There is nothing more rewarding and challenging then caring for an older dog. Most veterinarian's consider your dog to be senior when they reach the age of 7 for small and medium dogs and as early as 5 for large dogs. Since I've discovered a holistic approach to taking care of my older dog the rewards have greatly out numbered the challenges.
Morgan, who is hanging out just below, is my 15 year old chocolate Cocker Spaniel. For many years I was under the impression that some of Morgan's health issues were inevitable because she was getting older. Over the years the biggest assumption I made was that Morgan's gradual decrease in activity level was normal and generally not treatable. Now I know differently! Old age is not a sentence to ill health. (Click here to see Morgan's before and after pictures) I now know the best way for me to help my dog age gracefully in body, mind and spirit is to become more knowledgeable about her aging process. There are many things we can do naturally to help our older dogs live out their remaining years both healthier and happier. Here are Morgan's top suggestions.

1) Reevaluate your dog's diet. Nothing has been more beneficial to Morgan's overall health than the improvement of her diet. Proper nutrition is critical, especially in an older dog because as they age they lose the ability to handle poor quality food. Provide your dog with the highest quality food your budget will allow. A well-researched homemade diet full of fresh organic ingredients is preferable.

2) There are many natural supplements available to help your dog cope with a variety of issues as they age. Morgan was diagnosed with arthritis, a common issue many older dogs will face. If your dog is diagnosed with arthritis, I highly encourage you to look into natural remedies as the typical conventional treatment involves steroids and anti-inflammatory medications known as NSAIDs. These drugs can help to control pain and reduce inflammation, but we must ask ourselves at what cost? Steroids and NSAIDs can have harmful side effects and they do nothing to help heal the damaged cartilage. In fact, use of these drugs long term can actually deteriorate the joints further. It is vitally important to consider natural and non-invasive options for treatment due to the greater likelihood that an older dog will experience harmful side effects when taking conventional drugs. Our older dogs simply cannot metabolize a drug as they did in younger years because as they age their kidneys and liver do not function as efficiently. I chose to give Morgan a liquid form of a product that contains MSM, glucosamine and chrondroitin. These are natural supplements that can help to control pain and inflammation. These natural remedies actually help to repair damaged cartilage and they have no known side effects. It is important to note that these supplements are not a quick fix and that you do have to give them time to work. Some experts believe it can take as much as 3 months to see an improvement in your dog. Others give a time frame of 6 to 8 weeks. I can report to you that Morgan had noticeable improvement in just 3 weeks. Prior to these supplements, her hind legs were weak and would shake frequently while standing. In less than a month, her hind legs were visibly stronger and the shakiness was all but gone. Now a year into it, I see no signs of shakiness and she has become much more mobile and active. I'm proud to report that her latest achievement was to jump up on the bed. She hasn't done that in over two years and it was an absolute joy to see!

3) Make sure your older dog continues to get regular exercise. Shorter yet more frequent walks may be in order so that you don't over do it. Providing regular exercise will not only help to keep your dogs muscles strong, it will go even further in helping them stay interested and active in their surroundings.

4) Brush your dog's teeth. This is the single most effective way to maintain healthy teethand gums. Periodontal disease is a very common health problem especially in older dogs. Neglecting your dog's teeth can potentially shorten their life. This can turn into a serious problem because the bacteria in your dog's mouth can enter the bloodstream and travel to other major organs causing further health issues. At a minimum, brush your dog's teeth every other day and be sure to only use toothpaste approved for use in dogs. Morgan likes the veterinary home dental care line by C.E.T.

5) Be aware your older dog may need more frequent bathroom breaks. Morgan seems to be more comfortable and rest easier when I take her out a little more often then I use to. The general rule is to take an older dog out every 3 to 4 hours.

6) Make sure your older dog has a quality bed to sleep on as joints may be stiff and painful. A thick but firm bed will help to cushion joints. Keeping your dog off the cold hard floor will make them more comfortable during periods of rest. Morgan sleeps best on memory foam.

7) Give your dog a bath more often. As they age, their skin glands produce less oil which can lead to dry flaky skin. Bathing your dog more often helps to encourage a healthy coat by removing dirt and debris that can cling to fur. A healthy coat is important because it's your dog's first line of defense and it will help keep them less susceptible to disease and other illnesses. Always use a shampoo made specifically for dogs and read the label. Avoid harsh shampoos that contain fragrances and other chemicals like artificial coloring. Morgan likes Buddy Wash and the full line of products by earthbath.