Senior Dog Comfort & Care

If your dog gets anxious, repetitive activities can calm the nerves, increase focus, and take the edge off. For humans, this may be knitting, building models, or coloring. Chewing, licking, and sniffing work much the same way for dogs.

Dogs need to chew! While your senior may not be as voracious of a chewer as they used to be, daily chew time gives them a chance to work those jaw muscles.

Schmear a bit of wet food, peanut butter, or low-fat Greek yogurt onto a licking mat and allow your dog to lick to their heart’s content. You can freeze the schmear for a longer-lasting treat and for hot weather. Licking mats are a great calming distraction for dogs who obsessively lick when they’re anxious (Tip #71).

Sniffing has been shown to lower a dog’s heart rate. The part of the brain activated by sniffing is the same area that releases dopamine – a “feel good” chemical. Beyond allowing your dog lots of chances to sniff, you can use snuffle mats or treat scatters at mealtime. Consider setting up a scent garden and spritzing a few different dog-friendly scents before letting your dog explore it.