It should come as no secret that Americans love their dogs. In the United States there are about 46.3 million households with dogs. That means that between 37% and 47% of all American households and home to dogs. Every year, pet owners spend more than $20.46 billion of pet food and another $13.59 billion on vet care. From buying pet health insurance plans to looking into pet wellness plans, senior dog care is something many people care about. As our pets age, they have a lot of the same problems that people can have as we age. Here are some senior dog care tips to help your canine friends stay healthy and happy longer:

1. Get the right food for your dog. If you are not sure what the best food is for your aging dog, you should talk to your veterinarian. As dogs age, the kind and quality of food they are given becomes more and more important to keeping them healthy and active. Different breeds of dogs have different nutritional needs. Giving your dog the right food as they age is one of the simplest senior dog care tips for dog owners to follow.
2. Make sure they are at a healthy weight. People need to watch their own waistlines as they age and we all need to do the same thing for our dogs. As both cats and dogs age, they may put on weight. This can cause a lot of the same problems in pets as it does in people. It can also cause stress on their bodies and even damage to their internal organs. Keeping them away from table scraps and too much of the wrong kinds of foods is very important as a fog ages.
3. Make sure your dog gets the right amount of exercise. Older dogs may not be able to go as long or as far as younger dogs but they still need to get the right amount of exercise. Getting your dog enough activity in their day is very important for their physical and mental well being. Active dogs are happier dogs. Since many older dogs do not do well on really long walks or outings, taking them on more frequent walks that are shorter in duration is one senior dog care tip just about anyone can follow. In this area, a little exercise can go a long way towards keeping your canine companion healthy and happy. This is also a great way to keep them playful and fun.
4. Take them in for their annual physical. As dogs age, their yearly trip to the veterinarian becomes more crucial to maintaining their health. Most experts in senior dog care report that taking your pooch in for a yearly physical exam is a great way to keeping them healthy and happy. This is not just to make sure they get their yearly shots, as important as they are, but the veterinarian may be able to spot small problems and deal with them before they lead to larger health problems for your dog. Some breeds have problems with their hips, kidneys or other systems. Regular check ups can help the veterinarian help you keep your dog healthy and happy. They can also work with you to devise the right diet and exercise plan for your dog.
5. Pay attention to your dog’s teeth and gums. As dogs age, taking care of their teeth and gums becomes more and more important. They cannot tell you that their teeth or gums hurt and you may not know until they have serious problems and need to have teeth pulled. There are different kinds of bacteria in the mouth of your dog that can lead to serious health problems. Taking good care of your dog’s teeth and gums is an important part of keeping them healthy as they age. You can get help with this from your veterinarian’s office or clinic.

Most people view their pets as members of their family. Research shows that pets make people healthier and happier. In keeping with that, we want to keep our pets healthy and happy for as long as possible. These senior dog care tips can help.

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