Like I mentioned above, going through your pets aging process is extremely challenging. If you are struggling with it for any reason at all, I highly recommend getting help from a professional. Watching your pets age is stressful and for a lot of people, it brings up feelings of sadness and anxiety. While these feelings can be very normal, if they seem to be getting out of control, or if you have trouble keeping them at bay, a counseling service such as Ray of Hope Counseling Services might be beneficial to you. They say, “we help, heal, and strengthen people to overcome life changes and challenges,” and I think that is so important because life changes constantly, especially with your pets, and those changes can be the cause of your stress and anxiety. If you are looking for a therapist Lawrenceville, Kennesaw, Alpharetta, Conyers, Athens, Canton, Peachtree City, Marietta, or even online counseling, they might be a good match for you.
Their counselors are highly trained to help you work on whatever you might be struggling with and in addition to the license and education that each therapist holds, each therapist at Ray of Hope Counseling Services also have additional training and/or hold certifications in their specialty area, which is very important when it comes to helping their clients with life changes and challenges. Clinical Director and Founder, Lynn Thompson Umstead, is a trained mental health professional with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Masters of Science degree in Clinical Psychology. In addition, Lynn also holds many certifications and/or licenses such as a National Certified Counselor, Imago Relationship Therapist, an Anger Management Specialist, and she is registered by the state of Georgia as a civil and divorce mediator. While Lynn does treat clients in a private practice setting, she also supervises interns and therapists working towards their full licensure.
Navigating your dogs aging process can be hard, but I hope these simple steps help you a bit more.
