As much as we pet owners hate to think about it, the reality is that our four-legged friends will age much faster than we will. While we might like to deny it, our pets will inevitably go through the process of aging, which can mean dealing with discomfort from time to time. However, there are many things we can do for our canine companions and many senior pet products on the market that are made to help them remain as comfortable as possible as they age, and help them maintain the lifestyle they’ve become accustomed to for as long as possible.

What to Look for as Your Pet Ages

The first step to taking the best care possible of your little guy or gal is to know the signs of aging and what they mean for your pet. First you’ll want to keep an eye out for joint issues, which can cause pain and indicate that your pet’s routine may need to be slightly altered to keep them comfortable and avoid injury. Joint pain can be caused by arthritis or just generally weakened joints, which is a natural part of the aging process. A few physical signs that can alert you to this condition are lagging behind on walks, limping, hopping when running, an altered gait, difficulty jumping up on to the bed, couch, car seats or other areas your pet can usually access, and difficulty going up and down stairs. You’ll also want to watch your canine’s dental hygiene closely, as dental issues can lead to infections that can quickly spread beyond the mouth and cause serious illness if not addressed in a timely manner.

Helping Your Dog Through the Aging Process

If you’ve noticed any of the above signs of aging in your dog, or would like to get a jump start on the care-taking process, check out the following senior pet products that were made with your companion in mind, offering extra support, comfort, rehabilitation and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.

Ramp: If your dog has arthritis or weakening joints, accessing the places he or she is used to being able to jump to can be a daily struggle, and a painful one at that. If your four-legged friend is having trouble making it on to the couch, up to the bed, or in to the car, a ramp is one of the best senior pet products you can invest in.

Booties: These are an easy and inexpensive way to keep dogs’ legs from slipping out from under them as their joints and muscles begin to have a harder time doing the trick.

Exercise Ball: This is a standout among our list of senior pet products because it can actually help reverse the symptoms of aging in dogs when used consistently. By balancing your dog’s front end on the exercise ball, its hind limbs are gradually strengthened.

Harness: For dogs with hip and joint issues that cause trouble walking, a harness is a great way to take the pressure off of their joints to alleviate pain and facilitate exercise.

Orthopedic Mattress: This helps offer support to compromised joints while your pet rests and restores its energy.

For healthy, all-natural dog food to go with your senior pet products, check out The Dog Bakery  today!

Rocky Kanaka

Rocky Kanaka is an entrepreneur, pet rescue advocate and dog dad to a rescue boxer named Flip, a blind Cane Corso called Kobe, and a terrier mix named Zoey. He's also a pet chef and owner of The Dog Bakery, which specializes in dog birthday cakes and fresh baked dog treats. His three dogs can't get enough of the dog cakes and treats!

Lorna Ladd

Lorna Paxton Ladd is a passionate dog lover and enthusiast of The Dog Bakery. She loves spoiling her 3 rescue dogs with dog cakes and jerky. A 15 year veteran in the pet industry, her aim is to educate pet parents on the best recipes, products, tips and tricks to optimize the human/canine bond. Her favorite product at The Dog Bakery are the customizable dog birthday cakes.