Now that you've decided to adopt an elderly dog and help make the rest of their life a comfortable experience, it's time to start prepping for their homecoming. Here are a few important prep steps to make when adopting an elderly dog:
Set Up Bi-Yearly Checkups
One of the most important things you'll need to do as soon as you bring your adopted elderly dog home is find a reliable veterinarian to work with. Once you establish your dog as a patient with your chosen veterinarian, you'll have the support and assistance you need to ensure their health as time goes on and can start scheduling the wellness appointments they'll need twice a year for the rest of their life. By creating a trustworthy relationship with your vet from the get go, you should find it less stressful and more convenient to address any health issues your adopted elderly dog may face as they get even older.
Create a Safe Space at Home
Most elderly dogs enjoy spending most of their time sleeping or lounging in a relaxing and stress-free environment. Lots of commotion and noise can scare them and make them tense or irritable, so it's a good idea to create a safe space somewhere in your home where the dog can rest and relax when visitors are over, the kids are making a lot of noise, or you want to move some furniture around.
Consider turning a corner of your walk-in closet into a safe space by setting up a wire kennel and putting a blanket and toys inside. You can put the dog in the kennel and close the door anytime you feel that they need a safe space to stay. If you don't have a walk-in closet, use the master bathroom or a bedroom where no action is expected to take place.
Set Up a Potty Area by the Door
If your elderly dog has been diagnosed with a health condition or if they've developed an arthritic condition, they may have potty accidents in the house – especially if they can't hold it until they catch the attention of someone who can give them access to the outdoors. To make life easier on you and your pooch, set up a potty area near the front or back door. You can layer puppy pads on top of some newspaper by the door, which is an option that is easy to clean up but isn't so appealing to dogs. Another option is to invest in an indoor dog potty system that is designed to look and feel like the outdoors, with real grass and all.
These prep steps are just a few of the important things you can do to make sure that your newly adopted elderly dog stays comfortable, safe, and happy after you bring them home. For more information, contact local professionals like Coastal Carolina Animal Hospital.
Share10 January 2017
Hello, my name is Katrina, and I love my dog. We live out in the country, so he is able to run a lot. He even has neighboring dogs who come to see him and play. However, fresh air and exercise are not the only things he needs. He also needs a healthy diet, the right shots, and care for his mental health. If you are a pet owner, you will love the tips that I plan to include in this blog. I'm going to focus these posts on everything you need to know to keep your dog happy and healthy. I hope these ideas help you, and I wish you and your pet many years of happiness and good health together.