Keeping a Senior Dog Comfortable during Winter

[Loriann Clayton-Bethard]

Our 8 month old doodle, Kaleida, is loving his first winter experiences, but  heck, he LOVES everything!! Overall, his energy and enthusiasm for life have  been a positive influence on our Irish Terrier, Bozouki, who will be 13 years  old in January. My question is about Bozouki. We feed her Canidae for  Senior/Overweight dogs and give her a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement daily.  Her hips are quite stiff and have lost quite a bit of strength, although she can  still navigate the steps in our two story home to sleep with us in our 2nd floor  bedroom at night. She has a sensitive area on her back knee that has become  black because she licks it so much, but the vet told us she was not concerned  about the spot. The cold weather seems to make Bozouki a bit more stiff, although she  goes outside for only short potty breaks and then wears her coat and boots. I  know she's old, but I was just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on  how to minimize the "aches and pains" in her old joints this winter  season.....which has started early this year and may be a long one! Thanks in  advance, Loriann (from Kansas City).

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I would suggest trying a fish oil supplement  for Bozouki. Here is an article that gives recommended dosing, etc but you could do some additional research before trying it and/or check with your vet.  I would also suggest starting with less than the recommended dose and working up to it if you decide to use it.

http://http://www.examiner.com/article/what-you-don-t-know-about-fi...

Another article I read recently discussed how long nails on older dogs can really increase their joint pain because it throws their structure out of alignment.  So if Bozouki's nails have gotten longer you might see some improvement by cutting them shorter.

[Loriann Clayton-Bethard]

Thanks!!! That is great info, and I will do some research on fish oil and dosages. Also, interesting that you mention nails. She has always HATED to have her nails cut....tried a drimmel and a couple of different styles of clippers, and ended up just having the groomer at the vet do them. She has mellowed some in her senior years, and now willingly lets us put her boots on and take them off, and this also seems to have helped with nail trimming too. I can usually do 2 or 3 nails at a time now before she gets too grouchy. They are probably still a bit on the long side though, so I'll see how often she will let me trim them this week. Thanks again!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I can sure relate to this Loriann. Tara hates to have her nails trimmed and I feel like I am slowly losing the battle!  She won't let a dremel near her either.  I tried yesterday and it was my first total fail. She was jumping around like she was about to have her paw removed instead of a nail trim. Ugh. So I wish you success in your effort!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

As I mentioned in TFG, I would ask your vet about laser therapy, hydrotherapy, or maybe even acupuncture. These seem to be helping to reduce JD's discomfort and the inflammation from his ruptured lumbar disc. 

[Loriann Clayton-Bethard]

Thanks again, Karen! I never even considered these options, so I'll ask the vet for some referrals for area providers.

[Sue and Buddy]

I used a dog warming pad in my old lab's bed. The warming pads made for dogs are low wattage and have a thermostat that keeps them around 103 degrees F or so. They don't get hot like a heating pad. A heating pad should not be used because they get too hot and could burn the dog. The warming pad helps the dog maintain his body temp which is really helpful on the cold floors. I know you have a puppy, too, so this wouldn't work if the puppy could get to the pad and chew the pad

[Christine & Camus]

In addition to all of the other great suggestions a therapeutic dog bed may help.

[Sally S Miles]

Keeping her warm is going to go a long way, whether a bed with reflective properties or electric (though puppy may get interested in that one) and a good thick cushioning. 

The dog may be going up the stairs, but it's hurting and I can assure you that her determination is all that is getting her up them - stairs on bad joints is a snarky pain. The supplements will help, but going up those steps is tough. 

Does your chewing gum lose it's flavor on the bedpost? Well - cold does that to joints - makes them stiff like old gum - moving keeps them flexible. Heat loosens them up and a hot bath, heat bag, warm anything helps.

[Loriann Clayton-Bethard]

The chewing gum was a fantistic visual for me!

[Loriann Clayton-Bethard]

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone! Bozouki loves her "cave" in our carpeted bedroom which is behind a chair, against an interior wall with a deluxe bed for her......and Kaleida loves the cave now too! So, I've been thinking about finding a place to create a "cave" on the first level, although the first level is all hardwood floors with area rugs. The tips about the stairs and keeping a warm bedding area confirm that I need to move in that direction though. Kaleida has proven to be intrigued by ALL electrical cords, so I'm going to see what kind of warming beds I can find without "power." I could keep Kaleida away from Bozouki's new space, but Zouki seems to enjoy the company of the little fella.....who is now larger than she is. Maybe it's his body heat!! Thanks again everyone! 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We have a closet turned into a cave ;) Spud loves his cave too

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Ask your vet first since aspirin is very tough on even a good tummy but we were to give my dog a baby aspirin with each meal. We had to make sure to be conscientious of any tummy issues if and when and it did serm to help.
We also took the couch cushions off his couch and lined them up for him on the floor and added a blanket. This way he was cozy with us at night while we were watching TV and we could get down there with him.
In the end I never let him just freely outside in the winter. Snow was shoveled in the yard to create paths so he could walk safely. I think that was the hardest issue for him was walking on uneven snow that when it became colder and froze creating ruts, he had a horrible time walking.
My husband's dog always had a sweater on ad she just froze even inside the house