Dog health issues inevitably increase as your dog gets older. A large breed dog is often considered senior when he is only 8 or 9 years old while younger dogs usually aren’t considered senior until they are 10 to 12. Regardless, your responsibility to your senior dog increases since it’s up to you to ease the symptoms of old age.

Managing Joint Problems

As your dog gets older, he is more likely to suffer from joint problems such as hip dysplasia and arthritis. Unless you opt for surgery, there isn’t much you can do to prevent this. However, there are ways to ease your dog’s symptoms.

Provide him with thick, comfortable bedding, which will ease pressure on his joints when he’s lying down. Heated and water beds are also available to relieve joint pain.

Don’t expect him to jump in your car or walk down large flights of stairs. Avoid stairs where possible and provide him with ramps to get on and off furniture as well as in and out of the car.  read more here