Susan Mikels takes extra care to ensure her 12-year-old Siberian Huskey is in prime dog health.

“He’s a big dog, and he’s also my best friend,” Mikels told the Pocono Record of her dog who suffers from severe joint problems and painful arthritis.

“Every once in awhile he’ll have a little burst of energy lasting only for a minute or so, reminding me of his younger puppy days,” she told the news provider.

The Pocono Record reported that Mikels’ pooch has other dog health issues too, including vision problems and trouble walking.

“I see him struggling to get out of his bed, but then again, so do I,” she told the news source.

According to the news provider there are numerous things pet owners can do to keep their pets in optimum dog or cat health, such as maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regime and ensuring elderly pets sustain their body weight.

“Studies show that being overweight puts more stress on the heart and increases organ inflammation,” Dr. Jeremy Wentz of Barton Heights Veterinary Hospital told the news source.

Dr. Martha Franklin of Mountain View Animal Hospital in Scotrun told the news provider that owners ought to feed their older pets healthy pet food and try to limit the amount of table scraps.

“Each species has specific dietary needs that are provided within pet food,” she told the news source.

Franklin told the Poconoo Record that pet health insurance may also be a good idea and help with finances when a pet eventually needs medical attention.

“When shopping for (pet) insurance, ask a lot of questions,” Franklin told the news provider. “Insurance can also help with the expense of having important diagnostics done that might be skipped if paid out of pocket.

Wentz told the news provider that he agrees that pet care insurance is a good idea.

“Vet care is more expensive now because we are catching up to human medicine with diagnostic tools that we use,” he told the news source.

Franklin told the news provider aside from a healthy diet and getting insurance for pets, it is also important to exercise your pet.

“Swimming and frequent walks are ideal to maintain weight and healthy muscle tone,” Franklin told Poconorecord.com.

The post Owners Have Pet Health Options For Older Pets first appeared on Puppy Blog.

As dogs get older and start slowing down, they still need to exercise to keep their blood pumping and heart racing! You should also consult with the vet for tips on how to care and help your dog with exercise.

Your best friend can still do the same thing they’ve always done as to when they were puppies, the only exception is they’ll be doing it at a slower pace. When doing excersise with your dog make sure you keep your dog hydrated! Just like you running around in the hot sun will leave you pet a very thirsty animal.

Which is why you should keep an eye on the weather reports. When taking your dog out for a walk, make sure its not too hot or too cold for your dog. The weather could hinder them just a bit. If its cold for your dog and you still would like to take your dog out for a walk, consider a doggy sweater. A 10 -15 minute walk with your dog twice a day. If there is a favorite spot your dog liked to stroll or spend time at, then I would take your dog there. Sometimes taking them to places they like playing will motivate them a bit more.

If your dog likes to play fetch, take your pals favorite toy, if not a soft toy would work just as good. A hard toy would more than likely hurt their teeth or jaw. Don’t forget your dogs favorite treat as a reward! Playing tug is also a good exercise as well as swimming! Swimming helps with dogs that have hip problems! If you can’t make it outside for their daily walks, a treadmill works just as good.

If your dog likes to run, then go for it! However, running on hard surfaces like concrete isn’t something that is helpful or beneficial to your dog. If you don’t have any other place other than concrete, then walking slowly with your dog is highly suggested and walking at your dogs pace!

Some of these exercises can be done indoors, just incase the weather is a bit too unbearable for your dog.

While you and your dog do your daily excersises, you should keep a closer eye on your dog. Try to go with your dogs speed, not yours.

If you feel your dog is going way too slow, then taking him to the vet is something you should consider! Your dog may be having other issues that you’re not aware about! After all, you would like to keep your furry pal longer and we all know, dogs are man’s best friend!

Colin McDonald writes on behalf of Lintbells – dog health and oneagency.co a seo agency

The post Exercise For Older Dogs first appeared on Puppy Blog.