Exercising Elderly Dog?

[ShrekDawg]

Oh and sorry, that wasn't personal or directed at anyone, if you can afford to buy the food, then do so, but just trying to share some other possibly cheaper options.

 

[PirateGirl]

@KDOGG331
To help me remember to feed the supplements, I put them right inside the dog food bag so when I go to scoop the food in the morning, the bottle is right there. My dog certainly won't let me forget to feed her so that's a non-issue.

 

[ShrekDawg]

@KDOGG331
To help me remember to feed the supplements, I put them right inside the dog food bag so when I go to scoop the food in the morning, the bottle is right there. My dog certainly won't let me forget to feed her so that's a non-issue.

That's a good idea!! Ours is free fed though because he doesn't eat that much so idk if that would work for me. But I might write a note on the fridge or alarm on the phone haha

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The Nutra nuggets is available at many feed stores for a couple more dollars than Costco. It does also contain glucosamine supplement. Almost hard to find feed without it these days.

Thing is once your dog has hip displasia and you see bone on bone yes anti inflammatory's are helpful but it does not fix the problem. To me the way it is helpful is by decreasing the pain which allows for a normal amount of movement. @KDOGG331 it get's a LOT easier to remember when you see you friend in pain everyday and it's within your power to do something (that you already have in front of you). We have finally set it into our routine. And set into something YOU do everyday. For me it would be coffee or going to the bathroom in the middle of the night for the empty stomach one. Or maybe at the same time as taking my own meds. Whatever works for you!

My dogs have feed available free choice. They get a regular scheduled treat (usually chicken jerky not extruded) every single day. They all have different feeding habits and make no mistake there IS a pecking order. God help me if I ever need to do something different! I feel for people with special issues.

Many good things mentioned. We also added a ramp (to our bed) and have many low dog beds available. The dog chooses to sleep on the hard floor sometimes. It may seem obvious.. but the vet said jumping is bad, steps are better, a ramp is best. We have lots of steps just to get in or out of the house (working on a ramp there). Mostly don't take her in the truck or suburban anymore, even though dogs IS the reason I bought the suburban. Better just get a ramp for that! Teaching them to use a ramp in fun.

Great tip about the other playful dogs jumping. Though Daisy May mostly limits herself, things can get off the hook sometimes.
My house floors are the number one danger... WAY to slippery. I've seen many a dog slide, wipe out, or sprawl. With 3 dogs we don't do carpet. I got some stuff that goes under carpet though, that I might try making runners or SOME thing.

 

[X_and_Z]

My house floors are the number one danger... WAY to slippery. I've seen many a dog slide, wipe out, or sprawl. With 3 dogs we don't do carpet. I got some stuff that goes under carpet though, that I might try making runners or SOME thing.

There are some options for slippery floors:

• Make sure that feet are groomed - nails short, hair on the bottoms of the feet trimmed
• Look into anti-skid sprays/waxes/stickers for paws - bio-groom has a spray and several companies sell paw waxes and anti-skid stickers/pads
• Look at runners for the areas the dogs are most likely to slip. There are some clear vinyl ones that aren't too horrible looking and if you want something more decorative but still dog friendly, indoor/outdoor rug material can be hosed off

 

[PirateGirl]

Oh yes, the slippery floor! I was debating between two different size area rugs for the living room and went with the larger because of my old dog and the slipping. Also she won't do steps without my husband or I behind her. She has fallen more than once and has learned not to even try without us to catch her. Things like raising up food and water bowls off the ground or giving a rug/bath mat to stand on while eating are good too because that bending over to eat is the limit of their range of motion and they can lose balance. We also have water bowls upstairs and downstairs in our house, so she never has to do stairs just to get water. We also have a bowl outside.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Things like raising up food and water bowls off the ground or giving a rug/bath mat to stand on while eating are good too because that bending over to eat is the limit of their range of motion and they can lose balance.

Another great tip(s).

We do this also. It's a process...

And now we can pretend we are adding the ramps for the dogs NOT because we are getting old!