What are some things I can do to make my aging dog more comfortable?

I think that they need to make some accommodations at home. They can't see as well, so don't change the furniture a lot. Try to make the areas bright, so turn the lights on. Make sure that there aren't slippery surfaces. Large breed dogs have a hard time on hardwood floors. They need more mats down where they walk. Sometimes we might need to make accommodations such as building a ramp so that they don't have steps to go up and down. And as far as hearing, we need to know that they can't hear as well. Maybe they don't hear you calling them. Maybe they didn't know that there was someone at the door and they get startled by a stranger there. So we need to think ahead and think for them so that they don't get stressed out as much.

When it comes to basic comfort, I think things like giving them a nice, cozy bed go a long way. They even have Tempur-Pedic mattresses for dog beds. Minimize the amount of steps or climbing that they would have to do to get in and out of beds or furniture or the house. Just be mindful of that because that is going to be a little bit more difficult for them to do. Also, when it comes to loading for those that take their animals on trips often or like to take them for rides on a daily basis, consider getting a ramp so that they can load a lot easier. Those are the kinds of things that you will start to see them slow down in as they do age.

On top of adding the supplements and adjusting the steps in your home, make sure they have a nice, cushy bed to sleep on. I have clients tell me that they have this orthopedic bed right here, and then the pet sleeps right here on the hard floor. Just like us, some dogs prefer different things. But allowing them nice cushioned areas helps because, as they age, their muscle mass may decrease, and they have more joint issues. If your aging dog isn’t used to being an outside pet, be careful about how much time they spend outdoors in hot summers and cold winters because they may not regulate their body temperature as much, notably smaller breed dogs.