How to Care for an Elderly Border Collie

The border collie has a reputation for being a highly active dog that requires plenty of mental stimulation to live a contented life. However, as your border collie enters its senior years, it will eventually begin to show less interest in exercise. The border collie is a generally healthy breed that has a life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years, according to DogBreedInfo.com. You can ensure that your dog continues to have a good quality of life during old age by providing the suitable care, exercise and veterinary treatment.

Provide a padded dog bed that will keep your border collie comfortable, while also supporting sore joints. Position the bed next to a radiator to keep your dog warm during winter.

Allow your collie to exercise as much or as little as it wants to by giving it the opportunity to go for short walks and giving it access to your backyard. Dog Psychologist Cesar Millan advises that an elderly dog should be able to go outdoors even if it's not interested in walking far because it will enjoy being outside. Take your dog swimming if it's able because this is an effective activity for keeping a senior dog physically fit without putting pressure on its joints, according to CesarsWay.com.

Place food and water in a place that is easy for your collie to get to. Ensure that your dog does not need to walk up or down steps, for example. Take the food to your dog if it finds it difficult to get to where the food is.

Avoid scolding or punishing your border collie if it passes excrement in an inappropriate place. Understand that as an older dog, your collie may experience a weak bladder, which can cause it to have accidents. Clean up the mess and forget about it.

Take your collie to see a qualified veterinarian on a regular basis. Remember that when taking your dog to the veterinary clinic, it may need help getting in and out of the car, due to its age.