Is there anything special I should do around the house to help him?
If he’s used to getting up and walking around at night, try to keep nightlights in his usual spots to help him navigate the halls. His dexterity may start to wane, too, so adding non-slip pads to throw rugs and reducing other risks of falls will help him feel less like an old dog and more like his old self.

If he’s used to sleeping in your bed, you may notice that he no longer has the strength or energy to hop up as easily as before. Some dogs adjust easily to this and find themselves a new sleeping spot, while others try over and over to jump into bed as though nothing were wrong. If you want him in bed with you and can’t stand the thought of him sleeping alone, invest in a small ramp or stepstool like those used for elderly humans. If he seems to be fine sleeping on the floor next to your bed, you can find a wide array of thick, orthopedic cushion beds specially made for older dogs or those with joint problems. These reduce the risk of tripping as he gets in and out of bed, but they’re also super-comfy and will help his joints feel better. Encourage him to use the new bed and praise him when he does. Soon enough, you won’t be able to convince him to even try to get into your bed… he’ll prefer his!

Try to help him avoid stairs by moving his food, bed, or other necessities where possible. If you live in a two-story home, your aging pup may start to prefer living entirely on the first floor but still want to be a part of your lives. If this is the case, minimize the time he spends by himself by encouraging the family to spend more time in areas he can easily navigate. Set his bed up in the dining room so he can lay in comfort while still feeling like a part of the family. If main areas of activity like TV rooms are both upstairs and downstairs, make an effort to use those on the first floor and pay special attention to him.

If he has joint problems or is a large-breed dog, place his food and water dishes on an elevated platform rather than on the floor. This will reduce the number of times he has to bend down, meaning that his joints will have less stress placed on them. It also reduces his risk of conditions like bloat.

This is getting really hard. He keeps peeing everywhere. What am I supposed to do?
There’s not much you can do. It’s not because he’s misbehaving or forgot how he was trained, it’s because he can’t help it. This is again similar to what happens in humans – as they age, their bladders become less and less effective. Lack of control is a common side effect. Believe it or not, this is possibly more stressful for him than for you. While you have to clean up after him, he has to feel like he’s disappointing his best friend, losing control of his own body, and missing out on his usual routine all at the same time. To rule out any infections, take him to the vet when his accidents first start occurring so he can be tested for urinary tract problems.

You can help him feel better and help avoid accidents by taking him outside more frequently. If he used to go on walks three times daily, try to double that. It may seem like a big commitment, but would you rather be outside enjoying nature with your buddy or inside quietly fuming because you have to clean the carpet yet again? Oh, and you really should be quietly fuming. Incontinence is not something your pup does by choice, it’s a byproduct of the aging process. Yelling and screaming at him will only make him feel worse, increase his stress level, and help him age faster.

What about his food? Can he eat the same stuff he always has?
Yes and no. There’s really no need to change your dog’s food unless you notice extreme weight gain or loss, that it seems to hurt his teeth, or your vet says he needs an extra amount of certain vitamins. But even if you don’t change his food, you’ll probably want to invest in a monthly dose of vitamin supplements for aging dogs. Talk to your vet to find out which is best for your dog, then make sure he gets one every morning. This should help his new nutritional needs for the most part.

Again, going out for a daily brisk walk will even help your dog’s nutritional situation. If he seems to be packing on the pounds, the walk can jumpstart his metabolism. If he’s shedding weight like there’s no tomorrow, the walks can build his muscle mass and help him bulk up.

If it seems as though his hard food is hurting his teeth, talk with your vet about mixing dry and wet food or feeding him exclusively wet food. This can help his tooth pain, but it also means that he won’t be getting the side benefit of having his teeth cleaned by his food. Your veterinarian can help adjust your teeth-cleaning routine to accommodate this new need.

While there are many packaged dry foods for older dogs available on the market, they may not be necessary for your pooch. The most important aspect of changing your older dog’s food is speaking with his veterinarian. Don’t go by trial and error, since this can lead to serious side effects and nutritional deficiencies in your pup. The vet will help you plot a more definite course toward improving and fine-tuning your dog’s diet.