Your senior dog has needs that are much different from their younger years. Nevertheless, you may need to be aware of the common things that affect them, such as joint and mobility issues, lower energy levels, and changing immune systems. Thus, it may be a good idea to consider including dog senior care supplements that can provide them with the additional support they need.
Before you do, there are some things that you need to know. It is important to find easy, natural ways to support your dog’s mobility, vitality, and overall wellness. However, consulting with your veterinarian before moving forward with your options is important. The sooner you know about what supplements you can get for your senior dog in their golden years, the more peace of mind you will have.
Knowing and Understanding Your Senior Dog’s Needs
The one thing to know about your dog is that they can age differently compared to others. Depending on a dog’s breed and size, seniorhood can appear anywhere from 7 to 10 years old. Larger breed dogs usually age faster, while smaller ones can stay spry for a longer period of time. Nonetheless, dogs do grow older and can also experience physical and behavioral changes.
You may notice some things, albeit subtly. These include the following:
- Stiffness or slow movement even after resting
- Changes in weight, whether it’s a gain or a loss
- Decreased interest in play or lower energy levels
- A dull coat or thinning fur
- Changes in digestion or appetite
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Resting more often than in years past
While they may seem like signs of illness at first glance, they are actually just signs of the natural aging process. However, small lifestyle adjustments can ensure supportive nutrition will go hand in hand so that your dog’s quality of life and overall comfort both improve as they age. Thus, the inclusion of dog senior care supplements in their regular routine will be a great way to fill any nutritional gaps and provide additional support for your dog and their changing needs as they age.
Why Joint and Mobility Support Is Important For Dogs
Reduced joint flexibility is seen as one of the more noticeable effects of aging in dogs. They spent their younger years exploring, running, and jumping around. While it’s all well and good, it can also lead to wear and tear in the joints and spine. Your dog could use a good amount of support in these areas (especially if they are active breeds).
That’s why the Disc and Spine supplements from Under the Weather are often a good choice for joint-pain relief. Also, the Collagen Chews are a great option for joint support and your dog’s muscles since they play a role in their overall mobility. That’s because collagen is a key protein that maintains connective tissue and healthy cartilage. The natural collagen in your dog’s body tends to decrease in production as they age, making it more important than ever to ensure their joint health and mobility are all supplemented accordingly.
Keep in mind that our products do not claim that they treat or cure joint or mobility issues. However, they can be key in making sure that your dog can still have that bit of spryness to them as they age. Not to mention, senior dog supplements that support your dog’s joints and mobility can be part of a daily wellness routine that is easy to manage.
Dog Senior Care Supplements That Are Great For Natural Well-Being
No single formula for aging gracefully exists. Yet, there are plenty of key nutrients and natural compounds that can all work together to ensure your senior dog’s health is getting consistent support. Here’s what to look for when choosing dog senior care supplements:
Collagen For Strength and Flexibility
As mentioned earlier, collagen is one of the best supplement options, and for good reason. It’s due to the fact that it's known for improving the integrity of your dog’s tendons, hips, and joints. In addition, it can be great for improving your dog’s skin. Furthermore, you’ll notice that your dog still maintains their flexibility and overall mobility, even if they are getting a bit older. Using collagen supplementation can help ease stiffness while also making sure your dog’s natural structure is maintained.
Omega Fatty Acids For Skin and Coat Health
Your dog’s skin and coat can get brittle or dry as they get older. That’s why it is important to make sure it’s well-nourished with the help of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Such healthy fats can be great for reducing dryness, promoting a coat that is soft and shiny, and improving both the health of your dog’s heart and brain, such as slowing down cognitive decline. An alternative to this is hyaluronic acid, which is known for improving skin health.
Antioxidants For Cellular Protection
These include active ingredients vitamins C and E, which are both excellent antioxidants. They work together to fight off free radicals that can cause damage to cells. Your aging dog can benefit from these antioxidants, with the major one being a healthy immune function and potentially increased longevity.
Probiotics For Digestive Balance
One thing that aging can also affect is digestion. If there is a lack of support for it, this can lead to increased sensitivities and irregularities. With this in mind, including probiotics as part of a regular supplemental regimen can be a game-changer, especially since senior pets can benefit from a healthier gut environment and easier nutrient absorption. There are plenty of Under the Weather options that feature probiotics, including our line of bland diet dog foods.
Colostrum For Immune Support
Commonly, colostrum is found in early milk after a puppy is born. It is packed with antibodies and nutrients that are great for boosting a dog’s immune functions. It can also be an excellent senior supplement to support your dog's healthy aging.
All of these senior dog care supplements are excellent for ensuring your dog can age gracefully without issue. Still, consult with your veterinarian beforehand to ensure that what may seem like a good idea doesn’t end up backfiring on you due to underlying medical conditions.
How To Introduce Supplements Into Your Dog’s Routine
While introducing supplements into your senior pet’s daily routine is the next step to take after vet approval, you’ll want to start off slowly while carefully observing how your dog responds. With that in mind, here’s a step-by-step approach on how to include those supplements:
- Consult Your Veterinarian: As mentioned, vet consultation should be your first step before introducing something new to your dog’s routine, even if it is supplements. This way, they’ll guide you in choosing the safer, appropriate options.
- Start with One: Introduce supplements gradually, one at a time instead of many all at once. This will help your dog’s system adjust and easily identify what will work best for their needs. Prioritize one area of canine health if needed. For example, if your senior pet is a breed where vision issues are common, consider supplements that are known for providing good vision support. Or, if they are dealing with joint pain, consider supplements containing ingredients like chondroitin sulfates, which can help improve joint movement and mobility.
- Stay Consistent: Consistency matters when it comes to daily use of senior dog supplements. Regular use can help build up and maintain those essential nutrients for your dog over time. Joint supplements, when used regularly, can improve joint performance, and Omega-3 fatty acids offer many benefits, including cognitive support.
- Pair it with a Balanced Senior Diet: Senior dog supplements should be paired with a well-balanced diet. It should not be a replacement for meals. Vet-formulated meals balanced with supplements can be an excellent way to ensure your dog receives steady nutritional benefits and more.
- Observe and Adjust Accordingly: Monitor your dog’s appetite, energy, and mobility over time. You can catch any small changes that can indicate your dog’s response to the added supplemental support. If you run into any issues, you should consult with your vet as soon as possible. Veterinary care is essential if you are noticing any adverse issues that may arise with supplements, such as medication interactions or underlying medical conditions.
In addition to supplementation, a happy and healthy senior dog can benefit from regular lifestyle habits that are more positive for their quality of life. These include regular physical exercise and mental stimulation. Of course, if you are continuing regular vet visits, maintain that schedule accordingly, since checkups can be a good way to monitor for any early signs of age-related health conditions. Your senior dog can get regular checkups done every six months to ensure they are in good health while also catching any potential issues early, whether age-related or linked to their breed.
Final Thoughts
Your dog’s health matters a lot, especially as they age. Supplementation can undoubtedly help them age a bit more gracefully. Is it possible for your dog to move around the same way they did in their younger years when they reach senior age? It’s possible, but not always a guarantee. Still, taking the best care of your dog does have its benefits, and they will certainly show as they age.
At Under the Weather, we are committed to offering high-quality products for your dog, whether they are older or just growing up. Either way, we might have precisely what you’re looking for when it comes to their overall health. Come see what we have in stock today!
