Hi, it's me Luna again! This post has some more information about the elderly canine friends and how to take good care of them. I truly believe dog owners should pay special attention to them, they deserve to have the best senior dog life!
When is a dog considered senior?
This really depends on each individual. In general giant breeds are considered aging faster then the small ones. Overall speaking small size dogs are considered senior around the age of 9 while medium/large breeds can considered elderly earlier around 7-8 years old.
Another thing to keep in mind is that emotional maturity doesn't necessarily aligns with physical maturity. For example an 10 month old pup may be socially and sexually active but full maturity isn't achieved until age of 3 to 4 years.
What are the signs of ageing?
The most physical complaints vets hear are loss of vision, hearing, teeth, immunity, energy and muscle tone. This goes together with gaining weight and arthritis or other joint problems.
Which are the mayor diseases/health concerns?
-cancer
-heart disease
-kidney/urinary tract disease
-liver disease
-diabetes
-joint or bone disease
-senility
-weakness: Difficulty standing up or sitting
To what can you pay extra attention to improve their lives?
1. Teeth
Generally it is very impawtant to brush all dogs teeth. For elder dogs it is extra important to do more general teeth check ups to prevent dental diseases and decay. If possible the best option is to brush your dogs teeth daily, in case your dog doesn't accept this you can ask your vet to recommend you good 'plaque off products' like treats or chewing bones or powder to add to the food.
2. Keep a daily exercise routine.
You may have to modify the amount or intensity of training routine you have but make sure to keep your dog moving every single day. Not only it is important in order to prevent your dog from becoming obese but also for their mental well being. In case your dog is showing signals of pain visit your vet and discuss alternative training routines. For dogs with arthritis I highly recommend considering hydrotherapy or underwater treadmill therapy. Although this option may be 'more expensive or time consuming' this is the best way to exercise older dogs since buoyancy is used to counteract the painful effects of gravity. Studies have shown that many elderly dogs feel no or less pain while working out in the water. Ofcourse it is necessary to find a professional specialized in rehabilitation/hydrotherapy to guide your dog safely into this new form of exercise.
Exercise not only your dogs body but also their mind! This can be done very effectively with small search games and puzzles. This way you keep your dog senses sharp and you can have a nice time with your furiend. It is recommended to always supervise your dog while playing with puzzles and toys.
3. Evaluate your dogs diet.
As mentioned before aged dogs are more sensitive for developing obesity, this is caused mainly by the fact that they no longer have the same levels of energy as before and therefore run and play less often. There are several special senior dog diets on the market. The difference is that they are most of the time lower in fat and have fewer calories, sometimes they contain also extra added glucosamine or chondroitin.
Warning! Always analyze the actual ingredients of your new dog food, it is not the case that when the package states 'senior diet' it is also effectively and suitable for your beloved furiend. In case of doubt give a call to your vet or consult a qualified pet nutritionist.
5. keep a diary for your dog!
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