4 Simple Healthy Living Tips for Seniors With Dogs

Last Updated on August 15, 2020 by Ellen Christian

These healthy living tips for seniors are a great way to not only make sure that you stay in shape but to make sure that your pet stays in shape with you. I learned many of these tips from an interesting conversation with Dr. Kurt Venator, Purina Veterinarian. This post has been sponsored, but the story is my own.

Healthy Living Tips for Seniors With Dogs

Having a pet in your life is an excellent way to enhance your quality of living. Did you know that the American Heart Association references studies that show that people with pets have lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol levels? Whether you’ve chosen a cat or a dog, it’s clear that having a pet in your life is a good thing.

Having a pet as a senior can bring along its own challenges so I wanted to share a few healthy living tips for seniors with dogs to make it a bit easier.

Consider the Breed

Different dogs have different needs as far as exercise. A smaller, teacup breed may be happy with a quick run around the yard. A larger, more active breed may want to walk several miles a day. If you aren’t able to meet your dog’s activity needs, consider a smaller sized pet. Or, hire a dog walker who can stop by each day for exercise time. A simple way to stay active with your dog is to throw a ball or a frisbee in the backyard.

 

Meet With Friends

It’s important for both you and your pet to meet with friends. Schedule outings to interesting places that are pet-friendly. You’ll get in a great walk at the park or a stroll through the pet store and so will your dog. You may also want to consider play dates for your dog so they can be socialized to properly behave with other dogs. If you don’t have friends with dogs, an afternoon at a doggy daycare may be a great solution for you.

Monitor Weight Gain

You should monitor weight gain for both you and your pet. As we age, many of us are more likely to slow down and reduce our activity level. If you don’t find yourself walking with your dog as frequently, or your dog’s metabolism is slowing down with age, you may notice weight gain. If your dog is acting more sluggish or seems to have low energy, this may indicate they are gaining weight and need to have their food amount or type adjusted. Speak to your veterinarian if you feel this is an issue for your pet.

Pick the Right Food

It’s just as important that you choose the right food for your dog as it is for you. Be certain to look at your dog’s life stage (puppy or senior) and their lifestyle (sedentary or active). If you notice a weight gain, you may want to restrict treats and increase exercise. Remember, pets should never be fed table scraps. A dog treat puzzle toy is an excellent way to keep your pet mentally active and stimulated.

Purina hosted a YouTube Live with Dr. Kurt Venator to discuss how pet owners can keep their pets fit and healthy.Purina aims to drive the health and well-being of pets and their owners so they can live bigger, healthier and happier lives together. For more information, please visit www.purina.com and PetCentric.