Most fur babies love to get out of home on a daily basis; some would be happy to go out more than once a day. A good walk in a favorite route designed to challenge your puppy’s spirit can be satisfying; however, if your canine pet is tipping towards old age, then even if your pet has the will to cover huge distances, its body might be compelling it to slow down.
You should take special care if your fur companion is already suffering from critical health issues. Dogs with heart, renal, obesity, diabetes, and other severe medical conditions should follow vet-recommended diet and exercise to manage the issues. Without pet insurance, it can be financially challenging to provide quality health care to your senior pet during dire health scenarios.
Consider being prepared with dog insurance from early on in their life for the best value and minimal financial stress during accidents, particular illnesses, dental, emergencies, and much more. Right now, learn how to know if the long stroll, rapid pace, or uneven terrain is becoming too much to handle for your senior pet.
Read the below tips on what to expect and a few alternatives that help keep your older dog feeling fit and longing to head out.
Active time
Typically, a healthy dog must get about thirty-to-sixty-minute exercise every day. Suppose it sounds too much for your senior pet but your vet recommends the same duration; break the workout. Two to three ten-minute walks should be good enough for your pet, one each in the morning, noon, and late evening.
Working dog breeds like Border Collies, Rottweilers, and Labrador Retrievers are highly energetic and require about sixty-minute exercise daily to stay in shape and mentally active. Brief walks and active playtime help avoid weight gain and bone and joint issues accompanying those extra few kgs.
Keep an eye out for signs of fatigue
Be vigilant during the outing and quickly attend to your senior pet if it shows signs of tiring out, pain, or discomfort. Other things you should watch out for are –
- Lagging behind you during outdoor walks. Some dog parents consider it pretty normal. However, if your dog has always been walking ahead of you or next to you, this should be a warning that your furry baby’s walking routine needs to be adjusted. For instance, you can cut short the walking time to keep things simple.
- If your typically social dog is now hesitating to run or play with other animals at the park when leash free or doesn’t seem to be engaged with other fur babies at home, then it is undoubtedly a matter of concern.
- Hiding under the couch and retreating to its bed, blanket, crate, or sofa are signs of reluctance to leave home.
- Not getting excited even when you take out a leash for the morning stroll or being neutral to you picking the keys and putting on shoes when it’s time to head out.
- Struggling with climbing up and down the stairs, walking uphill roads, and limping after winding up the walk.
- Running to rest on the couch after a walk instead of looking for snacks after returning home and needing more recovery time after an outing.
A once-bouncy pup may not behave the same way in its older years, and health issues can be unpredictable and many unavoidable. Consider being prepared with pet insurance so that dealing with medical emergencies is much easier.
Dog insurance helps you provide top-notch health care for your senior dog and cope with the financials involved in getting it treated with little hassle. So, why not consider buying a policy?
