Dog Information >>>Senior Dog Articles >>> Aging Dogs and Furniture
Think about the older members of your own family or friends, and how they get through their day a bit easier with the help of small tools of assistance - for instance, special furniture, bars in the tub area, canes, walkers, and special hospital beds. Arthritis is an ailment for aging humans and their canine friends. The aging process weakens joints and bones. Special furniture can ease the discomfort for us as well as our aging dogs.
It just takes a few small changes to make life more comfortable for your aging dog. Their joints get stiff and sore. Hearing and vision start to fail. They have a tougher time controlling bodily functions and may need pads or diapers.
Begin by taking into consideration the benefits to your dog by investigating the wide selection of senior pet furniture available. If your senior dog is still sleeping on an older matress that may not be as comfortable for them as it was years ago.
Watch him as he is getting in and out of the bed. He may show signs of having difficulty or being extra stiff after sleeping in his bed. There are dog furniture pieces to correct the problem. The older they get, the more time they spend on their beds. Many dogs have aching joints and muscles there are dog beds that have been specially made to create a more comfortable space for your dog. From extra padding, heated matresses, cooling matresses - I could go on and on.
If your dog used to hop up on chairs and sofas to look out the window, you have a way of letting him do it again. First, you can let him get up on those pieces of furniture, by putting pet stairs in front of them. Many dogs sleep with their owners and the portable stairs may be all that is needed to return to that routine.
These stairs can also be taken to the car, to help him get in and out of the vehicle for a Sunday drive. There are many clever tools out there. You just need to do some research and surfing for the specialty shops.
Another inexpensive aide for taller dogs is an elevated feeding dish. This is something that would be beneficial to a tall dog even as at a young age. It enables your dog to eat at a comfortable angle to his food bowl instead of having to reach down towards the floor. For a senior dog, this is even more important as the neck and back are likely to be arthritic. They make durable and attractive elevated pet bowls and this set up will likely help minimize spilled food.
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