You might see that happy, fluffy ball of energy when you look into the face of your pet. After all, it's hard not to picture them as a puppy or a kitten. While pets are some of the best things in our lives, the sad truth is that they get older and leave us much faster than we would like. As your pet ages, just like a human, its needs will change. Long before it happens, it is worth looking for compassionate pet cremation services so that you know when the time comes; you don't need to arrange anything. In the meantime, here are some great tips for making sure that your pet gets the best in terms of care. 

They might not be able to jump up on the couch anymore, and they may walk a little slower than they used to - but it is more important than ever to keep your ageing pet active. As they age, their joints might become painful, and you might be hesitant to keep them active - so to avoid pain. However, your dog's muscle mass is what keeps its metabolism running. The more muscle mass they lose, the more likely they will head into faulty syndrome, which sadly speeds up the ageing process. Work with your vet to make sure you have a good care plan that involves gentle activity. 

Just like us, when we are tired or cold, we want something warm and comforting. To help your dog relax and ease any swollen or inflamed joints, switch their regular dog bed out for a heated dog bed or an orthopaedic dog bed. A good night's rest or even a well-deserved nap can help your dog if they are in pain or suffering from stiffness as they get older. If a heated dog bed or an orthopaedic dog bed is out of the budget, then you can consider a warm hot water bottle to help keep their bed nice and cosy. 

Perhaps when your dog was a puppy, you made some changes to the environment to help them. Like building or adding smaller steps so they could easily get in and out of the garden. Or a little step up to the couch. It's time to consider which changes might help your ageing dog have a better quality of life. Carpeting is typically the best option to stop elderly dogs from slipping; if it isn't possible to add more carpeting and rugs to the floor, specialised dog socks can help with stability. Another thing to consider is how far down your dog needs to bed to get to their food and water. There are dog bowl supports that can raise the bowls to a more comfortable position and height for your dog. However, you can simply put them on some boxes as a cheaper alternative. As your dog ages, it can also be worth considering that they might begin to forget where their food and water are - so adding some extra bowls around the house can help avoid dehydration. Taking care of your ageing dog is something that they deserve, and it is your job to do it to the best of your ability. 

If you don't have a dog yet and are just looking at all of the fun you have yet to come, here are some great tips: 6 Things Every New Dog Owner Needs to Know.