Show YOUR Old Dog Some Love--Best Valentine's Day Gifts for a Senior Dog!

Your senior dog has melted your heart for years. An ever faithful friend deserves a reward for all those years of unconditional love. But what would be the perfect gift to show your older dog just how much you love them? If Valentine's Day is designated to show your sweetheart the love you have in your heart, why not spoil your senior dog with a heart shaped box of dog treats?


Our family loves to pamper our pets. Any special day, like Valentine's Day is a day to show our senior dog Tikki (and his cat siblings) how much we love them with special pet gifts. Every year as Tikki aged, we bought our old dog special presents like funky red dog booties to protect his paws or a box of heart-shaped dog cookies and chews for Valentine's Day. An elevated dog dish was the perfect way to serve his festive treats.



As he approached 15 years, Tikki didn't enjoy the rawhide chews in the heart shaped box as much as he had in previous years as they became too tough to chew. We opted for homemade heart shaped dog cookies and less chewy dog treats for his Valentine gift. But he still loved  the pink and red plush dog toys and and warm doggie sweaters well into senior life.


A dog ramp can be a gift that really shows your love. As Tikki started struggling with the back steps, we installed a semi-permanent dog ramp at our back door. This particular dog ramp model was designed with extra traction so there would be less trouble getting up and down  in snowy or icy February weather. We did consider a portable one too...Our old dog absolutely loved his car rides. After all, spending time with your sweetheart (especially your senior dog sweetheart) is what Valentine's Day is all about!

5 PERFECT Valentines Gifts to show your Senior Dog LOVE:

1. Therapeutic Dog Bed (Coziest Valentine's gift for the older canine!)
2. Dog Booties (Protect old dog paws from the February ice and salt.)
3. Portable Dog Ramp (Make it easy to take your canine sweetheart along for the ride.)
4. Elevated Dog Dish (Perfect way to serve up Valentine's treats for senior dogs.)
5. Holiday Dog Sweater (A fun, festive way to show how much you love your older dog.)

Copyright 2012 OldDogPaws.com
 

BEST Gifts for your Old Dog at Christmas!

Does your senior dog, an old friend who is a part of your family for years, have a special gift under the Christmas tree? Is there a holiday dog stocking by the fireplace filled to the brim with a chew toy and chicken-flavored dog treats for your lovable older pet? Well, by gosh, there should be!

Our family embraced the holidays as a time to spoil and pamper our pet. Tikki (and his cat siblings) had their own Christmas socks and special holiday gifts under the tree. Every year as Tikki aged, we bought our old dog a new dog bed as a holiday gift. The old one was usually worn down from extended use. He was properly spoiled the first year we purchased the plush orthopedic bolster bed. But as he aged, he really seemed more comfortable with the lower edge and smooth fabric of a large therapeutic dog mattress.


As he approached 15 years, Tikki didn't enjoy the rawhide chew bone as much as he had in previous years as they became too tough to chew. We opted for homemade dog cookies and less chewy dog treats to stuff his holiday stocking. But he still loved plush dog toys and chasing bright colored balls well into senior life.


The year of the dog ramp was especially memorable. Tikki was struggling with the back steps so we installed one at our back door. The dog ramp we purchased was designed with extra traction so there would be less trouble getting up and down the ramp in snowy or icy weather. We did consider a portable one too...Our old dog absolutely loved car rides and often joined the family as we toured the holiday lights throughout the neighborhood.

5 PERFECT Holiday Gifts for Senior Dogs:

1. Therapeutic Dog Bed (Coziest Christmas gift for the older canine!)
2. Dog Booties (Protect old dog paws from ice and salt.)
3. Portable Dog Ramp (Bring your old dog all through the season.)
4. Thundercoat for Dogs (Calming during stressful holiday parties and activities.)
5. Holiday Dog Sweater (Festive way to include Fido in the family holiday picture.)

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com

Protective Products for Old Dog Paws

Do you take care of your old dog’s paws? Everyone knows exercise is good for an old dog’s health so we include them in our walks which we take in all types of weather. In the summer, we protect our own feet with comfortable shoes and in the winter an extra pair of socks inside our boots. But once we’re ready most people just attach a leash and head outside without any consideration of how a walk will affect our dog’s feet. It is almost like we are asking our dogs to endure the elements barefooted!

There are a variety of innovative products available that protect your dog’s paw from the elements. The trick is training your older dog to wear them. There are also several products that help when your old dog’s paws are already sore.

Dog Boots – There are several different types of dog boots.
• Orthopedic – Used to protect wounds caused by dragging paws
• Disposable – Keep your dog's paws safe and dry in wet and muddy conditions – great for the visits to the dog park.
• All purpose boots – Use them year-round on rocky trails or fields covered with winter snow or summer thistles.
• Extreme Winter Boots – Added warmth, provides traction and protect your dog's paws from ice, rocks and rough terrain.

Protective Products for Paws

Knit Socks - Protects and warm your pet's paws used indoors or out.

Paw Heals - Creates a germ and water barrier, penetrating rapidly and deeply. Does not wash off when dogs are in water. Helps your dogs paw pads and webbing heal.

Paw Protectors - Products are available to aid in the care and repair of dry, calloused foot pads. The product softens calloused areas and increases the pliability of the pad, while maintaining the resiliency consistent with normal healthy tissue.

Paw Spray – A pet friendly spray that removes dirt and more from your dog's paws. There are some that contain aloe so will help soothe and condition irritated paws.

Paw Wipes - Cleans and deodorizes dog paws with a fresh scent. Use to help stop the spread of dirt and odors.

Pet safe winter ice melter - Keep your steps, sidewalks and driveway both pet and environmentally friendly.

Leg wraps – Not sure if these are more of a fashion statement but they could protect your dog from formation of Ice-balls or collecting thorns in the fur.

Canine footbath – A device that you place your dogs paw into and it cleans it. As you pull the paw out it says it works like a squeegee.

Dog paw cleaner brush - There are extra soft, super absorbent microfibers dusters that are designed to be gentle on tender paws.

Paw De-icier – A special solution that repels water, ice, and snow. This will help to prevent water from freezing between pads, and snow from clumping on fur.

Musher's Secret - An invisible “boot” for dogs, made of dense, barrier wax that forms a breathable bond with your dog's paws. Developed in Canada for use with sledding dogs; its said to provide great protection even in the most extreme conditions. The semi-permeable shield is absorbed into the paws, allowing perspiration to escape through the toes. Aids in protecting your dogs paws from salt and chemicals, ice build-up, snowballing, sand, sand-burn, hot pavement, and rough terrain.

Brief warning, we had a bit of a struggle to train our old dog to get his foot gear on. Maybe the old guy was embarrassed. He was definitely stubborn and comfortable in his ways. But the “bootie-battle” was worth it in the long run. Best of luck!


Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws