A Complete Guide to Senior Dog Care: Mobility, Cognition & Longevity

Caring for Senior Dogs

As dogs grow older, they need a little extra support. Especially for their joints, brain health, and energy levels. Here is a complete guide to help you navigate life with your growing or senior dog. 

Mobility Support

• Daily movement
  A minimum of 30 minutes to 1 hour of walking daily can help keep your dog mobile, longer. 

• Joint supplements
  Joint support supplements can help slow down the deterioration of joint cartilage, lubricate joints to provide more comfort and help support healthy muscles and joints as dogs age. 

• Low-impact exercise
  Low-impact exercise like walking, swimming and gentle play can help dogs stay younger, and more flexible later in life. Swimming is great for dog's joints, mobility and range of motion. 

• Supportive bedding
  Providing a supportive bed for your dog can help protect their body and their joints. Senior dogs will gravitate towards soft yet supportive beds naturally as they provide support and comfort. 

Cognitive Support

• Mental stimulation
  Mental stimulation is just as important as daily exercise. Keeping your dog thinking and mentally active will help them manage stress, depression, anxiety and other issues that can impact a dog's mental health. Sniff walks, continued training and games/puzzles are great places to start.

• Enrichment
  Enrichment is a great way to keep your dog mentally sharp, focused and content. When a dog uses it's brain and critical thinking it not only helps the dog relieve stress and bent up energy, but it also promotes calmness and confidence. Games/puzzles that make your dog think and problem solve are great additions to their daily routine. 
  
  
• Decompression 
  Allowing your dog to unwind and decompress is important for healthy aging. Crate time, place time, and allowing your dog to self soothe are key to helping reduce stress and anxiety.
  
  

• Routine
  Some dogs value their daily and weekly routines. Try to set a daily and weekly routine for your dog including walks, grooming, play and enrichment. Do your best to stay consistent. 

• Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps for additional cognitive support
  Functional mushrooms such as lion's mane and cordyceps are proven to help protect the brain, cognitive function and energy levels. Lion's mane is known to promote focus, mental calmness, clarity and cognitive functional support. 

Daily Comfort

• Proper grooming
  Grooming and bathing are important for your dog to stay cozy and content. Some dogs are sensitive to environmental allergies and irritants. Keeping their fur brushed and clean can help them stay more comfortable.
  

• Nail maintenance
  Maintaining proper length nails is important especially for senior dogs. If a dog's nails grow too long, this can cause discomfort and instability. If a senior dog's nails are left too long, this can cause overcompensation when walking or worse, a fall or injury. Keeping your dog's nails and paw fur at the proper length will help to ensure they are stable and safe. 

• Hydration
  Providing your dog access to clean and consistent water is vital to your dog's health. Make sure your dog drinks enough water daily to remain properly hydrated for their activity levels. Also make sure you clean their water bowl daily to ensure that no harmful bacteria grows in their bowl. 

• Gentle walks
  Gentle, daily walks can help maintain healthy muscle and joints. Both of which are extremely important for your dog to stay mobile and pain-free. 

• Stretching or massages
  You may have noticed that your dog stretches their legs when they get on and off the couch or when the stand up from laying down. Your dog will naturally stretch their muscles and limbs to provide themselves relief. In certain cases with senior dogs or dogs with hip dysplasia or arthritis, additional stretching and or massages may help to keep your dog comfortable and mobile. If you are unsure how to properly stretch or massage your dog, consider contacting a professional for guidance. 
  
  
• Ramps or stairs
  Teaching your dog to use ramps and stairs early in life is beneficial in multiple ways. It teaches them these skills that they will need when they get older. It also helps reduce wear and stress on joints. This can help your dog stay active longer.

Longevity

All of the above play a roll in longevity for your dog. To promote longevity, it is all about balance and consistency 

• Balanced supportive meals
• Balanced supplements
• Exercise
• Rest
• Mental stimulation
• Stress management 
  

Reminder:
It’s all about balance and consistency. Providing your dog with a balanced diet, balanced supplements, regular low-impact exercise and proper hydration can help your dog live their life to the fullest. This means more play time, more hikes, more beach trips and most importantly-more memories together. 

Final Thoughts

With the right care, senior dogs can stay active, happy, and comfortable for years.

👉 Support their aging journey with Mush Buddies Joint & Mobility Chews.