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 For
your dog pets to enjoy time with you, they must always be in good health. Like
you, if the pets are feeling pain they are unable to feel the mood of having
fun!
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 Old
age is not a disease
As a result of advances in
veterinary medicine, more knowledgeable care and improved nutrition,
dogs are now living much longer, healthier lives. But, just as for
humans, the passage of time has its effects, and you may begin to
notice that your once-frisky pet seems to have slowed down a bit.
Being aware of the natural changes that can occur as your dog reaches
his or her golden years, as well as what you can do to help keep
your pet as healthy, active and comfortable as possible, can ensure
that you both enjoy this final stage in your dog's life to the fullest.
 How-and
when-will I know that my dog is getting “old”?
As dogs move into the geriatric
phase of their lives, they experience gradual changes that are remarkably
like those of aging humans: hair turns grey, their bodies are not
as limber and reflexes not as sharp as they once were, hearing,
eyesight and the sense of smell may deteriorate and energy levels,
as well as attention spans, seem to diminish. In fact, the first
sign of aging is often a general decrease in activity, combined
with a tendency to sleep longer and more soundly. Such signs may
begin to manifest themselves before 8 years in large breeds like
Great Danes, while smaller breeds can remain youthful until 12 years
and even longer. Furthermore, a healthy dog, especially one that
has been spayed or neutered before 6 months, will most likely age
later than one that has been affected by disease or environmental
problems early in life. Again, as with humans, the aging process
will vary with the individual. Your veterinarian will be able to
judge when it's time to consider your pet a “senior”.
Checkup
time now comes twice a year
 As
your dog ages, regular checkups at the veterinarian’s become
more important than ever. In fact, at this stage of your pet’s
life, it is recommended that he or she receive a thorough examination
every 6 months, as adult dogs can age as much as 3 years (in
human terms) within the period of one calendar year. Besides
the usual complete physical examination, your veterinarian
may conduct a urine and fecal analysis and blood work. Ultrasound
and other imaging tests may be recommended to detect early
heart or internal organ changes. |
Keep
your vet informed
Most importantly, you should
tell your veterinarian about any noticeable change in your dog's
physical condition or behavior. A problem that you may assume is
simply related to your pet's advanced age may actually be the result
of a treatable medical condition. For example, your dog's reluctance
to exercise may not stem from the normal decrease in energy that
comes with age, but from arthritis or a heart condition - both of
which can be managed with the proper treatment. Regular, semi-annual
checkups can thus help your veterinarian work out a suitable preventative
health program for your pet and catch any problems sufficiently
early to provide effective treatment. Working together, you can
both ensure that your dog's senior years will be healthy and happy
ones.
Something to chew on
 As
your pet ages, your dog’s nutritional needs may also change.
You may find that, although your pet is eating less, he still
puts on weight. This could be due to a slowdown of his metabolism
or a decrease in his activity. Excess weight can aggravate
many canine medical conditions, including heart, respiratory,
skin and joint problems. To help a portly pet reduce, try feeding
smaller quantities of food or gradually switch to a diet that
is lower in calories. Other dogs have entirely the opposite
problem—they lose weight as they age, sometimes as the result
of heart or periodontal disease or diabetes. In either case,
ask your veterinarian for advice about your pet’s individual
nutritional requirements.
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Put comfort on the menu
You should also ensure that
your dog is comfortable while eating. Most pet owners place food
dishes and water bowls on the floor, but this may be a source of
discomfort for a large or overweight dog, or for one whose arthritis
makes it difficult—or even painful—to bend down. Many pet supply
outlets have eating tables that are specially designed with cut-outs
for food and water containers and are available in various heights
to suit various sizes of dogs. Or you can fashion your own inexpensive
solution to this problem: for example, a plastic crate covered in
a towel to absorb spills.
Senior
dog food do’s & don’ts
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Do make sure that your dog’s diet includes at least 18%
high-quality protein and 5% fat per serving. |
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Do consider, in consultation with your veterinarian, increasing
the level of fibre in his diet, especially if he suffers
from frequent constipation. |
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Don’t feed your dog between-meal snacks or table scraps. |
The
top 10 health tips for senior dogs
- Take your dog to his or her veterinarian for twice-yearly
checkups.
- Become informed about conditions and diseases common
to senior dogs, be on the lookout for symptoms and, should
they arise, inform your dog’s veterinarian promptly.
- Feed your dog the best food you can afford and consider
giving him two small meals a day rather than one large one.
- Don’t overfeed—obesity causes many health problems and
may shorten your dog’s life.
- Consider, on your veterinarian’s recommendation, the
use of dietary supplements such as glucosamine/chondroitin
for arthritis. Your veterinarian may recommend daily pain
medication.
- Make sure your dog receives adequate exercise, according
to his physical capacities.
- Look after your dog’s dental health. Brush his teeth
daily and have them cleaned professionally when your veterinarian
so advises.
- Have your veterinarian do a risk assessment to determine
an appropriate vaccination protocol for your dog.
- Do your utmost to control ticks and fleas and make sure
your dog and his environment (his bed, play area, etc.)
are always spotlessly clean.
- Give your dog lots of love and attention and do all you
can to keep him interested, active, happy and comfortable.
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