If You Aren’t Doing These 3 Things With Your Senior Dog, You’ll Hate Yourself Later

If You Aren’t Doing These 3 Things With Your Senior Dog, You’ll Hate Yourself Later

September 27, 2022

As our beloved best friends age, their coat colors aren’t the only things that can change. Senior dogs may start to struggle with their mobility or experience cognitive decline. But being aware of a few simple solutions to help ease the transition into their golden years can help keep your canine as content and comfortable as possible.  

Below, we’ve listed three things you can immediately implement to help address some of the changing health and wellness needs of your furry family members.

1. Maximize Mental Stimulation

Older Poodle

It’s true what they say. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Enticing your dog to engage in activities that involve problem-solving is a great way to help them combat cognitive decline. 

Sniffing new smells and engaging in new experiences are also forms of mental stimulation. Taking a new way home on your daily walk, providing puzzle games, and scheduling play dates are all easy ways to help keep your senior dog’s mental acuity at its best. 

Studies show that when canines consistently challenge their minds, they are less likely to develop dementia later in life. Plus, regular play sessions increase their blood circulation, which allows more oxygen and glucose to reach their brain.

 2. Keep Your Canine Active

Snufflemat

Has your canine become a couch potato? Sleeping too much and exercising too little can be a disaster for your senior dog’s health. Not only are they more likely to gain weight the less they move, but decreased activity can lead to stiff, painful joints.

If your dog has been spending more time snoozing than sniffing, a gentle way to increase their activity is to take shorter, more frequent walks. Walks are a wonderful way to keep your dog moving while stimulating their senses.

Or, you can always add a new, exciting toy, such as a Snuffle Mat. They are a great way to not only get your sweet senior moving again, but to support brain function and mental agility. Not only does a snuffle mat provide as much mental stimulation as a walk around the block, but they’re an awesome way to encourage your senior dog to engage in “gentle on the joints” play. 

Even blind or sight-impaired pooches can benefit from the snuffle mat, as they predominantly promote using and developing their sense of smell. Plus, they don’t require much space and can provide stimulation on days when the weather simply won’t cooperate for a comfortable walk.

3: Using CBD To Reduce Joint Pain And Inflammation

Dog laying

Our senior dogs need to keep moving for their mental health and mood, as much as they need it to help maintain a healthy weight and keep their joints flexible.

But seniors can fall into a vicious cycle due to arthritis. They experience increased pain, which causes them to slow down. This leads to increased stiffness and weakness, which leads to weight gain. And then, the weight gain can cause the pain to get even worse. 

That’s why pet parents all over the country are adding a trusted, high-quality CBD to their canine’s wellness regimen. Cannanine CBD has been shown to help ease some of the aches and pains of aging, help dogs recover faster from surgery or illness, and help ease the anxiety that often accompanies aging. CBD can make it easier for your furry best friend to traverse the stairs, take walks, and participate in play.

Dog getting oil

We know you’re extremely particular about what you provide for your pooch, so you’ll be happy to know that Cannanine CBD contains 0% THC, and has been tested and found to be free of heavy metals, harmful bacteria, yeast, mold, and other toxins.

Click here to learn more about how Cannanine CBD can help your dog thrive, or start shopping now!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.