Keeping Your Older Dog Safe

Author: Dave Eckholm

Can you imagine letting a toddler run along the edge of a mountain? Would you leave your elderly grandparent who suffers from dementia alone on a bench in the hot sun? Would you let your mom whose eyesight is failing, walk around the edge of your pool? Of course not!

However, many loving pet owners make the same mistakes with their elderly dogs. As a dog ages, his eyesight fails along with his mind and energy. Things that were easy for him to navigate, such as the edge of a hill or a walk through the woods, are now extremely difficult. He can't always see the edge of a pool or cliff and his joints won't allow him to recover from a misstep as easily as when he was a young pup. Older dogs, like elderly people, tend to be more susceptible to heat and need to be kept comfortable during extremely hot days.

Here are a few reminders of what can be dangerous to your older pet and some ideas on how to keep them safe.

Daily Walk Safety

Retractable leashes are a great way to let your dog run a bit without getting away from you. Many older dogs get a bit of ""puppy"" in them and they will take-off running only to get into trouble because they can no longer see very well or hear commands. Some older dogs also develop dementia and cannot sense danger. Senior dogs need to be kept from wandering too far. A retractable lease will keep you in control but allow your dog the ability to roam.

Flashing safety collars or bright safety vests are also a great way to keep your dog visible to you and others. The collars can be seen up to one mile away and the vests are reflective. If your dog does wander off during his nighttime business, he will be less likely to be hit by a car and easier to locate.

Water Safety

Accidental drowning is a major problem for older dogs. Many older dogs develop cataracts and they are no longer able to determine the edge of the pool. Once in the pool, they often do not have the energy to swim long enough to be noticed, nor have the strength and agility to jump out. There are several options to keep your dog safe near water. There are pool alarms designed to float on the surface of the pool and react to motion in the water. Another alarm attaches to your dog's collar and sounds if they fall in. There are also life vests for dogs, which are great for boating or when your dog is around a lake or river.

Extreme Temperatures

No dog is comfortable in extremely hot or cold weather and again, just as elderly adults are more vulnerable to the excessive temperatures, it can also be deadly for your dog. Keep him in air conditioning as much as possible on extremely warm days. Make certain that your dog has access to plenty of water. Avoid taking your dog in the car with you if you cannot bring him inside at your destination. If your dog is longhaired or tends to be easily overheated, consider a cooling bed or collar.

In the extreme cold, make the outdoor visits as brief as possible. Remember, dogs can get frostbite on their paws and noses. Outdoor dogs need to be brought in from the cold when the temperatures are significantly below zero.

Car Rides

Your dog might still love to ride with you in the car but now his safety is more important than ever. Getting your beloved pooch into the car can be a challenge. Arthritis can mean his jumping-into-the-backseat days are over! Ramps are available to help your dog into his co-pilot chair. There is also a lifting aid that will wrap comfortably around his middle to give you a way to assist him into the car. Remember, his balance is not as good as when he was younger so consider a seat belt harness to keep him from falling off the seat.

Household Dangers

It is as important as ever to keep your dog away from any plants, foods, or poisons that are toxic to canines. As they age, their systems won't be able to tolerate the damage from the poison or the treatment.

ASPCA is warning dog owners the newly discovered danger posed by is grapes and raisins. These fruits have been used as a training treat for dogs, but have been recently found to cause renal failure if eaten in large doses. If your older pet was trained using grapes and raisins or you have used these fruits as treats for your dog, he probably has developed a taste for them. You need to store these fruits where your dog cannot get into them. Of the 10 dogs that were reported poisoned by overeating grapes/raisins, only 5 survived. And that was with early, aggressive treatment. An older dog would not have much of a chance if he is accidentally poisoned in this manner. Please visit the ASCPA Animal Poison Control Center Website, www.napcc.aspca.org for addition information.

Copyright 2006 Dave Eckholm/OldDogPaws.com

About the author: Dave Eckholm is the owner and creator of http://www.olddogpaws.com, a site dedicated to the care and comfort of our old friends. As our dog Tikki began to lose his eyesight and became grey around his muzzle, we were concerned for his quality of life so we searched for new ideas, resources and products to enhance his life. Old Dog Paws shares this information with all dog lovers so your friend can enjoy wonderful senior years too!