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

Removing Ticks Early is Essential for Old Dog Care

Were you and your old dog able to get in one last walk through the woods before the snow started to fly? Depending on where you live in the United States, wood tick and deer tick season can be over as the little critters can be snow covered by now or the season can be in full force. I have heard that after a certain time in the spring or fall, one does not have to worry about ticks as it is not “tick season”. Funny thing is, our senior dog would find ticks (or the ticks would find him) at all times of the year unless there was snow on the ground. In his later years, he had to be treated for Lyme’s Disease due to tick exposure.


We learned from our experience that tick prevention is best for senior dog care but proper tick removal may have reduced the risk of infection if it had been found early. So what is the best way to remove a tick whenever you find one on your old dog?

• Use fine-tipped tweezers and protect bare hands with a tissue or gloves to avoid contact with tick fluids.

• Get a firm hold on the tick close to the skin. Try not to twist or jerk the tick out, as this may cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin which can lead to an infection.

•   Gently pull the tick straight up until all parts of the tick are removed.

After removing the tick, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Clean the tick bite site with an antiseptic such as iodine scrub, rubbing alcohol or other wound cleaner.

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com

Water Safety for Older Dogs--Pool Dog Ramps, Boat Dog Ramps & Dog Life Preservers!

It is a fact that the owner of a senior dog must face, your dog's eyesight is not what it used to be. The dog that has chased kids and squirrels around the pool deck for years, could fall right in. And if you are not home, he might not be able to get himself out.

Then there is the dog that has for years spend the summer afternoon on the deck of the boat. If he fell into the lake, would you be able to rescue him before his older muscles and joints gave out? 120 pounds of wet, frightened dog would be hard to pull in out of the water. And senior dogs cannot dog paddle as well or as long as they could as pups.

I have discovered a few great safety devices that are extremely cool and a must have for anyone with a senior dog that likes to be on-board with the family or strolls around the pool deck.

Dog Life Preserver or Life Jackets are essential for the senior dog that still loves to swim and ride in the family boat!

A Skamper Ramp  attaches to the deck of the pool, walled pond, most docks and some boats. It provides a way for the swimming dog to pull himself out of the water and skamper to dry ground. And it works for dogs up to 200lbs so it is perfect for Yorkies or Labradors!

Another device has been created by PAWS ABOARD Doggy Boat Ladder . It is a portable, durable and light weight dog ladder that will attach to almost any boat ladder to easily get a stranded older dog out of the water.

Three amazing tools that give peace of mind to an old dog owner when his lovable senior dog is near water!

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com

Waterproof, Durable and Replaceable Dog Bed Covers for Orthopedic Dog Bed--Perfect for the SENIOR Dog!

If there is one thing made our older dog comfortable during his senior years it was his dog bed. We had not invested in a dog bed when Tikki was a pup, but as he aged we saw the amount of time he spent lying down and the difficulty he was having getting up off the floor. Eventually our old dog had not one but two, well used and loved, dog beds in the house. But it took some work to find the right dog bed for our senior dog.

Local stores had few good senior dog bed options. We ended up purchasing several beds using the trial and error method.. Some were too fluffy for Tikki to lift his paws over them as his eyesight was poor. He often tripped when the profile of the bed was too high or slippery. Once the bed was used, it could not be returned so it was a frustrating expensive, process to find a good orthopedic dog bed.

Recently, I found a wonderful orthopedic dog bed online that would have been perfect for our home and senior dog. It has everything an aging dog needs for back and bone support. It is orthopedic foam dog bed with a removable and replaceable cover. There are also optional waterproof covers that can be purchased to further protect the mattress from accidents. Optional extra covers are an important feature because an older dog will make continual use of his bed. When we needed to wash the cover, Tikki would resort to using the uncovered bed which would cause the actual mattress pad to deteriorate much more quickly. Had the option of replacement and waterproofing covers been available to us, this would have made Tikki’s favorite bed last throughout his final years.

Features to a PERFECT Bed for the Older Dog

1. Orthopedic Support
2. Washable Cover
3. Replaceable Cover
4. Availability of Waterproof Lining Covers
5. Cover fabric that is durable and not slippery

Using this short list will help guide you to find the perfect bed for your older dog.  Having a good place to rest is essential to making your dog’s senior years happy!

Need more help to find the perfect dog bed for your Senior Dog? 
CLICK HERE and check out the DOG BED page at OldDogPaws.com.

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com

It's No Trick--Here's a Halloween Treat for YOUR Old Dog!

Senior dogs and Halloween often don't mix well. Most old dogs are far beyond being able to wear a costume...no matter how cute it is. Just like people, sometimes our older pets, just outgrow Halloween festivities. The commotion of a holiday full of chocolate that can be deadly to a canine and a constant parade of strangers ringing the doorbell and shouting "trick or treat", can become to much for the best behaved senior dog. Often senior dogs can wander off due to doors or gates being left open.

Years ago our own dog disappeared on the Fourth of July, another commotion filled holiday. Fortunately, we had a name tag and dog license on his collar. A friendly person saw him wandering almost a mile from our home and called us to pick him up. Keeping an up-to-date, easy to read ID tag on your senior dog is a perfect treat for this holiday!

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com

Massaging Your Old Dog's Paws (And Back, Legs & Belly Too!)

Who doesn’t love a good back rub? Well as good as a massage feels to a person’s tired and aching muscles, it can do wonders for your senior dog!

Benefits include:

• Stimulates Central Nervous System and Blood Flow
• Keeps Heart and Lungs Functioning Well
• Calming Affect
• Relives Boredom
• Stimulates Skin and Follicles to Reduce Excess Fur
• Aids Digestion
• Keeps Fluids Flowing Between Joints Easing Arthritic Pain

Dog massage therapy is something you can have done professionally but most older dogs would prefer the gentle touch of their owner. Learning to do a good, stimulating rub down of your elderly canine is a great way to show your love after the years of unconditional adoration he has shown to you.

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com

The ABC's of Senior Dog Care--Grooming

The G in old dog care definitely is for Grooming. As your dog enters his senior years, a trip to the groomer's can a bit troublesome. As arthritis makes it difficult to get down the stairs and up into the car for the road trip, many might put off this essential task. 

But grooming is essential. An older dogs skin is more sensitive and tends to be dry. Dogs toenails continue to grow and must be kept trimmed. Neglecting nail care can lead to a dog's nails catching on the carpeting or other obstacles causing injury. Long haired dogs will need the hair inside the ear canal trimmed to avoid ear mites and infections. So getting to the groomer or grooming at home is essential.

Tips for Keeping Older Dog's Groomed

1. Invest in a portable dog ramp or stairs so a trip to the groomer is easy on both you and your senior dog.

2. Find a groomer that specializes in older dog grooming. Some even offer groom-at-your-home service.

3. Learn how to groom your pet at home. By bathing, trimming and clipping at home, it can keep your pet calm and looking spiffy into his golden years.

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com